World Famous Moonshiner to Headline Del Rio's 4th of July Celebration

Source: The Newport Plain Talk - 06-04-2005

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DEL RIO— Popcorn Sutton, the self proclaimed “best whiskey maker alive today” will demonstrate the fine art of “moonshine makin” at the Del Rio Preservation Society’s third annual patriotic and cultural festival on Saturday, July 2nd at the Society’s grounds on Highway 107 South in this East Tennessee mountain community.

Sutton, of Maggie Valley, North Carolina, is a frequent visitor to Cocke County, has many friends here and is immediately recognized around the world as an unforgettable character from the Smoky Mountains. He’s the author of a book on his own life, the subject of many film and television documentaries and a much sought after expert on “mountain dew.”

Beginning at 10 a.m. the show features local foods, entertainers, children’s games and artists and crafters. Robert Ashley, preacher at Del Rio Church of God on Blue Mill Road will offer the invocation. Bobby Seay of Seay’s Country Store and other local vendors will sell lunches, desserts and beverages.

“The entire Del Rio community will be honored,” said the Society festival planning committee,” as we celebrate our mountain families, showcase our musicians and singers and display much of our history from a hundred years ago.” The old Runnion Store, now owned by James and Evelyn Adams, will be available for tours and local history buffs will share stories and photographs of the growth of the community. “And it will be good to see our friend Popcorn back in the mountains of Del Rio. He’s an interesting fellow,” they said.

Smoky Mountain Fireflies Flash in Unison

From an article in South Eastern Outdoors

The bioluminescent beetles are neither bugs nor flies. But their Tennessee cousins put on dazzling light shows each June for three weeks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Their illuminations become a timeless mating ritual. The Smokies fireflies, unlike most, flash precisely in unison.

Smoky Mountain Field School instructor Wanda DeWaard calls the simultaneous flashing mysterious and magical. For decades Elkmont cabin residents watched these synchronous light shows of the species, Photinus carolinus. They assumed it was like that everywhere, she says.

DeWaard finds the whole process each year to be as magnificent as the last. People come from all walks of life, homemakers to entomologists. At dark, everyone gets very quiet. As flashing starts, you hear sighs of delight, she adds.

Park visitors may attend seminars where Copeland and DeWaard discuss synchronous flashing. There is a class at Sugarlands Visitor Center from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on June 4, cost is $49. Another class meets at Little River trailhead in Elkmont from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on June 6 and June 8, cost is $29. For more information on the seminars or to register please visit www.outreach.utk.edu or call the Smoky Mountain Field School at (865) 974-0150.

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The peak period of the mating behavior can vary each year, but normally begins around the second week in June. Park managers have identified June 8-19 to begin a pilot project to improve crowded conditions, protect Park resources, and improve the viewing experience. Park managers are imposing “no parking” at the trailhead, encouraging visitors to ride the extended trolley service provided by the City of Gatlinburg or carpool with family and friends, designating off-site parking locations at trolley stops, and providing staff to assist with traffic control and to provide on-site nightly walks and talks.

Full details are available here