Earlier this year, the attraction returned to its historic Ober Gatlinburg name, reconnecting with its longtime identity while continuing to expand its offerings for visitors.
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (SMOKIES.LIVE) — Ober Gatlinburg is celebrating summer with its Black Bear & Berry Jam Festival, a three-weekend event featuring live entertainment, wildlife programs, local artisans and berry-themed food and drinks.
The festival runs Friday through Sunday on July 10-12, July 17-19 and July 24-26, highlighting the Great Smoky Mountains’ black bears and the region’s natural beauty while showcasing several new attractions at the mountain park.
A centerpiece of each festival weekend is Ober’s Wildlife Habitat, where visitors can see rescued black bears, bobcats, river otters, birds of prey, reptiles and other native wildlife. Guests seeking a closer look can reserve VIP Behind the Scenes Wildlife Habitat Tours offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The tours are limited to six people and require advance reservations.
Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy live music on the Pepsi Soundstage, browse local arts and crafts vendors, and sample berry-inspired foods, desserts and beverages.
On Saturday, July 18, wildlife biologists and conservation experts will present educational programs about black bear habitat, behavior, diet and ways to safely coexist with bears in the Smokies.
That same day, the festival will feature a Kids Market, where entrepreneurs ages 5 to 17 will sell handmade products and original creations. Club 80’s Rewind is scheduled to perform classic hits from the 1980s during the afternoon.
The festival also highlights several attractions introduced this summer, including a new outdoor archery range and a nine-hole disc golf course, both accessible by the Challenge Lift. The lift also provides access to the expanded Downhill Mountain Bike Park, which now includes a skills course for riders of varying experience levels.
Families can also experience the park’s new Summer Tubing attraction, featuring three elevated lanes with rolling hills and downhill drops.
Earlier this year, the attraction returned to its historic Ober Gatlinburg name, reconnecting with its longtime identity while continuing to expand its offerings for visitors.
Guests who purchase Adventure or Fun Passes in advance can receive a $10 discount. Festival schedules, ticket information and reservations are available through Ober Gatlinburg.
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