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Kawasaki Demo Days
Tail of the Dragon & Killboy Tshirt Shack will be hosting the official Kawasaki Demo Truck this coming weekend. Your chance to test ride their latest models and receive $500 towards your purchase of a new Kawi. The Demo rides will be on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm. The Demo route will head south on US129, which is not the Dragon, but does have some nice curves.
We are also looking forward to the Women’s Sportbike Rally coming up this weekend, September 11-13. Still time to register, visit EVENT WEBSITE for more information.
- CLICK HERE for current discounts and special events.
- CLICK HERE for regional accommodations.
- CLICK HERE for helpful info to plan your trip.
Late Summer & Labor Day Weekend
This can be your view from Blue Waters Mountain Lodge, located on Lake Santeetlah and just of US129 on your way to the Dragon. Enjoy the roads and the lake.
Late Summer & Labor Day Weekend…. Take a break from the pavement and enjoy our other natural attractions. There are many creeks and streams home to big brown trout and native trouts in the higher elevations. There are four mountain lakes for fishing, sight seeing or kayaking/canoeing. Rent a jet ski, pontoon boat or houseboat. Several whitewater rafting venues are nearby including the challenging Cheoah River. We have mountain trails aplenty … lots of room to escape the crowds. Zip lines and horseback riding are other unique mountain activities.
- CLICK HERE for regional accommodations.
- CLICK HERE for a good listing of recreation locations, outfitters, marinas, etc.
- CLICK HERE for recreation maps including river and lake details, boat ramps and lakeside camping.
- CLICK HERE for helpful info to plan your trip.
November 2016
The 2017 Events Calendar has been posted. Send us information on your event big or small.
Another year comes to a close at the Tail of the Dragon Tshirt Shack. We will reopen March 2017. Thanks to everyone for making 2016 such a great year at the Tail. We will continue to post updates throughout the winter months, along with some photo highlights from the past years.
Miatas at the Gap
Miata’s at the Gap July 24-26 2015. Stop by the Tshirt Shack for your custom Miatas at the Gap street sign, free MATG stickers, maps and posters all weekend.
July 4 Holiday Details
Join Us for a good old Appalachian 4th of July
FONTANA VILLAGE RESORT (visit website) July 4th Festivity highlights include indoor and outdoor family games, family movies on the Village Green, hikes, lake cruises, and live bands, and BBQ Cookout. THE best fireworks in the Great Smoky Mountain area! Come enjoy the 4th of July festivities and stay all weekend to experience everything Fontana Village has to offer for the whole family! Visit fontanavillage.com or call 828-498-2211 for more information! Fireworks will begin on the 4th at 9:45 pm.
GRAHAM COUNTY HERITAGE FESTIVAL – Robbinsville, NC
Gathering of people, crafts, games, food, music, fireworks. Friday, July 5th Festival opens at 5:00 P.M. with vendors on the Robbinsville Courthouse Square. At 6:P.M. join in the Cornhole Game. Music starts at 5:00 P.M. with the Jones Boys, 6;30 the Fontana Ramblers, and at 8:30 the Steve Jordan Band. Dance or just sit and enjoy the music.
Saturday, July 6th, at 9:00 A.M. The Festival opens with the vendors and all day fun and games for the whole family. Music and entertainment starts at 3:00 P.M. with the J. Creek Cloggers, 4:00 P.M. Native American Dancers and at 5:00 P.M.-8:30 P.M. Live Bands, At 10:00 P.M. FIREWORKS (July 6). Then from 10:30P.M. – 11:30 more heritage fest. music.
BRYSON CITY NC – FREEDOM FEST (visit website) July 4, All Day – Bryson City’s Freedom Fest – Downtown Come join us for an old-fashioned street festival in charming downtown Bryson City. Our annual Fourth of July celebration begins with the Rotary Club Firecracker 5K and then continues with local artisans and crafters, a full day of local entertainment, festival foods, and fun events. July 4, 10 pm – Fireworks in Bryson City
TELLICO PLAINS FIREWORKS SHOW (visit website) on July 3 starting at 6pm with live music and festival followed by a 45 minute fireworks show. Location at the Charles Hall Field behind the Cherohala Visitors Center.
TOWNSEND TN Community Music and Fireworks Celebration starts at 7:30 pm The Music Show will continue until dark and then the Fireworks begin. The Event is free and is located in the Field below The Highland Manor Inn
COPPERHEAD LODGE (visit website) located in the north Georgia Mountains. 4th of July – it’s not too late to spend your holiday in the mountains. Live music and Fireworks at dark on July 4.
TWO WHEELS OF SUCHES (visit website) Celebrate July 4th at TWoS. Cabins & lodge rooms available or camp with us. The July 4th fireworks in Suches are great, free and just a five minute walk from TWoS to Woody Gap School.
June 22, 2015
Late Saturday afternoon a sportbike rider lost his life near mile marker 1 on the Dragon. The Knoxville man was a regular at the Gap. A second bike was involved and the rider was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
June 17 2015
Busy week and weekend at the Tail. An 18 wheeler came in northbound and Killboy was able to get in front to warn oncoming traffic. One rider didn’t heed the warning and ended-up under the rear wheels of the big rig. The rider suffered serious injuries to one arm. This truck driver will likely lose his license after THP get finished writing the tickets. TRUCKERS NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE WARNING SIGNS
Summer Weather Forecasts
Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and Moonshiner 28 Weather: It is typical throughout the summer months for the weather reports in the mountains of western North Carolina to call for 60% chance of thunderstorms. What this really means is there will POSSIBLY be an afternoon shower. These scattered cells are small and short lived. They occur in the period of 2 pm to 4 pm and then the sun returns quickly drying the roads. There is no need to cancel your trip here because the weather says 60% chance of thunderstorms. Many days we don’t even see any rain when its predicted.
Planning Summer Trip
Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day weekend coming up, and there is still time to make last minute plans. Be aware the summer weather forecast for the Smoky Mountains usually indicate thunderstorms every day. However, these are spotty and short lived showers. Still important to bring your rain gear, but complete rain outs are rare. The forecast for the coming weekend looks good with highs in the 80’s and partly cloudy. Lots happening during the holiday weekend,