The event will include the award-winning exhibit featuring 13 sculptures and summer activities
Anakeesta hosts its annual Summer in the Smokies event from June 10 through Sept. 4 Guests can enjoy a mountain of family fun and summertime adventure with extended park hours. Visitors can dance the evening away with daily live music featuring local artists, indulge in savory seasonal eats and treats, and marvel at Sean Kenney’s stunning exhibition.
New this year, Anakeesta welcomes Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO® Bricks produced by Imagine Exhibitions. The award-winning and record-breaking exhibition features larger-than-life works of art made entirely of LEGO bricks. For the first time in Gatlinburg, the limited time exhibition explores the interconnectivity of all living things and humanity’s relationship with nature.
Kenney uses only standard, off-the-shelf, commercially available LEGO pieces for his sculptures – no special colors or shapes. Each piece is connected to another, and the sculptures are built within the rules of the LEGO system. Each sculpture is completely unique and requires tedious detail and countless hours – for example, the towering Hummingbird Feeding Over a Trumpet Flower took over 4 weeks to design and 5 weeks to build with 31,565 LEGO pieces! As stewards of the living earth, Anakeesta hopes the whimsical exhibit inspires guests to appreciate and preserve nature.
Summer inspired dishes and drinks will be on the menu at several of Anakeesta’s four dining venues. Seasonal dishes include Heirloom and Burrata salad, Chicken Piccata, and Southern Fried Chicken. Guests can stay cool for the summer and sip on seasonal cocktails including a Summer Sangria, Mountain Margarita, Raspberry Mojito and more! Beer enthusiasts can enjoy Highland Brewing blends like Hazy Heights and seasonal Peachful.
With extended hours from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., guests can enjoy cool morning breezes and catch breathtaking sunsets over the Smokies and twinkling lights and colorful light displays throughout Vista Gardens and the Treetop Skywalk. Summer in the Smokies is included free with admission and annual pass membership.
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ABOUT ANAKEESTA
Anakeesta is Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s award-winning theme park surrounded by the majestic Smoky Mountains. Anakeesta is a place for adventure and relaxation, exploration and wonder. A place where people of all ages can discover nature and family entertainment. The exploration begins with a scenic chondola ride or Ridge Rambler adventure vehicle to the summit to enjoy all day, unlimited access. Guests can stroll along the nation’s longest Treetop Skywalk and climb Anavista Tower for 360⁰ views from downtown Gatlinburg’s highest point. Walk meandering pathways in Vista Gardens, a multi-sensory botanical garden featuring whimsical art installations, music, and scenic overlooks. TreeVenture and BearVenture challenge courses will delight all ages. Innovative culinary creations and mixology await throughout the park. Thrill seekers can add to the adventure with the Dueling Zipline Adventure course, soar on the Rail Runner Mountain coaster and find treasure at Anakeesta Gem Mining. Anakeesta is
