Sevierville, Tenn. – May 29, 2015 – The best nights for viewing nature’s most spectacular light show, the Elkmont fireflies event, have been announced for June 2-9, when the Smokies will be set aglow by the synchronous fireflies of the Smoky Mountains. The event can only be witnessed at the Elkmont viewing area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the purchase of a parking pass for the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area.
(TRAVPR.COM) USA - June 5th, 2015 - Sevierville, Tenn. – May 29, 2015 – The best nights for viewing nature’s most spectacular light show, the Elkmont fireflies event, have been announced for June 2-9, when the Smokies will be set aglow by the synchronous fireflies of the Smoky Mountains. The event can only be witnessed at the Elkmont viewing area in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the purchase of a parking pass for the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area.
A total of 85 parking passes will be sold for each day of the event for $1.50. These 85 passes will be available for purchase at 10 a.m. on the day before the event and will be available until 3:30 p.m. on the day of the event or until they are sold out. Passes do sell out quickly, often within minutes of going on sale, so those interested in purchasing passes should be ready to buy as soon as they go on sale. These passes admit one vehicle with up to six passengers. For more information regarding purchasing passes, take a look at: Elkmont fireflies event details.
On each night of the event, trolleys will transport attendees to the Elkmont viewing area for $1 per person. The first trolley will leave the parking lot for the viewing area at 7 p.m. The trolleys will make runs until approximately 9:30 p.m. Viewers should plan to arrive back at their vehicles anywhere from 3-6 hours after arriving.
About the Elkmont Fireflies
The Elkmont fireflies, or Photinus carolinus, are one of at least 19 species of fireflies found in the national park, but they are the only ones in the Smokies – and the United States – to flash synchronously. This phenomenon peaks every year during an eight-day stretch when the concentration of insects displaying – or flashing – is the highest.
With no scientific explanation for why they only display in unison, the Elkmont fireflies’ synchronized flashing patterns are a mystery. Competition might be behind the behavior, with males offering better comparison by flashing all at once, or the insects might be trying to be the first flash. The fireflies do not always synchronize their lights, with random flashes throughout the crowd in between short periods of synchrony that end abruptly.
Established in 2009, Visit My Smokies is the only site you need for your Smoky Mountain vacation, offering information on area cabin rentals, attractions, dining, shopping and more. Owned by Sevier County, Tenn., the initiative focuses on promoting travel and tourism within Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville while ensuring Smoky Mountain vacationers enjoy the best visitor experience possible. For more information about Visit My Smokies, visit www.visitmysmokies.com.
Contact:
Chelsea Morgan
chelsea@imegonline.com
305 Elm St.
Sevierville, Tenn.
(865) 679-9306
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