An old-time music jam is part of the Holiday Homecoming at Oconaluftee. Image courtesy of GSMNP.

It’s Holiday Homecoming time again at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On Saturday, December 19, 2015, park staff and volunteers will provide hands-on traditional crafts and activities from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Children and adults will have the opportunity to learn about and experience some of the traditions surrounding an Appalachian Christmas. Hot apple cider and cookies will be served on the porch with a fire in the fireplace. From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the park will host the monthly acoustic old-time music jam session. There is an open invitation for musicians to attend and play for visitors as they sing traditional Christmas carols and holiday songs as was done in old days.

“Musical expression was and still is often a part of daily life in the southern mountains, and mountain music is strongly tied to the Smokies history and culture,” said Lynda Doucette, Supervisory Park Ranger, Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

Oconaluftee Visitor Center is located on Newfound Gap Road, two miles north of Cherokee, N.C. For more information, call the visitor center at (828) 497-1904. All activities are free and everyone is invited to attend. Generous support of this event is provided by Great Smoky Mountains Association.