Third annual event set for November 3, 2018

TOWNSEND, Tenn. — The date of the third annual Grains and Grits event, a festival of Southern spirits and gourmet grub, has been set for November 3, 2018.

This event will bring together whiskey lovers, distillers and culinary enthusiasts from across the country to celebrate the culture of whiskey, spirits and distilling in Tennessee. Set in Townsend, Tennessee, on the Peaceful Side of the Smoky Mountains, the festival is sure to appeal to a wide variety of spirit and food aficionados.

This announcement comes just after the 2017 Grains and Grits Festival, arranged and hosted by the Tennessee Distillers Guild and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, on November 4. This year’s event was the second occurance of the festival and served as the East Tennessee celebration of the new Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a 26-stop distillery tour across the state of Tennessee organized by the Tennessee Distillers Guild. All 26 distilleries gathered for the celebration at the Townsend Visitors’ Center and met over 700 fans, whiskey enthusiasts, spirit novices and foodies.

The 2017 festival showcased Tennessee whiskey legends, such as Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg and George Dickel Distillery in Tullahoma, as well as craft distilleries like Old Forge Distillery in Pigeon Forge, Old Glory Distilling Co. in Clarksville and H Clark Distillery in Thompson’s Station.

Grains and Grits 2017 was a huge success, and we’re so glad it could be hosted in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” said Kim Mitchell, director of tourism at STMDA. “Next year’s festival is sure to feature similar names to this year, but we’re excited to start making plans for an even bigger and better event.

More details about next year’s Grains and Grits Festival will be available later in 2018 via the event’s website GrainsAndGritsFest.com.

More information about The Peaceful Side of the Smokies, where to stay, where to eat and what to do can be found at SmokyMountains.org.

For more information about the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, visit TNWhiskeyTrail.com.