Join us for the enchanting Firefly Festival held in the evenings of the third weekend in June (20th & 21st). Attendance is exclusive to lottery winners, announced via your email on Wednesday, May 21st, 2024. Limited parking is available, accessible only to those selected via lottery. Each vehicle/lottery ticket admits up how ever many people you can legally fit in your vehicle with a seatbelt. If awarded, admission fee is $25 per lottery winner to be paid before Friday, May 23rd (forgetting to pay will forfeit your winning ticket). 

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Lottery registration is now open for both firefly viewing dates on June 20th or June 21st. If you are announced a lottery winner on May 21st, please reply to the winning email with to your chosen date, as well as paying the $25 admission fee for your vehicle. Once you have chosen your date switching is not permitted. Multiple entries for tickets are allowed at $2 each entry. There are no refunds, transfers, rainchecks or changes to the vehicle registration. Lottery winners must be present in the vehicle and must provide photo identification which matches the name of the lottery winner before vehicle is admitted to the parking area.

Experience a magical night of music, Cherokee National Forest firefly interpretation, as well as astrology education and of course the mesmerizing firefly light show from 9-10PM. Departure is permitted after 10PM to preserve the fireflies' natural environment. Bright lights disrupt their flight, so entry is prohibited after 7:30PM. 

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Registration, including the silent auction art items, will be stationed at the Unaka Ranger Station. The last registration is at 7:30PM; latecomers will be denied entry. Cellphones must remain in vehicles, and all lights must be off; red light flashlights will be provided for safety. Lottery winners will be notified of location and additional details via email on May 21st. By purchasing a $2 lottery ticket, you acknowledge the possibility of not winning and agree to the $25 admission fee if selected. Failure to pay by May 23rd forfeits your spot. For inquiries, contact Molly Boyd, Tourism Director, at (423) 638-4111 or molly@greenecountypartnership.net.