What is ChristyFest™?

ChristyFest™ (CF for short) is a festival to celebrate Christy the Novel, Christy the TV Series, and the Christy PAX Movies. It began in 1997 and has grown over the years to cover related interests including mountain crafts, story teling, and southern mountain culture and history. ChristyFest™ is held annually in Townsend, Tennessee where the television series was filmed. ChristyFest™ is organized by a group of volunteers known as the Planning Team. You can read about previous years of ChristyFest™ in the Archives.

What is the story behind Christy as a Novel?

Christy is a novel written by Catherine Marshall and published in 1967. It is historical fiction heavily based on the real life experiences of her mother, Leonora Whitaker Wood, who went to teach in Morgan Gap, TN, in 1909. Catherine used actual events and the people of Morgan Gap to create the story of Christy Huddleston, for whom the book is named. Reading about Christy, the Novel will tell you more about its creation.

What is the history of Christy on Television?

In 1994 Christy was made into a TV series and aired on CBS. Nineteen episodes were produced before the series was canceled. Christy, the Series will tell you more about the television series. A few years later PAX Television [now Ion] produced series of television movies bringing resolution to the series. You can read more about this in the Main Information section Christy, the Movies.

Why is ChristyFest™ held in Townsend?

The entire Christy TV series, with the exception of one episode, was filmed on location in Townsend, Tennessee and in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Surrounded by the beauty of the mountains that have come to symbolize Christy, Townsend is a quiet town which blends beauty and amenities to make for an enjoyable stay.

What film sites are easily accessible?

One episode, Echoes, was partly filmed at the Museum of Appalachia which has a modest display of memorabilia from the filming of Christy as well as the log structures used in the filming which are of special interest to Christy fans. Also, located on the Foothills Parkway, north of Townsend is the Look Rock Observation Area where a number of scenes were filmed. Near the parking lot for the observation tower, you can visit Look Rock which was filmed as "God's Fist" in the episode, The Hunt. Additionally, the Pilot, Lost and Found, and other segments of episodes were also filmed in and around this area. However, if venturing into this area we caution visitors to adhere to park rules, wear suitable clothing and stay on the trails.

Are there activities at ChristyFest™ for kids?

ChristyFest™ does not offer specific activities for children, but you may find some of our scheduled workshops and activities may be enjoyable for your children depending on their age. Occasionally, our workshops do carry an age minimum. Further details can be found on the Schedule page. All children under 18 must be attended by a responsible adult. Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer opportunities for families to enjoy the history and the beauty of the mountains. You will find more information in the FAQ section about Townsend Attractions.

What are the historical connections of Christy?

The book Christy is based on the real life adventures of Catherine Marshall's mother, Leonora Whitaker. Leonora left her home in December of 1909 to travel to Del Rio, Tennessee to teach at the Ebenezer Mission in Morgan Gap. When Catherine wrote Christy, she fictionalized her story by changing the names of the people and the places. For instance, Del Rio became El Pano and Morgan Gap became Cutter Gap. Many of the events in the book actually happened to Leonora and John Wood, the young minister whom she met at the mission and eventually married.

What is the Ebenezer Mission Site/Christy Mission Site in Del Rio?

The Ebenezer Mission Site [also called the Christy Mission] is in Del Rio and is where Leonora, Catherine Marshall's mother, taught. A guided visit to the historical locations relating to Christy is part of ChristyFest™ and is included in the Schedule.