Cosby is located in Cocke County, deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, only minutes away
from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, in East Tennessee. Cosby is one of the best kept secrets of the
Smokies. It lies between the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Pisgah National Forest and
Cherokee National Forest. Cosby is home to the second largest trailhead and campground in the
park. The Cosby Campground offers numerous hiking trails and quiet pinic areas. Other outdoor
activities such as horseback riding, hiking, whitewater rafting, swimming, golfing, and fishing
can also be enjoyed. Cosby is known for it's annual Ramp Festival, held each May, and is the
oldest on going festival in Tennessee.
Although Cosby is now a quiet community, it was once the Moonshine Capital of the World. The town
now has the On Cosby Festival, held in October, which celebrates the authentic history of the
region. The festival is filled with local arts and crafts, Appalachian Mountain music, folklore
and some of the best food in East Tennessee. On the first day the On Cosby drama written by
Delmar Baxter, a Cosby native, is performed. The drama is a fictional look at the mountain way of
life during the Great Depression, and how it became known as the Moonshine Capital of the World.
The festival which began as an attempt to recognize the history and identity of the Cosby
community has become one of the most unique festivals in America.
