Fireflies at Norton Creek: Confirmation of Receipt

Thank you for supporting the Fireflies at Norton Creek fundraising event. All proceeds from this event go to Discover Life in America’s (dlia.org) mission to understand and conserve the biodiversity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Please review all details in this confirmation carefully.

Location and Directions: The venue is remote and cell phone coverage is unreliable; it is a private residence with no physical address to search online or find in a navigation app. Location and direction details are listed below or can be downloaded HERE.

Cancellation policy: If you wish to cancel for any reason, we will refund your tickets if we have been able to re-sell ticket/s. No refunds will be made for cancellations made after May 22nd, 2025.

Credit Card transactions: Your ticket purchase will appear on your credit card statement as, "GB*DiscoverLifeinAmerica."

For any issues with tips to Givebutter: please contact the Givebutter Support Team at support@givebutter.com with your donation reference number (formatted as string of numbers, located on your receipt) and a written request that you would like the tip refunded.

Questions or concerns? Please contact Jaimie Matzko at 865-258-9055 or jaimie@dlia.org.

What to expect

The event will take place at Norton Creek Preserve, a 2000-acre+ private reserve adjacent to the Smokies, where we’ll witness the magical light display of a thriving population of synchronous fireflies. We’ll start the evening with food, drink, and merriment at the incredible Hemlock House. At dusk we’ll descend to our firefly viewing spot on the property.
Plan to arrive around 6:45 EST to allow time to park and get settled in; the event will start around 7:00 EST.
We’ll have a selection of heavy hors d'oeuvres (including vegetarian options) and beverages (wine, beer, sodas, tea).
We’ve prepared a video primer on fireflies and what to expect at the event Updated Firefly video 2025: https://youtu.be/I6i5vBMOtb
Entomologist and DLiA science director Will Kuhn will be available to answer any follow-up firefly questions you may have.
This event is rain or shine; the Smokies region is a temperate rainforest, and the fireflies don’t mind rain.
Around dusk, we will drive from Hemlock House down to the viewing spot (~5 min drive) to see the firefly display; you may leave when you’ve had your fill of the spectacle (viewers typically trickle out around 10:30-11:00).
Chairs will be provided at the viewing spot, and you are welcome to walk around on the paved surface.
Event parking is limited, so please carpool if traveling with a group.
As a courtesy to your fellow guests, the property owners, and the fireflies, smoking during the viewing is frowned upon and will only be permitted in designated areas.
Cancellation policy: No refunds will be given after May 22, 2025.
We will follow the most current CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19.

What to bring

Printed copy of the directions (cell coverage may be unreliable)
Comfortable walking shoes; there will be light walking on paved and gravel surfaces
Flashlight
Blanket (optional, it can get a little cool at the viewing spot)
Raincoat or umbrella
No pets, please
No need to bring your registration receipt; we will check your name off our registrants list

Flashlights & photography

Firefly viewing is best when it’s as dark as possible. Even the dim light from cell phone and camera screens will be blindingly bright, ruin your night vision, and disrupt the fireflies. We’ll have flashlights covered with red cellophane and additional cellophane for your own flashlight. Please use lights sparingly and point them at the ground, not in the eyes of fellow viewers.

Firefly light is dim. Some modern smartphones may be able to pick it up, but to get good photos of the display, you’ll need a digital camera with a tripod to take long exposures (an intervalometer might help, too). Please dim your camera’s screen and practice handling your camera in the dark beforehand, and be courteous to your fellow viewers when taking photos.

Directions to Hemlock house

Location and Directions: The venue is remote and cell phone coverage is unreliable; it is a private residence with no physical address to search online or find in a navigation app. Location and direction details are listed below or can be downloaded and printed HERE.

GOOGLE MAPS LINK: https://goo.gl/maps/oYJFGdHSAkmZtJq17

FROM PIGEON FORGE to Norton Creek Rd: Take HWY 321/441 (the Spur) south toward Gatlinburg. Continue approximately 3 miles past a sign that says “Entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park” and turn right at the Norton Creek/Cove Mountain exit, just after a big curve. Stay left at the immediate fork for Norton Creek Rd. Follow instructions below.

FROM GATLINBURG to Norton Creek Rd: Take HWY 321/441 (the Spur) north toward Pigeon Forge and turn around at Husky Grove/Flat Branch. Now heading south on HWY 321/441 toward Gatlinburg, turn right at the Norton Creek/Cove Mountain exit, just after a big curve. Stay left at the immediate fork for Norton Creek Rd. Follow instructions below.

FROM NORTON CREEK RD to Fireflies Event (~20-min drive): Follow Norton Creek Rd for approximately 5 mi. You will pass through an open set of gates and “private property” signs. Just past the turn-off for Vasey Trillium Way (stay straight on Norton Creek Rd), you’ll see the gate to the property where one of us will check you in. Continue through the gate up the narrow, winding road to the top of the hill. Continue past a gravel driveway on your left and take the second gravel drive when the road forks. You’ll see Hemlock House, left of the drive. Follow the gravel drive past the house, over a small hill and a parking attendant will help you park. Take the path down the stair to Hemlock House, where we’ll greet you. Note: we’ll return to our cars later to drive to the viewing site, so you can leave anything you’d like for the viewing in your car for now.

Questions? Please direct them to Jaimie Matzko on her mobile, (865) 258-9055. Jaimie will be on-site preparing on the day of the event. Reception is bad there; he may be able to receive your texts but probably not your calls. Please look over these directions BEFORE driving to the site.

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Discover Life in America is a nonprofit organization, recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3).

Please retain a copy of this receipt for your record for tax purposes.

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Cozy Cottage Stay & Naturalist-Led Tour on a 162-Acre Smoky Mountain Farm