The Clingmans Dome Information Center closes for the season at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, so park officials hope to move merchandise during the four-day Thanksgiving holiday by offering Dome-related items at 15 percent off, said Lisa Duff, GSMA marketing and membership director. 

“All four days of the extra-long holiday weekend above 6,000 feet will feature sale prices, hot drinks, refreshments and more,” said Duff.

 Also, retired National Park Service Ranger Kim DeLozier will sign his new book, “Bear in the Back Seat,” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee and from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, where he will also give a short talk.  

The October federal government shutdown occurred during the park’s busiest month for sales, leaving the GSMA warehouse full of inventory, said GSMA Executive Director Terry Maddox.

“GSMA lost more than $550,000 in revenue at our park stores, money that can’t easily be made up,” he said. GSMA is the fundraising arm of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. www.smokiesinformation.org or call 888.898.9102, ext. 222 or 254.