Home

Elkmont Synchronous Fireflies

This box was inspired by a Smoky Mountain backpacking trip with my sister. Every year in early June there is a species of firefly that gathers in only two places in the U.S. – Elkmont, Smoky Mt National Park in Tennesse and Congaree National Park in South Carolina. There is a lottery system to see this event, but only at the front country campsites. I knew nothing of this event or that it even existed when I selected the backcountry campsites for our trip that year. Earlier that day I got a text from the national park service about parking closures for the synchronous firefly event. I payed no mind because I didn’t know what it was about and we continued on our day. We entered the backcountry at around 1 pm and reached our campsite at 4. As we got in our tents after dinner that night, not another soul out there, with the sounds of the rushing river in the dark woods, slowly little fireflies began to appear one by one. My sister and I lay in our tents watching as we were preparing for sleep. More and more fireflies appeared. As I watched them I noticed they started to sync up their flashing. They would flash on and off and then go dark, at the same time. I told my sister and she didn’t believe me but then saw what I was talking about. More and more fireflies appeared. We jumped out of our tents and watched as the forest filled with thousands and thousands of twinkling lights, all appearing and going dark at the same time. It was total magic! This box attempts to embody that experience. We were blessed by God that night in a dazzling and mysterious display of His creation. Just as the still small voice speaks to our hearts, the most gentle yet brilliant beauty showed up in the quiet forest that night.

“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”
1 Kings 19:11

Thank you for supporting Starry Coral Creations.

Hunsader Farms Fall Festival 2025