The annual Great Smoky Mountains Salamander Ball is a ball based on the children’s book of the same name by Lisa Horstman. The 2020 event will be held at the Parkway Drive-In Theatre in Maryville for a COVID-adapted version of the “spectacular salamander selebration.” The is event will feature live music from guitarist Bill Mize and a screening of family-friendly movie, The Lorax. With the 2020 event close to Halloween, the event will include a “Car-stume” contest for spookiest, funniest and most unique. Horstman also will hold a special reading of her book. All proceeds support Discover Life in America and its biodiversity conservation work in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.