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Biltmore Estate Hosts 25th Annual Festival of Flowers

The Biltmore Estate is hosting its 25th Festival of Flowers now through May 16, 2010. The Biltmore Gardens will be in full bloom and there are an array of other activities centered around the beauty of spring.

During the Festival of Flowers celebration there will be live music daily in the Winter Garden and in the Conservatory. On the weekends, the Walled Garden will host horticulture professionals for question and answer sessions. Special spring menus will also be available at the Biltmore restaurants and 2010 Festival of Flowers wines can be sampled at the Biltmore winery.

The full schedule of events is as follows:

Biltmore House & Gardens Activities:

• Classical music in the Winter Garden, 30-minute sets at 11:00 a.m.
• Music in the Conservatory, 30-minute sets at 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
• "Ask a Gardener" in the Walled Garden, Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Look in the Conservatory for a container garden exhibit that represents wine selections in honor of the Winery's 25th Anniversary.
• Get inspired at our free seminars offered daily at A Gardener's Place:
o 1:00 p.m.: Creating five-minute centerpieces: fast and easy arranging.
o 2:00 p.m.: How to "wreath" your door into spring.
o 3:00 p.m.: Learn the basics of growing roses.

Antler Hill Village Activities:
The new Antler Hill Village connects the estate’s past and present and is home to places to dine, shop and explore the history of the area.

Biltmore Winery:

• Complimentary wine tastings: 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; opens at noon on Sundays
• Grape stomp: Saturday & Sunday

Village Green
• Relax with music and storytellers daily 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
• Cooking demonstrations 3:30 p.m.

Farm
• Music at the barn: Saturday & Sunday 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Monday–Friday 3:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Woodworking demonstrations: 12:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Blacksmith demonstrations: 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Farm demos at the barn: Saturday & Sunday 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge Open this Weekend

The new Pigeon Forge Titanic Museum Attraction hosted its Grand Opening today, April 8, and will hold its official opening to the public on April 10. The museum is the newest addition to the Pigeon Forge attractions scene.

The design of the museum makes visitors, or “passengers” as they’re called by Titanic crew members, feel like they are on a real ship. The structure of the museum is one of a real ship, complete with double smoke-stacks and ship bow. The museum houses elements like a story-tall iceberg shaped wall made of real, touchable ice as well as a replica of the grand staircase and first and third class cabins.

Titanic visitors get a boarding pass with name of a real passenger or crew member who was on the ship that fateful night. At the end of the tour, guests will compare their name to a memorial wall to see if their person lived or perished.

To add to the realistic feel, all of the employees at the Titanic Museum are dress as ship officers, first-class maids or stewards they remain in character at all times. The crew are also storytellers and help create the ambiance of the museum experience.

The museum houses more than 400 artifacts and it also has full-size room re-creations, like the first-class cabin, that were modeled after Titanic blueprints. A few of the artifacts include a life jacket traced Madeline Astor, the young pregnant wife of John Jacob Astor, a key to first-class cabin suites that belonged to steward Edmund Stone & White Star ocean line china.

This is the second boat shaped Titanic Museum. The first is located in Branson, Missouri.

Titanic tickets are on sale now.

Springfest in Pigeon Forge Features Dolly Parton Parade

Springfest in Pigeon Forge is a three month long celebration that features Spring events and the beauty of the Pigeon Forge area in bloom. Vibrant flowers and foliage-filled trees dot the landscape of this Smoky Mountain town, creating a beautiful place to visit. It’s a great time to venture out to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for some hiking, sightseeing or auto-touring. It’s also a great time to take in new seasons of Pigeon Forge shows like the Dixie Stampede and Black Bear Jamboree.

A few of the special events planned for Springfest include the Spring Grand Rod Run, scheduled for April 15-18, 2010, as well as the Festival of Nations at Dollywood.

The 25th Annual Dolly Parade is the highlight of Springfest. This year’s parade is scheduled for May 7, at 6pm. The Dolly Parton parade runs from River Road to Wears Valley Road. Join the fun as festive floats, marching bands and other local celebrities make their way through parade procession.

Pigeon Forge Hotels are available now for reservations.

Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass Cooks Up Some Fun

Sevierville’s Bloomin’ Barbeque and Bluegrass is celebrating its 6th year with exciting new events and a great entertainment line-up. Bloomin’ Barbeque and Bluegrass is an award-winning International Festival & Events Association event.

The event will be held May 14 & 15, 2010, and will feature delicious barbeque, talented bluegrass legends, free concerts, kid’s activities and tons of family fun.

Sevierville is just minutes from Pigeon Forge.

The fun begins Friday, May 14, and the entertainment line-up includes Brand New Strings (5pm), Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier (6:30pm) and Blue Highway (8pm). There will also be a mascot parade and dance competition Friday evening, as well as Knoxville TVA Credit Union Kids’ Que.

On Saturday, May 15, the entertainment line-up includes Mountain Ruckus (1pm), Audie Blaylock (2pm, 4pm), Darrell Webb (3pm, 5pm), Tony Rice Unit (6:30pm) and The Dan Tyminski Band (8pm). The Dan Tyminski Band is best known for the song “Man of Constant Sorrow” from the movie “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?” The 6th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals will be held on Saturday. Competitors from around the nation will sing their best to win prize money, a recording session in Nashville, and guitar autographed by Dolly Parton. This compETITION honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton and all competitors must perform and song written by Dolly Parton in whatever style they choose.

Other activities that will be available throughout the event include The Bluegrass Music Tent where kids and kids at heard can touch and play bluegrass instruments like the banjo and fiddle with instructor’s on-hand. This attraction will be open until 9pm each day of the event.

The barbeque portion of this event brings barbeque cook teams from across the nation to compete for $15,000 in cash and prizes. The hours of operation are 5pm-10pm May 14 & 10am-10pm May 15. A few of the competitors include Late Night Whiskey Smokers, Rocky Top Rib Runners, Bubba’s Backyard BBQ, The Rolling Bones and Pharm boys BBQ.

Pigeon Forge Car Shows Gear Up for 2010 Season

The Smoky Mountains are gearing up for another season of great car shows, starting with the Grand Spring Rod Run April 15-18. The streets of Pigeon Forge will fill with beautiful cars, bikes and antique automobiles. Visitors flock to view the custom designs and beautiful restoration jobs done on these pristine vehicles.

The full line-up of Pigeon Forge Car Shows in 2010 is as follows:

Spring Grand Rod Run
April 15-18
Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center

Rumble in the Hills Motorcycle Rally
April 30-May 2
Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center

32nd Annual 2010 Ford F100 Super Nationals
May 13-15
Pigeon Forge Municipal Parking Facility & Grand Resort Hotel Contention Center

Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show
June 4-5
Music Road Hotel Convention Center

All Chevy Supernationals
June 11-13
Pigeon Forge Municipal Parking Facility & Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center

Great Smoky Mountains F-100 Run
June 24-27
Smoky Shadows Convention Center

Shades of the Past Rod Run Show XXVI
September 10-11
National Parks Resort Lodge & Smoky River Ranch

Fall Grand Rod Run
September 16-19
Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center

Pigeon Forge Hotels fill up quickly so book now to get the best room, at the best price, at the best location.

Dollywood Celebrates 25th Anniversary in 2010

Dollywood marks its 25th Anniversary in 2010 and this Pigeon Forge, Tennessee theme park plans on celebrating with all-new attractions, new shows and a promotion that encourages “Celebrate the Dreamer in You.”

Dollywood’s season begins on March 27 with the annual Festival of Nations. This year’s event includes a new show, Drum, which features a Nova Scotia based group of 20 musicians, dancers, drummers and singers from four main cultures – Aboriginal, African, Celtic & Acadian for a 45-minute stage show that is combines the four cultures for an unforgettable production. Invaders, a Caribbean steel drum show, is also new to Festival of Nations, as is Jallmay, a troupe of musicians and dancers from Peru.

Adventure Mountain is Dollywood’s new attraction. It features two acres of obstacle courses, with 100 different obstacles and four different courses. The courses range in difficulty and are equipped with swinging beams, flying islands, suspension bridges and tire traps. Adventure Mountains will also be home to Camp Teachittoomee, a ground based experience for little ones.

Dollywood Splash Country, opening on May 22, also has a new attraction – Slick Rock Racer. The 300-foot, multilane attraction will offer a unique experience to Splash Country guests, as the park does not currently offer any slide rides of this nature. Riders will travel down the chutes on their bellies while laying head first on a foam mat. The slide will start with an initial dip to give speed and will include several more bumps throughout the course to allow for additional momentum.

To get in on the fun, purchase a Dollywood Vacation Package today. It includes Dollywood tickets and lodging in Pigeon Forge, with options from Pigeon Forge Hotels and Pigeon Forge Cabins available.

Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament Lures Anglers to Pigeon Forge

Rocky Top Outfitters is hosting the 11th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament Saturday, April 3 & Sunday, April 4, 2010 in Pigeon Forge. Over 10,000 trout will be stocked in over 20 miles of streams prior to this 2-day event, creating a tournament that’s fun for adults, children, visitors and locals.

The time for Saturdays event is sunrise – 4pm and the time for Sundays event is sunrise – 2pm.

The tournament features over $10,000 in cash & prizes. There will be a $500 giveaway for the largest trout, $500 for the smallest trout and plenty of gift certificates, trophies, fishing equipment, amusement passes, hotel stays and more will be given away!

To register for the event, click here.

If you plan on attending the Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament, reserve from our great selection of Pigeon Forge hotels for the guaranteed lowest rates.

Dollywood Festival of Nations features Entertainment from Around the World

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is gearing up for their 25th season in 2010. With an opening date of March 27th, Dollywood will spring into their Festival of Nations celebration, an event featuring captivating entertainment from around the world. Festival of Nations is scheduled for March 27-April 26 and is included with your Dollywood tickets.

The Festival of Nations also presents delicious food and unique crafts from around the globe while great new shows have also been added.

The full line-up for this month-long celebration includes:

Invaders – This new addition to Dollywood’s Festival of Nations features lively island rhythms performed by an ensemble steel orchestra. The sounds of Trinidad & Tobago are infused with gospel, salsa, reggae and American big band tunes for a unique sound.

Drum! – This Nova Scotia based group features 20 musicians, dancers, drummers and singers from four main cultures – Aboriginal, African, Celtic & Acadian for a 45-minute stage show that is combines the four cultures for an unforgettable production.

Atahualpa – Representing different areas of the Andes, Atahualpa showcases contemporary music, South American dance rhythms and traditional songs played by native Incan instruments alongside guitars and keyboards for an eclectic show.

Jallmay – Created by 28 dancers & musicians, Jallmay highlights Peru’s South American rhythms from ancient dances to modern beats.

Keona – This instrumental duo performs the hang drum, a new instrument created in Switzerland in 2000. The touch of the player’s hand upon the steel drum creates distinctive melodic sounds that visitors are sure to enjoy.

Imagine presented by Le Grand Cirque – This cast of premier international performers return to Dollywood for a production featuring daring acrobatics, aerialists, jugglers, clowns and high wire artists that will amaze Dollywood audiences.

Zambia Vocal Group – Created from different tribes throughout Africa, Zambia performs a capella traditional hymns and original songs that mix African rhythms with vocal percussions and a uniting message.

Don’t miss the Festival of Nations at Dollywood.

Dollywood vacation packages are on sale now.

Star-Studded Grand Opening of Titanic Museum Set for April 8

Official Press Release from Titanic Museum Attraction:

The new $25 million dollar permanent Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. will open on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 10 a.m. with a star-studded Grand Opening hosted by Regis Philbin. The event, which is open to the public, also will be attended by descendants and family members of those onboard the Titanic and includes a christening of the ship.

Philbin, best known for his television shows including Live With Regis & Kelly and Who Wants to be A Millionaire, will serve as master of ceremonies during the Grand Opening. Philbin’s television career started more than 50 years ago when he was a reporter in San Diego. Since that time, he has become a national fixture with a string of Emmy Award-winning shows. The christening and Grand Opening events, which take place outside of the Titanic Museum Attraction, are free and open to the public.

Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge is a half-scale, permanent, three-deck reproduction of the Titanic. The museum houses 20 galleries to display hundreds of authentic, priceless Titanic artifacts that were either carried from the ship and into lifeboats by passengers and crew, or were found afloat soon after the sinking and quickly salvaged by rescue boats.

Inside the Titanic Museum, visitors find full-size reproductions (built to actual Titanic blueprints) a First Class suite, First Class hallways, Third Class accommodations and – the museum’s centerpiece – a $1 million exact reproduction of the Titanic’s Grand Staircase. The First Class suite will be a tribute to Isidor and Ida Straus owners of Macy’s Department Stores, which was also the cabin used in James Cameron’s blockbuster movie Titanic as Rose’s suite.

“We pay respect to Titanic by telling the story of the ship and her passengers,” said John Joslyn, owner of the new Titanic Museum. “Visitors learn the individual stories of those onboard the ship as they are learning about the ship itself. We have spent years researching these people and their stories are absolutely amazing.

“In addition to an unparalleled collection of artifacts, we have built the Titanic Museum Attraction as a completely interactive attraction. You hear the wonderful stories as you’re going through the museum, but you are also experiencing things the way they were in 1912 when Titanic sailed. It’s one thing to hear about the men who shoveled coal into the boilers – but it comes to life for you when you pick up that shovel and feel what it means to shovel coal into a furnace.”

In addition to being a world class museum in the truest sense of the word, Titanic Pigeon Forge is also highly interactive and offers a hands-on experience for children, teenagers and adults. The ship is anchored in water to create the illusion of Titanic at sea, and a two hour self-guided tour gives guests the sensation of sailing on the original ship’s 1912 maiden voyage. Upon entry, each guest receives a boarding pass bearing the name of an actual Titanic passenger or crew member whose fate is revealed on the Memorial Wall at tour end. Along the way, powerful emotions surface as guests:

*Walk Titanic’s Grand Staircase
*Touch the frozen surface of an “iceberg”
*Feel the chill of that fateful “Starry Night”
*Test the 28 degree water
*Interact with various Titanic models
*Grip the ship’s wheel and follow the Captain’s commands
*Tour world-class galleries and the 300 rare historical artifacts
*Sit in a Titanic lifeboat and listen to actual survivors tell their stories
*Send an SOS from the Marconi Wireless Room
*Test their balance while standing on mini-decks built to show the ever-steeper slope of Titanic as she sank
*Watch children eight years and younger explore the special interactive TOT-Titanic Play-and-Learn Room. 1) steer a ship 2) Meet the Titanic Polar Bear 3) build the Titanic ship
*Dive to Titanic’s wreck site via spectacular underwater camera footage from the owner who put the second Titanic expedition together and produced the first Titanic TV special.

The Titanic Museum Attraction Grand Opening event begins on Thursday, April 8, 2010
at 10 a.m. and continues with special events and celebrity guest appearances throughout the weekend. Tickets to the new Titanic Museum, which will open April 8, are now available online. (Note: The outdoor Grand Opening and christening is free and open to the public, but admission to the Titanic Museum Attraction requires a ticket.)

Cedar Bay Entertainment is a privately owned entertainment and development company headquartered in Branson, Missouri, the original site of Cedar Bay’s first Titanic Museum Attraction. Since its April 2006 grand opening, it has welcomed more than 2,000,000 guests.