Black Bear Jamboree Welcomes Live Reindeer, Santa to Christmas Show

The Black Bear Jamboree Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has invited some very special guests to make its Christmas Spectacular show experience that much more special this holiday season.

Children and families will notice two very special visitors from the North Pole in front of the theater. Two live reindeer, an adult female and her baby female, will be in a viewing area at the theater through the end of the year. The mother reindeer is named “Branches” after her antlers, which are about three feet high with eight to ten points. The mother gave birth to the baby named “Charmed” in April 2008 and is almost 50 pounds, with one-foot high antlers and four points.

Because reindeer can swiftly toss their antlers around when touched, the public is not permitted to pet the animals for safety reasons. But viewing and photos are allowed. The theater meets all USDA licensing regulations to have the reindeer at the theater, and the animals will have a dedicated animal caretaker and proper home during their time at the Black Bear Jamboree Theater.

Another special guest from the North Pole is Santa Joe. He will greet patrons with a jolly “Ho, Ho, Ho” as they enter the theater and photo opportunities will be available. In addition, Santa will make an appearance during the Christmas Spectacular show, as well as read a holiday book about the elf Christopher Pop-in-Kins before the school matinee shows throughout December.

After seeing live reindeer and Santa Joe, visitors will see the “Black Bear Jamboree Christmas Spectacular Dinner and Show.” The dinner show experience begins with a three-course meal, accompanied by a pre-show of holiday music performed by the award-winning Black Bear Jamboree All-Star Band. The Country feast includes creamy vegetable soup, hickory-pit barbeque ribs, southern-style tender roasted chicken, seasoned green beans, farm-fresh seasoned potatoes, fresh buttery corn on the cob, hot golden brown rolls, unlimited beverages and a signature desert. Kid’s meals are available. Vegetarian lasagna is also available upon request.

The musical revue show features a large cast of actors, singers, dancers and musicians, collectively making more than 250 costume changes, set against theatrical enhancements, including extraordinary sets, colorful lasers, surround sound, state-of-the-art lighting, and black light special effects. There are more than 75 holiday music favorites included in the Christmas show medley score.

The holiday show tells the enchanting story of an innocent and playful little girl named Suzie who dreams of receiving play dolls for Christmas. The show opens at the North Pole with Santa and his elves loading toys onto his sleigh. But during Santa’s journey, the dolls for Suzie fall out of the sleigh and land in the Great Smoky Mountains on top of a hibernating-bear cave. Scenes include a New York City shopping spree, snow ball fights, sleigh rides, Santa and his elves at the North Pole, a down-home country Christmas, and the birth of baby Jesus.

And what about those hibernating bears? Well, we’ve got six of the animatronic variety featured in the show that aren’t too happy to be awakened by the doll characters. It’s easy for our talented cast to “win over” the family of good bears – Papa, Mama, and Baby bears – with their holiday songs, but the neighboring “grumpy” bears – Weezer, Gobo, and Big Ben are well … let’s just say they aren’t as easy to impress. But in the end, all the black bears learn about the true spirit of the holiday season.

David Fee, the show’s co-owner and president says, “The Black Bear Jamboree Christmas Spectacular Show has become a traditional holiday outing for area families. Every year, we see many repeat visitors who say it just doesn’t feel like Christmas until they come and see our show. It’s fun to see everyone get excited about the holidays as they hear the music, see the dancers and remember the true reason for the season.”

The Black Bear Jamboree Theater Christmas Spectacular Dinner and Show runs November 1 through January 3, 2009. Show times are 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. nightly, with additional 2:00 p.m. matinees on Tuesdays and Saturdays and everyday November 27–29 and December 26–31. Adult tickets are $39.95, plus tax. Seniors, age 55 and up, are $37.95, plus tax. Child tickets, for ages 3 through 11, are $14.95, plus tax. Children 2 and under are free with each paying adult. The Black Bear Jamboree Theater is located at 119 Music Road between traffic lights No. 0 and 1 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.