Tennessee Shindig has All-New Format for Show

Tennessee Shindig Theater in Pigeon Forge Announces New Line-Up:

We have some exciting news to share with you. We've had a tremendous response to our Tennessee Shindig show, which started last April. By popular demand, we are re-expanding the show to two hours, adding more entertainers, and including more song styles than ever before.

On April 8th ,we re-opened as the Tennessee Shindig Theater with our brand new format! We've removed the tables and chairs and installed movie theater style seating for your comfort. We know that many of you have enjoyed our great food, so we have a fantastic new option for you. How about an all-you-can-eat Steak, Shrimp and Roast Beef dinner for only $6.95, drink included? We are proudly partnering with our neighbor, Great American Steak & Buffet, soon to be the largest buffet in America, to offer a combo option for our guests. We know flexibility is important on vacation so you can use the dinner voucher within 7 days from your purchase.

Get ready for a spectacular theatrical production at the Tennessee Shindig! Featuring an all new two-hour show with fifteen fabulous entertainers, Tennessee Shindig celebrates the Volunteer State's musical legacy, and much more! The first half showcases Tennessee's music, including classic and modern country, Elvis, Dolly, bluegrass, and Southern gospel, while the second half presents Song-sational, a jaw-dropping exhibition of the award-winning cast in the music of the decades. It's the most entertaining show the Smokies have ever seen!

Information courtesy of Tennessee Shindig

Titanic Attraction Coming to Pigeon Forge

A historic disaster is coming to Sevier County.

Last month, according to county records, a Branson, Mo., company paid $2 million for a three-acre tract on the Parkway, just south of the Black Bear Jamboree in Pigeon Forge.

The buyer was Titanic Tennessee, LLC, and Pigeon Forge tourism director Leon Downey said the company is planning an attraction similar to Branson's Titanic museum.

At that attraction, visitors can "Walk an elegant replica of the Titanic's Grand Staircase ... Touch the frozen surface of an 'iceberg' ... Feel the chill of that fateful 'Starry Night' ...See the world's largest Titanic ship's model on display ... Stand on the mighty ship's bridge and hear the Captain's commands", according to the museum's web site.

John Joslyn, president of Branson's Cedar Bay Entertainment, declined to comment about his firm's plans.

Information courtesy of Knoxville News Sentinel

Lee Greenwood is Back in The Smokies

The intimate Smith Family Theater is set to host Lee Greenwood.

Greenwood is back in Pigeon Forge for about 30 shows this summer. Greenwood is happy to be back to see family and sing his hits to fans.

Always a crowd-pleaser in this area, the Lee Greenwood Theater closed down, but Greenwood decided to come back on his off-time to stay and play.

He loves going down to Cades Cove with his family. He says the hiking and biking trails in the Smokies are the "perfect place."

Greenwood, who lives in West Tennessee with his family, is not touring right now, although he just returned from a USO tour a few weeks ago. Greenwood has many hits but one he is known for, "God Bless The U.S.A" has become a bit of an unofficial Anthem in this country.

Here are his tour dates for The Smith Family Theater:

May 9, 2008
May 18, 2008
May 23, 2008
June 20, 2008
July 10-11, 2008
July 18, 2008
July 24, 2008
August 1, 2008
August 8, 2008
August 15, 2008
August 22, 2008
August 30-31, 2008
September 5, 2008
September 11-12, 2008
September 21, 2008
September 27, 2008
October 3, 2008
October 9-10, 2008
October 19, 2008
October 24, 2008
October 30-31, 2008
November 5, 2008
November 14 and 16, 2008
November 21, 2008
November 28, 2008
December 3, 2008
December 12, 2008
December 29, 2008

While visiting Pigeon Forge and enjoying the Lee Greenwood Show, you'll need a place to rest and relax. Thankfully, there is discount Pigeon Forge hotels available making every piece of your visit easy and budget friendly. Make your reservations early!

Information courtesy of WBIR-TV

Dollywood Thrills Visitors with Roller Coasters, Family Fun

I was eager to visit the Pigeon Forge area. I knew a lot about the different Pigeon Forge shows, such as Country Tonite, and Pigeon Forge attractions, but had never visited Dollywood. Once I did, I realized why so many people enjoy the park and its many amusements.

Like any other theme park, it aims to please families. Dollywood does a great job of pleasing every member of the clan by providing elements uniquely designed for each. I visited during the Festival of Nations, a celebration of the different cultures of the world. There were great exhibits featuring Ireland, Latin America, Russia and others. The food featured was also delicious and showcased the flavors of the world.

I love roller coasters, so of course, they were my main priority. The Tennessee Tornado was my first experience of Dollywood rides, and it definitely made good on its tornado like spins! It was a great ride featuring twists, turns, spins and upside down maneuvers sure to please any thrill seeker.

While walking through the park to the next tempting ride, I enjoyed the shops and crafts displayed throughout. Smoky Mountain heritage is present in the craft-making, which includes glass blowing, woodcarving, a grist mill, and wagon makers among many others. There were also a lot of sweet shoppes, offering tasty treats like taffy, ice cream and baked goods.

I went on two other Dollywood roller coasters. The Mystery Mine and Thunderhead were both a lot of fun, with Mystery Mine being my favorite out of the two. It is a unique ride, as it features a cart holding 8 people, instead of a standard roller coaster cart which can hold upwards of 30 plus. The smaller cart made the twists and turns even more thrilling and added to the mine aspect of the ride. I also like Thunderhead. It is very fast, which is a bonus, but more turbulent than the other coasters.

It was a little too cool for me to try any water rides, but they were certainly busy with other riders. I would like to try the Smoky Mountain River Rampage and Daredevil Falls when I visit again. The all new River Battle had just opened when I visited, and it looked like it came straight out of a cartoon. I thought the interactive features of the ride made it all the more fun for friends and families and I will be on that ride as well when I return (in warmer weather)!

Throughout the Dollywood park, the rides, attractions and shops are combined with the scenery to create a Smoky Mountain paradise. The way they blended the commercial aspects of the park with the natural aspects was very impressive. An Eagle Sanctuary was also at the park, and the view of the eagles was spectacular.

I think Dollywood is a perfect fit for families and friends. Everything from the atmosphere to the entertainment to the thrilling rides was on point.

Dollywood is also situated very near to the Parkway in Pigeon Forge making it easy for visitors to get there from their hotel. Hotels near Dollywood include RiverStone Resort, EconoLodge Riverside Pigeon Forge, Grand Resort Hotel and Red Roof Inn. Cabins in Pigeon Forge Tennessee are also available at great prices. They are a great choice for larger families and guests who prefer the extra space provided.

After you've had your share of Dollywood fun, be sure to check out the other great attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The entire town is full of activities fun for the whole family.

Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass Event Serves Up Family Fun

Sevierville’s fourth annual Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass will take place May 16-17,
2008. This family-friendly event will once again bring barbeque cook teams from all over the United States to Sevierville as they compete for $20,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Tennessee State Champion.

Rounding out the event is toe-tapping bluegrass music, incredible arts and crafts, kids’ games and the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honoring Sevierville’s favorite hometown girl, Dolly Parton. With so many exciting things to see and do, this event is one you’ll want to attend!

Friday night (May 16), take a little time to visit with the barbeque cook teams you’ve seen on cable channels like the Food Network as you stroll through the “Que Zone.” Championship barbeque tastes best when eaten in a comfortable place with great music, so have a seat in the Eating Tent, which will feature a variety of shows throughout the event. Then make sure you bring a lawn chair or blanket for the free bluegrass concerts with rising stars like Cadillac Sky and Bradley Walker and well known legends Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time and Marty Stuart.

Saturday morning (May 17), start the day early with the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Kids' Que where children ages 6-16 cook chicken to win cash and trophies. Then stay to watch as championship cook teams turn in their competition meats and then stay for the announcement of winners at 4pm. During the competition the teams will cook an estimated 2,832 pounds of meat including 20 pounds of pulled pork, 24 pounds of brisket, 5 pounds of chicken and 10 pounds of ribs each. Winning teams will receive recognition in Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket as well as specialty categories like “Anything Bush Beans”, “Anything Wampler’s Farm Sausage”, Sauce and Dessert.

An expanded Kids’ Zone and the Bluegrass Music Tent, sponsored in part by The Music Outlet, add fun and enrichment for the kids and families who attend Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass. The Kids’ Zone includes attractions like climbing walls, bounce houses and old-time toys while the Bluegrass Music Tent gives kids (and kids at heart) the chance to touch and play bluegrass instruments such as banjos, fiddles and more (don’t worry, instructors will be on site to help). Both of these attractions will be open until 9pm each day of the event.

A highlight of Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass is the 4th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals held on May 17. Finalists from around the nation will sing their hearts out for a chance to win prize money, a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee and a guitar autographed by Dolly Parton. This competition, the only one of its kind that festival organizers know of, honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton. Competitors, male and female, must sing a song written by Dolly Parton (there are over 3,000) and do so in their own style (rock, rap, country, bluegrass, swing, soul, etc.).

Admission and concerts are free.

After feasting on delicious barbeque and enjoying great entertainment, swing by Pigeon Forge for even more fun. Pigeon Forge Hotels also offer the best in lodging, and are a easy option for visitors to the Bloomin' Barbeque and Bluegrass.

Adventure Quest Pigeon Forge Revealed

If you've been wondering what's going on with the former Helicopter Headquarters on the Parkway, here's the answer.

The building was purchased last December by the investment group Holrob-Henderson Chapel. The property was then leased to Adventure Quest Entertainment Group, an affiliate of Holrob-Henderson and owned in part by Pigeon Forge resident Jay Ogle. That firm is planning an indoor amusement park. Adventure Quest is a $12.4 million investment due to open in June.

The 28,000-square-foot structure is being referred to as a family adventure attraction. Exactly what it will include, though, remains a secret known only to those involved. Specific attractions have not yet been disclosed."We are bringing a new attraction that is so new and so different than what people are used to that we don't feel descriptions are appropriate enough at this point to disclose," Ned Vickers, co-owner of Adventure Quest, said.

"At Adventure Quest, we aim to provide experiences that appeal to the whole family," Ogle said. "We believe that today's consumer wants to be actively involved in the entertainment experience, and the next-generation attractions at Adventure Quest will offer a level of interactivity that is unsurpassed in the amusement industry."

"We are excited to be bringing new and unique entertainment options to Sevier County," Brad Smith, one of four owners of Adventure Quest, said.

Vickers said some of the attractions will be similar to those that are available in the area now, but Adventure Quest will put such a spin on them that they'll be different from anything seen before in this market. Vickers said renovations should be finished within the next three weeks. Upon completion of those renovations, Vickers said the company will the apply to the city for building permits to complete the project.Vickers says all permits needed so far have been acquired. The building plan has not yet been submitted, according to Joe Dunn, building inspector for the city of Pigeon Forge.

Construction is currently under way on the structure and facade. The building is being designed to resemble a four-story, medieval castle.

"After the structural modifications have been completed, Adventure Quest will begin installing the attractions," Vickers said.

Adventure Quest will offer six interactive experiences, Vickers said.

The Adventure Quest Entertainment Group is co-owned by Bob Talbot, Vickers, Smith and Ogle. The project is being financed by Citizens National Bank.

Information courtesy of The Mountain Press

Play and Stay in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is a vacation destination encompassing great outdoor fun and exciting indoor fun the whole family can enjoy. I got to see how much fun Pigeon Forge really offers when I recently ventured there. The Parkway running through Pigeon Forge is lined with entertainment, including everything from live shows to thrilling attractions. Plus, there are plenty of unique Pigeon Forge restaurants to try along the way.

The great thing about Pigeon Forge is how it manages to maintain its small town atmosphere while also offering big time fun. Both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country are conveniently located just minutes from the parkway, and both maintain the natural beauty of the area throughout their locations. One of the best things about Splash Country is the way the water attractions blended with the earth, to create a true paradise of fun. Even Dollywood, with its outrageous roller coasters and new-fangled shops, wraps itself around the scenic allure of Pigeon Forge.

Visiting Splash Country and Dollywood is good old-fashioned fun, and something I believe everyone can enjoy. They both cater to families, with the Safe-T-Kid systems, which allow families to monitor the exact location of their child. Splash Country even has retreats for rent, which are cabanas with first class service, shade and televisions which are great for visiting families. My favorite part about Dollywood was its roller coasters. They were thrilling and definitely provided the fun it promised. The absolute best was the Tennessee Tornado. It loops around, goes upside down, and is very fast!

A few of the must see shows in the area include Country Tonite, The Smith Family Show and Cirque de Chine. They’re a great way to end a day of hiking or a day at Dollywood.

While I was in the area, I also got a chance to dine in a Pigeon Forge Restaurant. Johnny Carino’s, an Italian eatery, won me and my dinner companions over! There delicious food was plentiful and unique and the service was excellent. I would recommend any Pigeon Forge guest to try it!

Lodging in Pigeon Forge is also plentiful, with cabins, hotels and condominiums to choose from. A few of the options include The Resort at Governor’s Crossing, Grand Resort Hotel and The Water Resort. Cabins in Pigeon Forge are abundant, with properties like Bear-Foot Cabin Rentals, Mill Creek Cabin Rentals and Bluff Mountain Rentals to choose from.

Dolly Comes Home for Parade in Pigeon Forge

Dolly’s 2008 Homecoming Parade, a rite of spring in this tourist town next door to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, has attracted 101 units, some from as far away as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The namesake grand marshal, of course, is Tennessee native Dolly Parton, who grew up just a few miles outside of Pigeon Forge. She is tied to the local tourism economy because of Dollywood, the theme park that is Tennessee’s most popular ticketed attraction.

The parade is April 11, starting at 6 p.m. Spectators are expected to line the complete parade route, more than two miles along the Parkway in the middle of Pigeon Forge between Traffic Lights 3 through 6. The parade is a project of the City of Pigeon Forge’s Department of Special Events.

Details of Parton’s float are a tightly held secret, a tradition throughout the parade’s 23-year history.

Marching bands from Pigeon Forge High School and Sevier County High School (Parton’s alma mater) will be joined by bands from Southern Fulton High School in Warfordsburg, Pa., Wilmington Area High School in Ambridge, Pa., Rockmark High School in Rockmart, Ga., and Indian Valley High School in Gnadenhutten, Ohio.

The most distant entrant is the Jack Links Beef Jerky F-650 show truck that was featured on cable TV’s “Trick My Truck.” Its home base is Minong, Wisc.

Another automotive entrant is a 1948 Ford pickup truck owned by Maurice Putnam from Seymour, Tenn. Putnam’s truck is featured in the photography for Parton’s newest CD, “Backwoods Barbie.”

The parade lineup also includes equestrian units, car clubs, floats representing Pigeon Forge’s theaters, dance teams, twirlers and a float from the Knoxville Zoo that celebrates the zoo’s 60th anniversary.

Information courtesy of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Spin City Skate Center Opens in Pigeon Forge

Spin City Skate Center is one of the latest attractions in Pigeon Forge.

"We've been in the go-cart business in Pigeon Forge for years, for 25 years," Spin City Marketing Director Jennifer Leroux says. "This is our newest addition."

The rink is drawing visitors from all over, including Rick Walker from Oklahoma. He hasn't been skating since he was 12 years old. "I am just learning to do it again," he says. For spring break, his eight-year-old granddaughter wanted to give roller skating a whirl. They're taking it easy around the rink, but for Rick, skating is as much fun as it was back in the day. "We went everyday," he says. "It's kind of fun again. I miss doing it."

It's been 10 years since Sevier County has had a skating rink. Every hometown has one, but it's a new idea for a tourist spot. "We have to find creative ways to get the tourists in here to enjoy the rink," Leroux says.

So far the vibrant and innovative roller rink is working. There is a big screen in the center of the floor, where skaters can watch themselves go around the rink. The screen also plays music videos from Spin City's collection of 6,000 songs. The state-of-the-art light show, complete with flashing bright colors and disco balls, gets things rolling as well. While the music and lights may be booming, Spin City hopes its business will too, as skating rolls back into pop culture. "It's definitely making a comeback," Leroux says.

Spin City is located at light number four in Pigeon Forge, across from the Red Roof Mall.

Information courtesy of WBIR-TV

World's Largest Tony Roma's Opens in Pigeon Forge

The largest Tony Roma’s restaurant in the world opened on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge on Monday, March 24. Considered the pioneer of baby back ribs, Tony Roma’s has a global presence with more than 250 restaurants in 35 countries including the U.S., and average in size around 5,600 square feet. The Pigeon Forge location is nearly twice as large at almost 12,000 square feet – a statistic that will help meet the dining demands of a tourist destination with around 13 million visitors a year. It is also the largest restaurant in Pigeon Forge with 346 seats and will employee 160 employees.

The new franchise location is co-owned by David Fee, president, and Jim Hedrick, vice president, of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group. Both agree that size is not their ultimate objective, rather a quality family dining experience. Fee says, “The decision to open this particular franchise was based more on location and timing, in addition to the world-class reputation of Tony Roma’s first-rate food. Tony Roma’s has a beautiful upper-class appeal without the upper-class prices that make it affordable family-friendly prices.

“I ultimately chose to open a Tony Roma’s after seeing how it anchors large-scale developments in other tourist areas like Nashville and Myrtle Beach.” Fee says. With its location in walking distance to the nearby Black Bear Jamboree Theater and The Miracle Theater, Tony Roma’s is the perfect place to stop, dine and enjoy a wonderful meal between two attractions, both owned by the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group. This restaurant has more to offer than its sizable capacity or world renowned ribs; it has unique flare to be enjoyable to both tourists and local residents of the area that will make return again and again.

Tony Roma’s has lots to offer beyond food including a private meeting/party room, a carry-out Ribs To Go service, gift cards, and Tony Roma’s online Roma Rib Expert Club, where you can get all the latest scoop on promotions, news, and special offers from the restaurant chain.

It’s located at 2050 Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The new restaurant is at the same location as the former Country Legends Grill and Alabama Grill and can be contacted at (865) 908-8777.

Information courtesy of Seymour Herald