16 Free Things To Do in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

In the breathtaking state of Tennessee you’ll find the picturesque Smoky Mountains. Both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are great places to visit for fantastic indoor and outdoor fun! A vacation to the Smoky Mountains is perfect too, because there are so many things to do in the Smoky Mountains. Even better, there are plenty of FREE things to do in the Smoky Mountains!

The natural outdoor allure of the Smoky Mountain destinations of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is easy to understand. With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as their backyard, these two vacation destinations allow guests to discover what they’ve been missing…refreshing, all natural fun!

1. Cades Cove: This is a great area for a scenic drive! There is an 11 mile one way loop that winds around the valley, complete with wildlife, campgrounds, bike rentals, spectacular foliage in autumn, facilities for horseback riding and historic buildings.

2. Sugarlands Visitor Center: A free 20-minute orientation motion picture provides an in-depth look at the Smokies and the enormous diversity of plant and animal life in the Park. Natural history exhibits include mounted specimens of park animals in recreations of their habitats and reproductions of journals kept by the first park naturalists are also on display. Ranger talks and slide shows are presented daily from spring through fall. You’ll also want to visit Laurel Falls, a beautiful waterfall located off Little River Road near the Sugarlands Center.

3. Patriot Park: Located in Pigeon Forge, this park is home to a big "liberty" bell, all 50 state flags, a historic patriot missile and a picnic pavilion amongst the open fields & a veteran's memorial park. Relax with the family while enjoying the beauty of Pigeon Forge.

4. Clingman’s Dome: Clingman's Dome is a short drive from Gatlinburg through the national park. There is a steep 1/2 mile hike to the top lookout, but anyone can enjoy the views from the level parking lot area. However, the views at the top of the dome are well worth the hike.

5. Free Child Admission at Pigeon Forge Shows: Many Pigeon Forge shows offer free admission for children (with a paying adult ticket). A few of the shows that participate in free kids admission are The Comedy Barn, Smith Family Dinner Show, Country Tonite, Hoot N Holler Dinner Show, Magic Beyond Belief and The Miracle.

6. Tennessee Heritage Trails: Our Heritage Trails link attractions in three categories - History, Arts & Crafts and Music - to showcase the distinctive character and talents of Tennessee trails and to connect both well-known and obscure attractions under a common theme.

7. The Old Mill: Visit the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge to tour the shops, including the candy kitchen, where you’ll get a free sample of fudge or taffy. Guests will also want to tour the Old Mill to see how they make corn meal and other products. The tour is about 30 minutes and there is a small admission fee of $3.

8. Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Craft Community: This is the largest group of independent artisans in North America. This historic 8-mile loop has been designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. Established in 1937, these artisans create unique and treasured pieces. It doesn’t cost a dime to explore the shops and craftsmen at work.

9. Newfound Gap Road: The 33-mile drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee North Carolina along Newfound Gap Road is the only route that completely traverses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive offers a unique opportunity to enjoy an abbreviated experience of everything the Park has to offer, without necessarily trekking far from your automobile.

10. Hiking: Enjoy a hike on any of the more than 800 miles of trails through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With over fifty trails available to hike, you’ll discover a new treasure each time you explore.

11. Douglas Lake: Beautiful Douglas Lake extends its 33,000 lake acres and 513 miles of shoreline to the rolling hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, attracting nearly 2 million visitors each year. Favorite activities at Douglas Lake include fishing, boating, rafting, swimming, camping, and bird watching.

12. Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum: This free museum teaches visitors about the history of steam logging in the Smokies. It is both an indoor and outdoor museum, with outdoor exhibits featuring a vintage caboose and portable Frick steam engine.

13. Gatlinburg Space Needle: Towering over downtown Gatlinburg, the Space Needle rises 407 feet, offering fantastic scenic views to visitors. This is a small admission fee of $7.25 for adults & $3 for children.

14. Shopping in the Smokies: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a shopper’s dream and it doesn’t cost a thing to look! There are several Outlet malls, such as Belz Factory Outlet Mall, as well as hundreds of unique shops to explore.

15. Festivals: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a haven for festivals. Many of these, such as the Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival, have free admission and concerts!

16. Plus, at Dollywood, you can get your next day FREE if you arrive at the park after 3 pm!

With so many things to see and do in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, you and your family are sure to experience the vacation of a lifetime!

Celebrate the Holidays at Dollywood during a Smoky Mountain Christmas

Celebrate a Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge this holiday season. Spectacular light displays and a fantastic lineup of live Christmas shows are planned to help celebrate the true meaning of the season.

The park is decorated in over 4 million lights, casting a warm glow across a winter wonderland scene straight out of a picture. Dollywood is a great place to enjoy the holidays with friends and family as they present favorite shows like Babes in Toyland and Christmas in the Smokies.

Santa’s Workshop is also a favorite of park-goers. It features larger-than-life sized toys, an 18-foot tall Christmas tree and a cast of colorful characters that bring out the kid in everyone.

During a Smoky Mountain Christmas, guests can watch the Carol of the Trees, a nightly light synchronization show located at Rivertown Lake. The Kingdom Heirs will also be at the park providing southern gospel classics and popular Christmas hymns. Appalachian Christmas, an acoustic-style Christmas show, hearkens a simpler time and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas features a family finding its own Christmas miracle with the help of a mysterious, white-bearded stranger.

The Polar Express 4-D Experience at Dollywood invites guests on an extraordinary journey based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, which inspired the animated movie of the same name.

A Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge runs from November 7 – January 2, 2010.

Dollywood tickets are on sale now. Book a Dollywood Package for additional savings.

Celebrate Harvestfest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Official Press Release from Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism:

Scores of talented artists and craftsmen seem to take a cue from Mother Nature when the leaves start changing colors in the Great Smoky Mountains and appear in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for two major autumn festivals.

Basket makers, carvers, painters and others are on hand for the Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Festival and Dollywood’s National Gospel & Harvest Celebration.

The Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Crafts Festival (Oct. 1-30) is one of the region’s biggest crafts events, attracting almost 50 craftsmen, artists and exhibitors from more than a dozen states. It takes place under a giant red and white tent at Patriot Park. Rotarians volunteer their time to run the festival, and proceeds benefit numerous charities.

Dollywood’s National Gospel & Harvest Festival (Oct. 2-31) complements the theme park’s regular operation with an array of traditional and contemporary craftsmen and adds scores of free gospel music concerts to the entertainment lineup. Among the featured crafts are spinning, weaving, sorghum making, fiddle making, rug hooking and woodworking.

Both events take place against the backdrop of Pigeon Forge’s Harvestfest season, which continues through Oct. 31.

During Harvestfest, businesses throughout the city erect fanciful fall displays of hay bales, scarecrows, cornstalks, pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, mums and other symbols of the season.

Dollywood Presents National Gospel & Harvest Celebration in October

Dollywood is presenting their National Gospel & Harvest Celebration October 2-31, 2009, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The four week-long festival is the biggest Southern Gospel Festival in the Smokies and is made even more exciting by the autumnal colors that overtake that area during the fall.

The festival features some of the country’s most talented artisans as they demonstrate their talents and techniques. Delicious food is also part of the event as special dishes that pay tribute to the taste of fall and Tennessee heritage will be available to park goers.

The Harvest Celebration Crafters that will be on hand will demonstrate rope making, woodturning, fiddle making, glass working, stain glass making, paper making and many other crafts throughout the October festival. There is also an all-star line-up of Bluegrass & Gospel performers planned, including the likes of Riders in the Sky, Dailey & Vincent, the Gibson Brothers, Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen, Legacy Five, The Kingsmen, and The Isaacs, among many others.

Rusty’s Chuckwagon is also a good place to stop by while you’re visiting Dollywood during their Harvest Celebration as they will be serving up tasty campfire cooking and will perform Dutch Oven cooking demonstrations so you can recreate the tasty treats at home.

Don’t miss one of the southeast’s top woodcarving events at Dollywood’s 18th annual Woodcarving Showcase and Competition (Oct. 2 – Oct. 4). See demonstrations by master carvers each day as they showcase this unique art form through a variety of carving styles. Each day features a special carving event including whittling contests and the Great Pumpkin Carving Competition.

For lodging reservations during Dollywood's National Gospel & Harvest Festival, take a look at ReserveDirect's Pigeon Forge Hotels and Pigeon Forge Cabins.

Dollywood Wins Golden Ticket Award for Best Shows & Best Christmas Event

Amusement Today has announced the winners of the 12th Annual Golden Ticket Awards. Presented to the “Best of the Best” in the amusement industry, the Golden Ticket Awards are calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today. Surveys were sent to a database of experienced and well-travelled amusement park fans, asking them to rate the “bests” in 25 categories.

Several ReserveDirect attractions were honored with Golden Ticket Awards, including:

SeaWorld Orlando for Best Marine Life Park

Silver Dollar City in Branson for Friendliest Staff

Universal Orlando Resort for Best Halloween Event

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge for Best Christmas Event and Best Shows

Disney World Theme Parks (Epcot – IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth) for Best Outdoor Night Show Production

Universal Orlando Resort Islands of Adventure (Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls) for Best Water Ride

Universal Orlando Resort Islands of Adventure (Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man) for Best Dark Ride

Universal Orlando Resort Universal Studios (Revenge of the Mummy) for Best Indoor Roller Coaster

Congratulations to all for the well-deserved honor of receiving a highly-coveted Golden Ticket Award.

Pigeon Forge July 2009 Events

Dollywood KidsFest
Dollywood, 1020 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge

Mid-June to Early August 2009
Kid crafts, karaoke, puppets, clowns, jugglers, magicians, a trained dog show, extreme sports and much more highlight the festivities at Dollywood theme park during Kidfest. Other annual events held at Dollywood include the Dollywood Festival of Nations in April, Harvest Celebration in September and Smoky Mountain Christmas starting in November.

July PowWow
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, Cherokee, North Carolina
July 3-5, 2009
Live music, arts and crafts, traditional dance, singing can be experienced at the two-day July Powwow, which takes place at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds.

3rd Annual Smoky Mountain Music & Heritage Festival
Old Mill Square – Pigeon Forge
July 3rd, 2009
The festivities begin at 6:30pm and admission is free. Logan Murrell will be the featured performer.

Cherokee Fourth of July Fireworks
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, Cherokee, North Carolina
July 4th, 2009
Celebrate Independence Day with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds.

Patriot Festival at Patriot Park
Patriot Park, Old Mill Avenue, Pigeon Forge
July 3, 2009
865-429-7350
Enjoy live music, great food, children’s activities and a spectacular fireworks display during the Patriot Festival at Patriot Park in downtown Pigeon Forge.

Fourth of July Fireworks Show
Downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Fourth of July, 2009
865-436-0500
Celebrate Independence Day with an incredible display of fireworks that will light up downtown Gatlinburg. The fireworks show usually takes place approximately 1 hour after dark.

Fourth of July Midnight Parade
Downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Fourth of July Weekend, 2009
865-436-0500
Lighted floats, giant helium balloons, lively marching bands and more make up Gatlinburg’s Fourth of July Midnight Parade, which begins promptly on July 4 th at 12:01 AM – making it the first Independence Day parade in the country each year.

Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta
River Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Fourth of July 2009
865-436-0500
Starting at 12 PM sharp on the Fourth of July at Christus Gardens bridge, the Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta is an unmanned floatable object race for prizes. Arrive at 11:30 AM to enter the free Gatlinburg River Raft Regatta.

John Anderson in Concert
Country Tonite Theater – Pigeon Forge
July 10, 2009

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair

Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
July 17-26, 2009
865-436-7479
More than 200 of the most talented artists and craftspeople in the Smoky Mountains showcase their talents in the areas of woodworking, pottery, furniture making, basketweaving, dulcimer making, stained glass, metal work, jewelry, broommaking, quilting, candlemaking and more at the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair, which also takes place in Ocotber.

Indian Summer Festival
Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds, Cherokee, North Carolina
July 17-19, 2009
Come see the annual gathering of tribes from throughout the Americas takes its rightful place as the finest showcase of native dance, art, and culture in the southeast. The Festival of Native Peoples is an exposition of non-competitive dance, storytelling, and song performances expressing the collected history, culture, tradition, and wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. And for 2008, juried artists and artisans will return to Cherokee to display, show, and sell their beautiful work. The Cherokee Festival of Native Peoples is a unique event that is not to be missed.

Tennessee Smokies Baseball

Smokies Stadium, 3540 Line Drive, Kodak, Tennessee
Early April to Early September 2009
865-286-2300
For a night of fun, affordable family entertainment, Tennessee Smokies baseball can’t be beat! A Class AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Tennessee Smokies compete in the Southern League of Professional Baseball against the likes of the Chattanooga Lookouts, Greenville Braves, Carolina Mudcats and Jacksonville Suns. The state-of-the-art Tennessee Smokies Stadium, which opened in 2000, features 6,000 seats, a grass berm around most of the outfield and a full-service restaurant called the Double Play Café. The Tennessee Smokies play their home games in Kodak, which lies just Northwest of Sevierville (Exit 407 off of Interstate 40).

George Jones in Concert
Country Tonite Theater – Pigeon Forge
July 31, 2009

Save on Dollywood Tickets with Money-Saving Lodging Packages

Dollywood is offering a great way to purchase your Dollywood tickets and Dollywood’s Splash Country tickets while saving on a variety of area hotels and lodging, including the family-favorite, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. These Dollywood Packages are available in a variety of combinations to fit any traveler's vacation and budget:

• Dollywood Smoky Mountain Splash & Play Combo Package
• Dollywood Vacation Package
• Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Adventure Package
• Dollywood & Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Vacation Package
• Dollywood’s Splash Country & Dixie Stampede Vacation Package
• Dollywood Park Combo & Dixie Stampede Vacation Package
  

These packages are not offered anywhere else but through Dollywood’s website, so make sure you book now and save.

Adventure Mountain back on track at Dollywood

Dollywood had previously been forced to delay their $5 million expansion due to the economy. Construction costs were to blame for soaring costs of the expansion, so management thought it best to wait until the economy stabilized a bit and costs went down. Now, the $5 million project is back on and will be built to its original specifications, instead of a scaled back plan.

Officials at Dollywood plan to break ground on Adventure Mountain this summer. It will be the world’s largest interactive ropes course with swinging bridges and ladders crisscrossing their way across two acres of an area known as Wilderness pass. Adventurers will be harnessed in and will slide along a track as they try to overcome obstacles along the way.

Each stage requires varying levels of skill and ability. Three two-level courses invite adventurers to navigate rugged rope trails, net ladders, swinging bridges, moving beams and more including the base-level Camp Teachittoomee.

Adventure Mountain is scheduled to open on Dollywood’s Opening day in 2010. The opening of the new attraction will coincide with Dollywood’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Great Smoky Mountains 75th Anniversary Events

The Great Smoky Mountains are celebrating their 75th year as one of America’s National Parks. After being established in 1934, the Smoky Mountains have become the most visited national park with over 9 million visitors annually. Located near the beautiful towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, the park easily provides vacationers with a mix outdoor fun and nearby entertainment, including Pigeon Forge’s Dixie Stampede and Dollywood.

The 800 square mile park - about 187,000 acres – has a lot to explore, which can be done in a variety of ways. Auto touring is a favorite for many, as travelers can see gorgeous views of the wilderness from Highway 441. There are also plenty of scenic stops and flowing creeks to stop at, which make auto touring a relaxing way to take in the beauty of the area. Hiking in the Smoky Mountains is also a favorite activity and with over 150 official hikes to choose from, there is enough to see and do in the Great Smoky Mountains that visitors come again and again to see more of the scenic area.

The 75th Anniversary Smoky Mountain Celebration is presenting several events and activities. Here’s what’s happening this spring:

Music of the Mountains: Scheduled for March 28th, this event celebrates the Appalachian heritage of this area and the music it has created. There are six performances scheduled throughout the day, with the event commencing at 6:30pm with a concert by Jimbo Whaley.

Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage: This week-long event takes place April 22 – April 26. It is an educational event geared towards informing participants on the flora, fauna, and culture of the park. Headquartered at Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg, the event costs $20 for one day or $40 for two more days for adults. Students are $10 for one or more day and children 12 and under are free.

National Junior Ranger Day: This free event is scheduled for April 25 from 10am – 2pm. Children and their families can join in a variety of free hands-on activities that range from searching for salamanders to making dinner bells at a blacksmith shop. Historic toy making, weaving, wildflower searches, and other natural and cultural opportunities will be available.

Cosby in the Park: On May 16th, this free event will be open to the public from 10am – 4pm. This event spotlights the Cosby community, which is partially located in the Great Smoky Mountains. This event features old-time mountain music, storytelling, old-fashioned children's games, and traditional crafts.

Great Smoky Mountains Natioanl Park 75th Anniversary – Oconaluftee: Programs and exhibits will celebrate Smoky Mountain life from the Cherokee through park establishment on June 15. A ground breaking ceremony will symbolically initiate the construction of a new Oconaluftee Visitor Center and history cultural museum.

Battle of Burg Hill- Civil War Re-enactment: A Civil War Re-enactment and Living History Days of the historic Battle of Burg Hill, the only Civil War skirmish in Gatlinburg. Join hundreds of Civil War historian re-enactors camping and living as was done in 1865. Witness a battle between the Blue and Gray with infantry and canons. Learn the history and experience Civil War living first hand. Educational and entertaining for the entire family. This event is scheduled for June 19-21.

Dinner on the Grounds: Cliff Dwellers Gallery will host 'Dinner on the Grounds' as a fundraiser with all proceeds going to the Park. Dinners will be based on a typical 1930's Sunday noon meal similar to one served at the Wonderland Hotel at that time. Dinner will be served on Sunday, July 5, 2009 from 11 am to 3 pm. The charge will be the 1930's price of 35 cents plus a donation to the Park ($5.00 suggested minimum). This is the last of three 'Dinner on the Grounds.' Celebrate our country's 4th of July & the 75th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Art and Artists of the Great Smoky Mountains, Before and after the Creation of the Park: Art and Artists of the Great Smoky Mountains, before and after the Creation of the Park" is a feature exhibition of the East Tennessee Historical Society. Through historical works of art, the exhibition highlights the lives and artistic expression of artists both local and visiting who chose the Great Smoky Mountains as their subject. This exhibit begins July 20 and runs through October 4.

Stringtime in the Smokies: A musical celebration of Appalachian life with a variety of well-known performers appearing throughout the event. Featured music will include traditional, bluegrass, and Americana styles with an emphasis on bluegrass. Activities for youngsters are on-site, along with excellent festival foods. This event is scheduled for August 14 & 15.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th Anniversary - Park Rededication: On September 2 a rededication of the park, reminiscent of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s historic 1940 park dedication speech, will be enacted at the Rockefeller Memorial at Newfound Gap. Special invitations to attend the ceremony will be issued accompanied by live broadcasts at the parks gateway communities.

Mountain Life Festival: Join park staff and volunteers on September 19 as we celebrate the fall harvest. The Mountain Farm Museum will be alive with history as demonstrators provide visitors with a glimpse into the past as they make soap, apple cider, sorghum molasses, hominy, music and more.

97th Cherokee Indian Fair: Scheduled for October 6-10, the fair offers an opening parade, midway, fireworks, traditional Cherokee food and competitions that bring out the best of the Eastern Bands basket makers, carvers, quilters, gardeners and more.

Sawin' in the Smokies: Scheduled for October 17 & 18, this event will be a fall festival centered around a 10 event lumberjack and Chainsaw carving competition with auction. The lumberjack event will also be this years US national "Single Buck"(Cross-Cut saw) Championships. In addition, there will be storytellers, bluegrass music, and arts and crafts vendors. There will be pig catching contests for the children, along with pony rides, a mini petting zoo, and hayrides all weekend. Ample parking, restrooms, and concessions will be available. the event is being held in Wears Valley Tn,in a very nice old field, with the mountains, Cove Mountain in particular, towering above and all around.The chainsaw carvers will carve a "masterpiece" and have 2 seperate hour long "quick carves" with all work to be auctioned for charity.

Thanksgiving in the Mountains: Scheduled for November 23 - 29, Fontana Village will bring together all the food and activities that make Thanksgiving in the mountains what it is with cooking seminars by local chefs using locally grown and indigenous plants and meats, family fun and activities, arts & crafts, music and entertainment throughout the Village.

Festival of Christmas Past: 2009 will mark the 34th annual Festival of Christmas Past celebration, to be held Saturday, December 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center. The event, sponsored in cooperation with Great Smoky Mountains Association, is free to the public. The popular event is a celebration of Christmas and winter in the Smokies. Around Christmas time, people gathered in churches, homes, and schools, and many of them celebrated the holiday through music, storytelling, and crafts. The Festival of Christmas Past lets us pause and remember some of these traditions. The festival will include old-time mountain music and Old Harp singing, as well as demonstrations of traditional domestic skills such as the basketmaking, quilting, spinning, and apple butter making.

Holiday Homecoming: On Saturday, December 19, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host a holiday homecoming at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and the Mountain Farm Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The visitor center will be decorated for the holiday season and will include an exhibit on Christmas in the mountains in the past. Hot cider and cookies will also be served. The Davis/Queen farmhouse at the Mountain Farm Museum will be open for visitors to walk through and park staff and volunteers will provide demonstrations and music.

For a complete schedule of 75th Anniversary Events, click here.

KidsFest at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge begins June 12

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is presenting their biggest KidsFest yet this summer. Scheduled for June 12 – August 2, KidsFest is full of exciting shows and events geared specifically towards kids and the kid inside us all.

The festival is bringing back some park favorites, as well as introducing some new acts that are sure to amaze. The line-up for KidsFest 2009 is as follows:

Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers: Go wild this summer at Dollywood’s KidsFest with Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers, stars of the popular PBS Zoboomafoo series. See Chris and Martin live as they introduce an amazing array of their animal friends in this spectacular new show. Animal lovers of all ages will marvel at this magnificent menagerie of critters!

Journey to the Center of the Earth 4D: Come along for the ride of your life as Brendan Fraser stars as Professor Trevor Anderson along with his teen-aged nephew Sean and their mountain guide, Hannah, in the action-packed Journey to the Center of the Earth 4D adventure! The trio encounters a series of hair-raising close calls only to discover there is just one way out of this incredible odyssey! Their quest to discover a lost world will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Kamp KidsFest: This summer, you definitely want to plan a trip to Kamp KidsFest featuring Kreatures, Kritters & Krafts. Located in Dollywood’s Valley Exhibition Hall, Kamp KidsFest is crawling with animal encounters. Animal handlers from the Knoxville Zoo are on hand daily to let guests of all ages get up-close with a variety of small animals, remarkable reptiles and captivating bugs while sharing fascinating facts about each creature.

Sandscapes: If you think sand sculptures are something you only find at the beach or in a sandbox, you’re in for a surprise at KidsFest. Sandscapes, the 12-time World Sand Sculpture Champions, creates large-scale, three-dimensional sand sculptures. Located in the Village area near the Train Depot, Sandscapes’ original KidsFest designs will feature trains and animals made from a whopping 75 tons of sand. Some are even eight feet tall! Sculptures are on display throughout KidsFest, and you can watch the artists at work throughout the festival as they build new pieces.

Penguin Group USA presents Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse featuring the Penguin Players: It's the most fun playhouse anywhere--Dolly's Imagination Playhouse featuring the Penguin Players! See three children's books come to life onstage in lively 20-minute musicals featuring fun-filled sing-along songs, including music written by Dolly! This year, the captivating Penguin Players introduce two new stories along with the Watty Piper classic The Little Engine That Could. Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama Red Pajama tells the story of Baby Llama and his mama while teaching audiences that there’s no problem that’s too big for the two of them! Judy Schachner’s Skippyjon Jones is a rambunctious Siamese kitty boy with very large ears and a gigantic imagination to match, and he just can’t stay out of trouble. See all three this summer at Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse.

SkyZip Adventure at Dollywood Now Open

Starting in May 2009, you can add a special zip to your visit with Dollywood's first premium adventure, SkyZip. Fly like an eagle over Dollywood and experience the majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains as you've never seen them before. Be a pioneer in the sky as you explore the first multiple station zip-line attraction to open in a theme park.

Your hour-long SkyZip adventure includes experiencing up to five treks ranging in length from 100 to nearly 1,000 feet. Plus teeter above the treetops on a 100-foot-long swinging bridge. Each tour offers a distinctive point-of-view as you venture from point to point on an elevated and inclined wire high above the ground. Click here to view the Park Guide Map and see where you can fly on SkyZip.

SkyZip is the first of a series of above the ordinary experiences to launch exclusively at Dollywood. Stay tuned for new adventures launching later this year. In addition to park admission, a reserved ticket is required for each adventure. Gold Passholders save 20% on ticket prices.

Building or Area of Park: Wilderness Pass
Cost: $40 + park admission (tax not included)
This is an Outdoor attraction.

Dollywood's "Sha-Kon-O-Hey!" showcases the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

Dolly Parton’s Dollywood recently unveiled a new show – “Sha-Kon-O-Hey!-Land of the Blue Smoke” – which showcases Parton’s songwriting and her appreciation of the Great Smoky Mountains.

The one million dollar production is the largest and most elaborate in the theme park’s 24-year history. The new show coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The 45-minute production features eight original songs written by Dolly Parton, which were released on a CD entitled “Sha-Kon-O-Hey,” and takes audiences back to the time when the park was first being organized. The musical journey follows a reluctant family as it bids farewell to the area that eventually becomes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The captivating story introduces audiences to the settlers, the rail and lumberman, the Cherokee Warriors and shiners while honoring the spirit of the mountains and the heritage of the people who live there.

The production consists of eight singers/dancers and 10 acrobats plus a six-piece live band. The theater also compliments the production well, as guests are greeted by a cascading waterfall upon entering the theater, and other scenic elements and various stage effects are incorporated to create a unique telling of the land of the Smokies.

New Zip Line Attraction Unveiled at Dollywood

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is introducing a new attraction next month that will make zipping around their 150 acre theme park easier than ever. The new SkyZip attraction, a ride in which guests can pick from among 5 zip-line treks ranging in length from 100 feet to nearly 1,000 feet, including a 100-foot swinging bridge.

This is the first multiple station zip-line experience to open at a US theme park. The elevated and inclined zip line is safe and secure for guests as it works with a pulley & seating apparatus allowing visitors to zip from one point another propelled by gravity.

The unveiling of this new attraction coincides with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park 75th Anniversary, which is a bonus, as this tour will also provide an environmental and historical tour of undeveloped and unspoiled property surrounding Dollywood hosted by specially trained adventure guides.

The SkyZip tours are themed, depending on your launching point. Fliers can launch from a perch above the park's region called Wilderness Pass and soar to Dollywood's famed triple spiral-looping roller coaster, Tennessee Tornado, and beyond. Or Fliers can take a trail that takes adventurers breathtakingly close to Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. After a brief hike, the adventurers can zip above Craftsman's Valley, home to Dollywood's talented artisans, and back to the same point where their adventure began.

The SkyZip does require a fee in addition to regular Dollywood admission. It is operated by Hawaii based Skyline Eco-Adventures.

Dolly Parton's Homecoming Parade set for May 8

The Dolly Parton Homecoming Parade is set for May 8 2009. This is the events 24th year. The parade honors Pigeon Forge native Dolly Parton, and is especially poignant this year because she is also serving as the official ambassador of the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The parade is usually held in March, but has been moved to May to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days.

The parade will start at 6pm of Friday, May 8. The parade route stretches along the parkway, from Traffic lights 3 through 6. The parade will feature a variety of floats representing high school marching bands, Pigeon Forge theaters, car clubs, cheerleading teams, equestrian clubs and twirlers. The Sevier County High School Band will also perform.

Dollywood Opens this Weekend, March 28th

Dollywood is set to open this weekend, with opening day occurring on March 28th. The park expects this season to be great, and with “Festival Of Nations” kicking off their season, they are giving park goers plenty of reasons to attend the park this spring.

Festival of Nations will feature performers from around the world, giving the relatively small town of Pigeon Forge a big dose of international culture. A few of the scheduled performers include Dainava, a Folk art group from Southern Lithuanian, the Jennifer Roland Band, a Canadian fiddle player, and Atahualpa, a rhythmic group representing different areas of the Andes. Imagine, presented by Le Grand Cirque, is set to take the stage as well, and will feature daring acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, clowns and high wire artists.

Dolly Parton will be in Pigeon Forge the weekend of May 8, when she takes part in the annual Dollywood Parade in the city of Pigeon Forge.

As summer arrives in Sevier County, Splash Country will open with a new large-group pavilion and Dollywood will premiere Sha-Kon-O-Hey, its largest single production ever.

The show was written by park entertainment coordinator Paul Couch, while Parton added eight original songs to the production. The script tells the story of the last family in the Smokies as they leave their home at the creation of the park. Tracing roots all the way back to the Cherokee, it involves a huge stage set including a waterfall that parts to teach the lead character the park's creation will allow everyone to share the wonders of the Smokies while they live forever in his heart.

Special Dollywood Packages are available.

Dollywood Festival of Nations in Pigeon Forge begins March 28

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations presents the most captivating entertainment from around the world during this month long celebration of music, dance, food and art. The festival is scheduled for March 28th through April 27th. The Festival of Nations at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is an international adventure right in Tennessee.

This year, Dollywood is proud to welcome Le Grand Cirque as it presents Imagine. The unimaginable becomes spellbinding reality as a cast of premier international acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, clowns and high wire artists amaze audiences with their athletic ability, lavish costumes, dynamic lighting, mesmerizing music and breathtaking feats. And that's just the beginning of Dollywood’s celebration of music, artistry, foods and crafts from around the globe during Festival of Nations.

There are several other new additions to the Festival, including the Czech Pilsen Brass Band, the Jennifer Roland Band and Keona. The Czech Pilson Brass Band showcases a talented youth ensemble from the Czech Republic and will be performing March 28 – April 13. The Jennifer Roland Band features entertaining fiddle playing from Nova Scotia, Canada. They will perform the entire festival, from March 28 – April 27, as will Keona. Keona is an instrumental trio that features the hang drum, an instrument created in Switzerland in 2000. Their creative energy produces special performances you can only see at Dollywood.

Some favorites will also be joining the Dollywood Festival of Nations again. Atahualpa, a rhythmic group representing different areas of the Andes, presents music performed with traditional Incan instruments and South American dance for unforgettable lively performances. Calpulli Danza Mexicana consists of sixteen performers that blend the most highly recognized sounds and images of the Mexican region with vibrant costumes, ceremonial dances and festive music that honor the country’s rich heritage.

Dainava is a folk music group from Southern Lituhania. Dainava's unique sound incorporates such instruments as the skuduciai, kankles and skrabalai as well as the accordion, clarinet, panpipes and horns in a musical presentation that includes authentic and stylized songs and dances still performed today among Lithuania’s many villages.

The Royal Stiltwalkers of Merchtem Belgium take entertainment to new heights with their performances atop 12 foot high stilts. Belgium’s heritage is reflected in their clog dancing, folk songs and costumes. The Zambia Vocal Group is a combination of African tribes that form a collective sound representing a message that unites us all. The group's a capella performance includes traditional hymns and original songs which feature a unique combination of traditional African rhythms, vocal percussion and complex vocal harmonies.

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations in Pigeon Forge creates a wonderful atmosphere for fun. All of the regular attractions, rides and eateries are open during the festival too, so come on down for some international fun.

Pigeon Forge Hotels and Pigeon Forge Cabins are still available for reservations. Book yours today!

Dolly Parton to be inducted into GMA Hall of Fame

Dolly Parton, Michael W. Smith, Dr. Bobby Jones, The Dixie Hummingbirds and producer Lari Goss will be inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame next month.

The ceremony will be held Feb. 2 in Nashville.

Parton is best known for her country and pop hits, but she's also released gospel records and mainstream songs with Christian themes. The Southern Gospel Music Museum and Hall of Fame is located on the grounds of her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Michael W. Smith is one of the best known artists in Christian music with 18 albums and many hits, including some that crossed over to the pop charts.

Information courtesy of The Press of Atlantic City Media Group

Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg: #1 On Southern Living's "Best Weekend Getaway" List

Readers of Southern Living Magazine voted Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg #1 on their list of "Best Weekend Getaways" and #5 on their list of "Best Family Destinations" in the magazines annual "Readers' Choice Awards" poll. Results in 14 categories are in the January issue.

The area's family-friendly attractions, particularly the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, earned praise from the magazine's readers and editors, along with the scenic beauty of East Tennessee.

Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga topped the "Best Scenic View" list, which also featured two favorite destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park-Cades Cove (#6) and Clingman's Dome (#7), which is the highest point in Tennessee.

"The appeal of our attractions, lodging and dining, plus the spectacular beauty of the mountains resonates with our guests. That will be especially true as people visit this year during the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park," said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.

Pigeon Forge, which has only 5,800 residents but approximately 11 million visitors a year, offers guests a year-long calendar of special events, approximately 10,000 accommodations (hotel, motel, cabin, chalet), more than a dozen entertainment theaters, six outlet malls, craft shops, art galleries and attractions such as Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and WonderWorks.

A major new attraction, Belle Island Village, is projected to open this spring. Its major components include the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum and the Darrell Waltrip Racing Experience.

"Southern Living's 'Readers' Choice Awards' mean a lot. The magazine's circulation is 2.8 million, and its readers really know the South," Mr. Downey said.

Southern Living is the eighth largest monthly magazine in the U.S., and its readership is more than 16 million. Its "Readers' Choice Awards" are acknowledged as one of the largest reader-response programs in the publishing industry.

Other Tennessee favorites in the 2008 voting included Franklin at #5 on the "Best Small Town" list; Nashville at #5 on the "Best City" list; Nashville's Loveless Café and Pancake Pantry at #5 and #6 on the "Best Breakfast/Brunch" list; and the Memphis in May International Festival at #9 on the "Best Festival/Fair" list.

Balloting already has begun for the 2009 awards at www.southernliving.com/readerschoice. Voting ends on June 30, 2009.

Information courtesy of The Chattanoogan

Dollywood Highlights the Christmas Spirit with Festive Events

On a cold, damp Friday afternoon in early December, the crowd pouring into Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., was in complete agreement: it was unseasonably cold for this time of year.

It was not so cold that you couldn’t bundle up the family and walk around the 150-acre park, which was spectacularly decked out for its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas event and filled with the comforting hum of Christmas music. But it was cold enough to temporarily shut down the park’s three big roller coasters. And for a couple of itchy teenagers grumbling in the last car of Blazing Fury — an antique indoor coaster with a couple of mild drops — Dollywood was coming up short on Christmas miracles.

Call it the grade schooler’s revenge. Because as evening fell and the park filled up with hundreds of children on the right side of 10, it became clear that the holiday festivals that have cropped up at theme parks like Dollywood across the country probably aren’t meant to court thrill-seeking teenagers, who seemingly have the run of the parks in summer. Rather, they seem aimed at everyone else: packs of young parents quietly pushing strollers, babysitting grandparents huddled in cafes sipping coffee, nostalgic couples walking hand in hand, soaking in the flickering lights and charitable mood.

And lots — lots — of little boys and girls like Ellie Johnson, a blond, bespectacled 5-year-old.
“I like the Polar Express!” she shouted to her parents, Kevin and Jeny, extracting a wry, knowing smile out of her older sister, Cara. She was referring to the Polar Express 4-D Experience, a multisensory ride that shows a short version of the popular Christmas movie in 3-D, while moving seats rock riders back and forth and smells of hot cocoa fill the theater.

There are plenty of real warm drinks (including a wickedly sweet caramel cider) to wrap your hands around as you walk through the festival. Dollywood began the event 18 years ago, and it has since expanded to include four million lights, a 100-foot-tall Christmas tree light show, a lineup of musicals, a real coal-fired train that does a mile-plus loop through the park, and over 40 rides and attractions (including, when the weather holds out, Thunderhead, which is currently one of the top-rated wooden coasters in the world).

As the temperature dipped, people headed for Santa’s Workshop, an arts-and-crafts area where packs of adults warmed their hands around space heaters and browsed funny T-shirts (“Don’t blame me. I voted for Santa.”).

The children were free to tear around the enclosed 500-square-foot area and play with jumbo-sized toys. But one 8-year-old, Savannah Ledford, stood alone, quietly but fastidiously penning her letter to Santa.

“I want a computer game called Spore, and a Lego Castle play set,” she said, pursing her lips, then adding, “and a computer.”

“We had horses and ponies when I was younger,” her grandmother, Carolyn Ledford, added with a shrug. “But I guess they’re a lot of trouble.”

For all the attractions directed at kids, the event also draws couples without young children. For one young couple from Nashville, Stephen and Susan Curtis, the attractions are the light displays and Christian-themed shows.

For Jack and Debbie Williams, a couple in their 50s who regularly drive down from Maryland, the park holds a special place in their shared history. When they were young, Dollywood was a small tourist stop called Rebel Railroad. (It would change hands, and names, a few times before its current incarnation as Dollywood.)

“His parents brought him here when he was young because they knew the owners,” Ms. Williams said, pointing to her husband, “and my father brought us here because he was thinking about buying it from those same owners.”

They didn’t discover the Dollywood coincidence until years later, after they met in the Air Force and married. If everything goes as planned, the Williamses will move back to the Smoky Mountain area in the next few years.

When Dollywood opened in 1986, it was originally billed as a show park, and those roots are still evident in the heavy holiday lineup of stage shows. One of the sharpest is “Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland,” which showcases an impressive five-man acrobatic team, two talented young leads, and a spectacular grand finale.

Gabriel Myers, who plays the father, sat with some of his fellow castmates after the show, and talked about how it felt to do this year’s show as opposed to past ones.

“With the economic situation the way it is,” he said, taking a minute to choose his words, “everybody’s a little tense, a little worried and a little scared. So any kind of entertainment where you can help them get away from that for a second, and just feel the warmth of the holidays instead of all the coldness that’s going on right now — including the weather — it’s a good feeling for us.”

The festival is open through Jan. 3, though it is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve; admission is $51.30, and $40.15 for kids under 12.

Information courtesy of New York Times

Dollywood Wins 3rd International Heartbeat Award

Dollywood theme park claimed its third consecutive international Heartbeat Award along with three additional trophies at this year's International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo's Big E entertainment awards ceremony in Orlando on Nov. 20.

The latest awards bring Dollywood's total to 11 in the past three years, more than any other theme park in the world.

Dreamland Drive-In won the prestigious Heartbeat Award for the second time. The show claimed the same award in 2006, while the park's The Great American Country Show won in 2007. The Heartbeat Award recognizes the show that demonstrates superior overall ability in reaching the hearts of its audience. Candidates are judged on the commitment of the cast, the quality and content of the production and the effectiveness on the part of the producing organization in seeking to create a special connection with its audience. More than 160 productions were evaluated in the competition.

"We are very pleased to once again receive the Heartbeat Award along with the other recognition we received at this year's Big E Awards," said Dollywood's Director of Entertainment Paul Couch. "At Dollywood, we strive to touch the hearts of our audiences in a meaningful way. This award tells me and our industry that we are doing just that."

Dollywood's Gem Tones, an a capella group that performs '50s and '60s music, was named Best Atmosphere/Street Performer. Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers, a show which premiered in 2008 as the headliner of the park's annual KidsFest event, won honorable mention in the Best Live Edutainment Show category. Park performer Arnie Shaw from The Great American Country Show won honorable mention for Best Female Performer.

IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents more than 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries.

Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Open nine months a year, Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions including the award-winning coasters Thunderhead® and Mystery Mine®, live entertainment and crafters.

Information courtesy of Cybergrass Newsletter

Dollywood's Polar Express Ride a Unique Christmas Experience

All of a sudden, plates started flying. The seats started jerking. And faintly, you could smell a whiff of hot chocolate. All this was almost like taking a real ride on the “Polar Express” to the North Pole. But wait – in another minute, this railroad took a raw turn. Slipping off a long run of tracks, the train climbed and started skidding, crazily out of control, on a solid sheet of ice. By now, the motion seats at Dollywood’s Imagination Cinema had really started rocking. And then?Well, just as sudden it seemed, the “Polar Express” eased into Santa’s workshop, surrounded by countless elves.And there, staring at the face of Santa Claus, you just had to believe in magic.

All this is part of the new “Polar Express 4-D Experience,” a feature of Dollywood’s 19th annual Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.“This is a big show, where you’re kind of part of the whole thing,” the park’s namesake, Dolly Parton, said during a recent telephone interview. “It’s a wonderful thing for families. That’s our big Christmas thing.”

“Polar Express” riders wear 3-D glasses as they watch a short version of the popular Tom Hanks movie “Polar Express,” staged in the same theater that has been home to the action ride “Thunder Road,” off and on, for about a dozen years. Inside, Debbie Puckett, 47, of Ringgold, Ga., arrived at Dollywood early on a Saturday morning to be among the first in line for the ride.“I loved it,” Puckett said. “I liked the hot chocolate scene, the 3-D effect. And I really liked just the snippets of the movie.”

Puckett’s husband, Jackie Puckett, 56, chose to sit out, however, instead of being jerked around in the giant motion chairs of the Imagination Cinema. All that movement, he said, bothers his arthritis.Still, he watched the 12-minute-long movie in the theater – on a set of motionless bleachers. Outside, meanwhile, Robert Rester of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., stood at the front of the theater, ready to pose for pictures as the “Polar Express” train conductor. “There are two-hour waiting times for the ride,” Rester said. “All the guests I talk to are awestruck after viewing the 4-D. This is kind of a ride-slash-show. It’s really taken off.”

“Polar Express” is only one part of the Pigeon Forge theme park’s holiday happenings. Other attractions include a series of shows that range from song-and-dance routines to a live nativity scene. Still, the main attraction of all the holiday shows at Dollywood is “Babes in Toyland,” highlighted by the march of 21 toy soldiers and a surprise finale that soars above the crowd. Nearly an hour long, the explosive – and sometimes foggy – Dollywood’s “Babes In Toyland” production recently won an honorable mention for best overall production in 2007 by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

“Every year at Dollywood at Christmas is so special,” said Parton, an internationally known singer and actress. “We have so many people who come to the park.” This year, more than 4 million holiday lights are featured at the park, outlining longtime landmarks like the grist mill, train depot and the barn housing the park’s indoor roller coaster, the Blazing Fury, as well as countless trees and shrubs.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

What: Smoky Mountain Christmas

Where: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

When: Through Jan. 3

Information courtesy of Bristol Herald Courier

More Details Surface on Titanic's Pigeon Forge Attraction

The keel is being laid for Titanic Pigeon Forge, a towering ship-shaped museum/attraction devoted to the world’s best-known ocean liner.

Christening of the 30,000-square-foot structure that will resemble the romantic cruise ship will be in the spring of 2010. It is a $25 million project of Cedar Bay Entertainment, which also is the parent company of the first Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo.

Titanic Pigeon Forge will open a little more than a year after the opening of another major tourism investment in Pigeon Forge, the $114 million Belle Island Village mixed-used development that will begin serving guests this winter.

“Home port” for Titanic Pigeon Forge is a 5.69-acre site on the Parkway near the Black Bear Jamboree, the Miracle Theater and WonderWorks on the north end of Pigeon Forge. The city is a gateway community to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and attracts more than 11 million visitors a year.

“Constant change and growth are Pigeon Forge’s greatest assets,” said John Joslyn, president of Cedar Bay Entertainment. “Visitors have always enjoyed many reasons to return to the area, and Titanic Pigeon Forge will easily become yet another reason to stop, shop and be entertained and enlightened.”

Joslyn’s interest in the Titanic began as a producer of television specials, and he has been to the bottom of the North Atlantic to see the actual Titanic while working on specials about the “unsinkable” vessel.

The attraction will display hundreds of priceless Titanic artifacts in 20 galleries on two decks that will also contain exact replicas of the “Grand Staircase,” a first-class suite, a third-class cabin and the Marconi wireless room. The bridge will offer interactive features similar to those of its Branson sister ship.

Each visitor will receive a boarding pass bearing the name of a real Titanic passenger or crew member and will be able to touch an iceberg, experience the chill of 28-degree water, sit in an actual life boat, “steer” the ship and send an SOS message.

“Titanic Pigeon Forge will be a welcome addition to our city’s list of quality attractions,” said Pigeon Forge City Manager Earlene Teaster, noting that it will complement Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, WonderWorks, Belle Island Village, more than a dozen theaters, the Old Mill, Walden’s Landing and several outlet shopping malls.

Citizens National Bank has taken a leadership role in financing with the support of USDA Rural Development. Bob Fleming, president of Idletime is the creative director of the project; Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, Inc. is the architectural and engineering firm; and Turner Construction Co. is the contractor.

Cedar Bay Entertainment is a privately owned entertainment and development company headquartered in Branson. Its Titanic attraction there opened in 2006 and welcomed more than a million guests in its first two years.

A Tennessee connection to the Titanic . . . Of the wealthy first-class American passengers on the Titanic, the Carter family had deep Tennessee roots. Billy and Lucile Carter were on board with their two children, Lucile, 14, and William, 11. The family was prominent in Philadelphia society and entertained lavishly at residences in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Newport, R.I.

Lucile Polk Carter’s Southern lineage was rich with history. Her mother, Lou Ellen Hought Anderson, was born in 1844 in Clarksville, Tenn., where the family stayed until Lucile’s grandfather died in 1876. Her paternal grandfather, David Peale Polk, was the full third cousin of James K. Polk, the 11th president of the U.S., making her “Young Hickory’s” third cousin twice removed. To honor Lucile and her family’s Tennessee heritage, Titanic Tennessee will dedicate a first-class suite to the Polk-Carter family.

Information courtesy of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

More than 5 Million Lights Brighten the Pigeon Forge Winter Celebration

The lights are on, and the invitations out for the 19th annual celebration of Pigeon Forge Winterfest, an event that includes the start of the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The four-month-long event began Nov. 6 and continues through Feb. 28, 2009.

When Pigeon Forge says the lights are on, it really means it, because more than five million lights brighten scores of elaborate displays throughout the mountain resort community. Several displays—including the celebration´s signature snowflakes along the Parkway—have been fitted with energy-saving LED bulbs.

Dollywood enhances the first two months of Pigeon Forge Winterfest with Dollywood´s Smoky Mountain Christmas. New this year is the Polar Express 4-D Experience, described as "a magical cinematic experience" full of multi-sensory thrills and surprises. It is based on the beloved Caldecott Medal-winning children´s book by Chris Van Allsburg.

Dollywood adds to Winterfest´s light displays with more than four millions lights of its own and the nightly Lighted Christmas Parade. Its musical entertainment lineup includes "Dollywood´s Babes in Toyland," "Christmas in the Smokies" and "´Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Pigeon Forge has more than a dozen theaters, and most of them offer special Christmas shows during November and December before resuming non-holiday shows after New Year´s Day.

After the excitement of Christmas and New Year´s, Pigeon Forge Winterfest continues with two festivals and a special night of mountain music in January and February:

Wilderness Wildlife Week, Jan. 10-17, is the first. It began the same year as Winterfest as a Saturday afternoon activity and now offers eight days of programs and activities to spotlight Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More than 100 experts on nature and outdoor life present programs on many topics, and there are daily hikes and excursions into the national park.

Wilderness Wildlife Week is the first major participatory event on the official calendar of the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

AppalachiaFest on Jan. 13, is a one-night heritage musical event that complements Wilderness Wildlife Week. The Country Tonite Theatre is the venue, and the lineup features Tim O´Brien, Riley Baugus, Dirk Powell and Boogertown Gap. It, too, is a sanctioned 75th anniversary event.

Saddle Up!, a celebration of the American West, returns for the ninth year, Feb. 19-22 It brings some of the best western musicians and cowboy poets to the Smokies for a rare visit east of the Mississippi River. The lineup includes Wylie & the Wild West, the Quebe Sisters Band, Juni Fisher, Kent Rollins and Andy Wilkinson. Events include the Cowboy Symphony, concerts, a chuckwagon cookoff and Cowboy Church.

Pigeon Forge´s popular Trolley Tour of Lights, offered throughout Winterfest, allows guests to get a narrated tour of this Smoky Mountains resort town and a chance to see the major displays. One of the more elaborate displays depicts the city´s most significant historic site, the Old Mill. The actual mill was built in 1830 and still is in operation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Information courtesy of American Chronicle

Pigeon Forge Presents 19th Annual Winterfest

Pigeon Forge, Tenn., is gearing up for the 19th annual celebration of Pigeon Forge Winterfest™, an event made special by the opening of new attractions and the start of the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The four-month-long event starts Nov. 6 and concludes Feb. 28, 2009. Expansive and elaborate Winterfest light displays are located throughout the city. More than five million lights are used, and several displays – including the celebration’s signature snowflakes along the Parkway – have been fitted with energy-saving LED bulbs.

Dollywood enhances the first two months of Pigeon Forge Winterfest with its celebration of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. New this year is the Polar Express 4-D Experience, described as “a magical cinematic experience” full of multi-sensory thrills and surprises. It is based on the beloved Caldecott Medal-winning children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.
Dollywood adds to Winterfest’s light displays with more than four millions lights of its own and the nightly Lighted Christmas Parade. Its musical entertainment lineup includes “Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland,” “Christmas in the Smokies” and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Pigeon Forge has more than a dozen theaters, and most of them offer special Christmas shows during November and December before resuming non-holiday shows after New Year’s Day.

After the excitement of Christmas and New Year’s, the city continues Pigeon Forge Winterfest with two festivals and a special night of mountain music in January and February:

Wilderness Wildlife Week, Jan. 10-17, is the first. It began the same year as Winterfest as a Saturday afternoon activity and now offers eight days of programs and activities to spotlight Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More than 100 experts on nature and outdoor life present programs on many topics, and there are daily hikes and excursions into the national park. Wilderness Wildlife Week is the first major participatory event on the official calendar of the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

AppalachiaFest on Jan. 13, is a one-night heritage musical event that complements Wilderness Wildlife Week. The Country Tonite Theatre is the venue, and the lineup features Tim O’Brien, Riley Baugus, Dirk Powell and Boogertown Gap. It, too, is a sanctioned 75th anniversary event.

Saddle Up!, a celebration of the American West, returns for the ninth year, Feb. 19-22 It brings some of the best western musicians and cowboy poets to the Smokies for a rare visit east of the Mississippi River. The lineup includes Wylie & the Wild West, the Quebe Sisters Band, Juni Fisher, Kent Rollins and Andy Wilkinson. Events include the Cowboy Symphony, concerts, a chuckwagon cookoff and Cowboy Church.

Pigeon Forge’s popular Trolley Tour of Lights, offered throughout Winterfest, allows guests to get a narrated tour of this Smoky Mountains resort town and a chance to see the major displays. One of the more elaborate displays depicts the city’s most significant historic site, the Old Mill. The actual mill was built in 1830 and still is in operation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Information courtesy of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Dollywood Presents A Smoky Mountain Christmas

See the Smokies’ most spectacular light display and a lineup of live Christmas shows that celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, all at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. 4 million lights drape the park in holiday splendor, casting a warm glow that sets the scene for a winter wonderland like no other. Create a family tradition at Dollywood’s sensational shows, including the triumphant return of perenial favorites Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland and Christmas in the Smokies. Let the heartwarming sounds of the season set the stage for a Christmas the entire family will enjoy. Don’t miss Santa’s Workshop, where larger-than-life-sized toys and an 18-foot-tall Christmas tree fill guests of all ages with wide-eyed wonder as they discover a giant wagon, sailboat, dollhouse and more amid the hustle and bustle as Santa and his helpers ready for their big night! Santa’s also the star of the Parade of Lights, along with a cast of brightly lit floats and colorful characters.

"The Polar Express 4-D Experience"
Dollywood guests are invited on an extraordinary adventure this holiday season on THE POLAR EXPRESS 4-D EXPERIENCE! When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Christmas in the Smokies
Dollywood’s musical Christmas tradition features a 12-member cast and seven-piece band performing hometown holiday favorites that celebrate the joy of the season.

Dollywood's Babes in Toyland
It’s Dollywood’s most elaborate stage show ever—Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland! Featuring a cast of 20 performers and a fully-orchestrated musical score, this family classic follows “Alan” and “Jane” on their incredible adventure through Toyland. Along the way, the pair encounters a variety of characters who come to life through imaginative puppetry, amazing acrobatics, and spectacular scenery—all highlighted by the magnificent, show-stopping march of the giant toy soldiers! Celebrate an old-fashioned family Christmas sure to mesmerize audiences of all ages at Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland.

Santa's Workshop
Something’s new amid the hustle and bustle of Santa’s Workshop! Step inside the giant toy store, where larger-than-life-sized toys greet you this holiday season. Explore the fun, interactive activities—such as gazing through the oversized ViewMaster™. And of course, visit with Santa!

Appalachian Christmas
Celebrate an acoustic Christmas at the Back Porch Theatre with Appalachian Christmas. Let the beautiful sound of the music take you back to a simpler time.

Breakfast with Santa
Make a holiday memory for your little ones as they enjoy Breakfast with Santa. See the sparkle in their eyes as boys and girls share their Christmas wishes while the family dines on a delicious holiday breakfast at Aunt Granny's. Seating is first-come, first-served (reservations are not available) from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, 15, 22, 28, 29 and Dec. 6, 13 and 20. Additional Fee; Dollywood admission required.

Carol of the Trees
Each night thousands of lights and pyrotechnics synchronize with holiday music to transform our Rivertown Lake into a "seasonal symphony for the senses."

Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs
Celebrate a Southern Gospel Christmas as the Kingdom Heirs keep your spirits high with your favorite Christmas hymns and songs.

Dolly's Christmas Chapel
The Robert F. Thomas Chapel hosts worship services at 5:30 p.m. each Sunday throughout Smoky Mountain Christmas festival.

O' Holy Night
A little girl looks for an angel; three shepherds follow a star. They all find their way to the heart of “The Christmas Story.”

Parade of Lights
Everyone loves a parade, especially Dollywood’s daily Parade of Lights featuring Christmas floats adorned with brightly colored lights. Holiday characters add to the excitement as the parade makes its way, bringing holiday fun to everyone.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
A family finds its own Christmas miracle with the help of a mysterious, white-bearded stranger in this delightful musical featuring a 12-member cast and a five-piece band.

Victorian Melodies
Outfitted in period costumes, this melodious group strolls throughout Dollywood performing holiday music true to the Victorian era.

Information courtesy of Dollywood

Dollywood's National Gospel & Harvest Fest Continues Through Nov. 1

The Great Smoky Mountains are filled with beautiful fall color and the sound of Southern gospel music as Dollywood's National Gospel & Harvest Celebration offers more than 250 free concerts and the artistry of visiting craftsmen through Nov. 1 (closed Thursdays)

"Fall at Dollywood conjures up some of my favorite Smoky Mountain memories," Dolly Parton said. "Soulful gospel music fills the air and lots of talented folks remind me of a simpler time and place. And of course, the good food just can't be beat!"

This year's concert lineup features The McKameys (Oct. 10 & 11), Karen Peck & New River (Oct. 14 & 15), Brian Free & Assurance (Oct. 17 & 18), Jeff & Sheri Easter (Oct. 19 & 20), Gold City (Oct. 26 & 27), Tony Gore (Oct. 31 &Nov. 1) and many more. Dollywood's own award-winning Kingdom Heirs perform daily. All concerts are included with Dollywood admission.

Visiting crafters from across the country showcase their handiwork throughout the park. Handmade items include stained-glass ornaments, gemstone jewelry, landscape art, jewelry, musical instruments, dried floral arrangements, oil lamps, games, textile art, herbal soaps and lotions, pottery, china, primitive home décor and baskets. Many crafters will be demonstrating their work, creating one-of-a-kind pieces while guests watch and learn. Demonstrations include spinning, weaving and dyeing; paper making and bookbinding; loom weaving; nostalgic tractors; wool rug hooking; sorghum making; fiddle making; bobbin lace and tatting; woodworking and storytelling; Windsor chair making; rug hooking; woodworking, bee keeping and treenware.

Filled with captivating stories about cowboys and the Western prairie, Rusty's Trailblazing Chuckwagon, a completely restored 1901 John Deere wagon, pulls into Dollywood. Rusty fans the campfire flames with fascinating facts as he demonstrates Dutch oven cooking techniques. From "tongue to tailgate," Rusty's working wagon is an accurate model of chuck wagons that date back to the 1860s. Rusty shares his campfire cooking techniques as he depicts the chuck wagon's crucial role in feeding cowboys on long cattle drives. Rusty draws a crowd as he shares the finer details of cowboy coffee, an age-old technique that renders a perfect brew under the stars.

The fall harvest is overflowing in Dollywood's kitchens with mouthwatering dishes served at restaurants throughout the park and special food booths to celebrate fall's arrival. Maters & Taters serves red bliss potatoes & fried green tomatoes, while the Apple Market features golden-brown fried apple pies.

Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Open nine months a year (March 21, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009), Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region.

Information courtesy of Cybergrass Newsletter

Pigeon Forge Promises Beautiful Foliage, Exciting Entertainment During October

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a scenic wonder during the month of October. Brilliantly decorated in autumn hues and harvest décor, this Smoky Mountain Town delivers not only home-grown hospitality and entertainment, but also several great ways to explore the outdoors. With the Great Smoky Mountain National Park right next door, Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to see a show, stroll through Dollywood and hike to a gorgeous overlook featuring trees ablaze in color. You really can do it all in Pigeon Forge.

Pigeon Forge Shows offer a variety of options, but there are several shows that continue to be visitor favorites. Country Tonite, a production combining singing, dancing and pure showmanship, is the #1 show in the area. It delivers old country, new country and a little bit of gospel for good measure. Another top area show is Cirque de Chine. This spectacular show highlights the acrobatic abilities of its performers through segments featuring spine-bending moves, death-defying jumps and all around amazing feats of the human body. It’s a show the whole family will love to see again and again.

Three perennial Smoky Mountain favorites are The Comedy Barn, Black Bear Jamboree and Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show. These show staples round out the Pigeon Forge Must See Show List, and for good reason. The Comedy Barn Show is a hilarious round-up of comedy, magic, country and gospel and a little of the unexpected, such as ventriloquists and fire-eaters. The line-up creates one fast-paced variety show that will have you laughing ‘till the cows come home! Black Bear Jamboree is a unique show featuring the legends of the Black Bear of the Smoky Mountains. The farce-style set-up features a Hollywood crew trying to capitalize on the Black Bears of Tennessee, while the Bears and their friends foil their attempts over and over again. The hilarity ensues throughout the show, along with singing and dancing. Plus, there is a delicious feast consisting of the best of southern cooking is also served. The Blackwood Breakfast Show is a morning show featuring a mouth-watering southern breakfast and traditional gospel hits for your enjoyment. This variety show is a great way to start your day in Pigeon Forge.

After all of the excitement had at the shows, you’ll want a nice place to rest your head at night. Pigeon Forge Hotels offer a variety of options, so there’s sure to be something that fits your budget and your needs. The Hotel Pigeon Forge, Grand Resort Hotel, Governors Inn, All Season Suites, RiverStone Resort, Quality Inn – Dollywood Lane and EconoLodge Riverside are a few of the top sellers in Pigeon Forge. They all offer great rates and convenient locations.

National Gospel & Harvest Festival begins October 3 at Dollywood

Fall at Dollywood will lift you up with the biggest Southern gospel festival in the Smokies—four weeks featuring more than 250 FREE concerts! Plan now to see The Isaacs (Oct. 5-6), The McKameys (Oct. 10-11), Brian Free & Assurance (Oct. 17-18), Legacy Five (Oct. 24-25), The Greenes (Oct. 31-Nov. 1) and many, many more during the National Gospel and Harvest Festival. Watch visiting crafters at work throughout the park as the country’s most talented artisans showcase their artistry with up-close demonstrations. Handmade treasures for the home, unique collectibles and stunning artwork create an impressive craft exhibit you won’t find anywhere else. Special dishes, all prepared with a taste of fall, showcase some of the harvest season’s most celebrated recipes, including a booth devoted to Dollywood’s signature fried green tomatoes.

More Great Features

Harvest Celebration Crafters
Each fall unique artisans share their crafts with hundreds of thousands of visitors during the Harvest Celebration. Keep watching here for information on our 2008 crafters. For a complete list of crafters, click here.

National Gospel & Harvest Celebration Performers
Southern Gospel Performers We raise the rafters and your spirits with performances by more than 30 of the most popular groups in 250 free concerts. For a full schedule of performers, click here.

Woodcarving Showcase & Competition
Don’t miss one of the southeast’s top woodcarving events at Dollywood’s 17th annual Woodcarving Showcase and Competition (Oct. 3 – Oct. 5). See demonstrations by master carvers each day as they showcase this unique art form through a variety of carving styles. Each day features a special carving event including whittling contests and the Great Pumpkin Carving Competition. For a complete schedule of woodcarving events, click here.


Information courtesy of Dollywood

October Festivals in the Smokies

According to the National Park Service, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most visited national park in the country. The Smokies are filled with wildlife, waterfalls, and historic buildings. While all of these are definitely sights worth seeing, one of the main attractions comes during fall when the Smoky Mountains show off their artwork in the form of beautiful scenery, inspirational music and traditional crafts.

During the month of October, the leaves begin to change and Mother Nature puts on her annual art show with exhibits of amazing color. Enjoy the performance art of music as numerous entertainers fill the air with toe-tappin', hand-clappin' gospel music during this month as well. Artisans from all over the south will also gather in the Smokies to display the art of craft making that has been handed down for generations. Just take a peek at the opportunities that await you in October.

Your Own Private Viewing

October starts a pilgrimage to the Smoky Mountains for those who love the turning of the leaves. Once green and brown, the trees make an unforgettable transformation into brilliant shades of red, gold, and orange. The mountains suddenly become a canvas that could have been painted by Monet himself. This great show of color is a must see, but with so many visitors the roads through the mountains can quickly become crowded. Don´t let that discourage you. Here are some tips for taking in the beauty without becoming part of the multitude.

If you plan an overnight trip to the Smoky Mountains, make arrangements to rent a nearby Pigeon Forge cabin. By staying in a cabin you'll find yourself nestled in the middle of the breathtaking scenery where you can enjoy the peace and quiet. Perhaps your trip is only for a day. In that case, take a hike on one of the many trails that wind through the park. Trails range from those for novice hikers to ones for the tried and true experts. Hiking gives you an up close and tranquil view of the gorgeous fall foliage instead of seeing it through the window of your car.

That Good Ole Gospel Music

During the month of October you can enjoy the art of music at Dollywood's National Gospel & Harvest Celebration. Over 30 popular gospel groups will perform more than 250 free concerts that are sure to lift your spirits. Jeff and Sheri Easter, Kingdom Heirs, Paid In Full and The Kingsmen are just a few of the groups that will be there to entertain you at the biggest southern gospel festival in the Smokies.

If you find yourself hungry at the end of the show, visit one of the many booths offering dishes prepared from local ingredients. Traditional favorites such as fried green tomatoes are just one of the many treats available to purchase.

Generation after Generation

Voted one of the top 20 events by the Southeast Tourism Society, the Craftsmen's Fair in Gatlinburg is truly amazing. You´ll find this collection of more than 200 artisans at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Not only can you buy their works of art, but you can also watch as they create these treasures using techniques that have been passed down for generations. Looking for a birthday or Christmas gift? What about a treat for yourself? You´ll find countless unique works of art at the October Craftsmen´s Fair.

With magnificent exhibits of all types, the sights and sounds of the Smoky Mountains are quite impressive. There's plenty to do in October, so make your plans now. You don't want to miss a minute of the fun.

Information courtesy of Volunteer Cabin Rentals

Dollywood Claims Best Christmas Event at 2008 Golden Ticket Awards

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas festival won Best Christmas Event during the 2008 Golden Ticket Awards on Sept. 3, 2008, at the Give Kids the World Village, in Kissimmee, Fla.
Dollywood was a finalist in eight categories, more than any other park in the world.

Dollywood received 38 percent of the votes in this new category created for the 2008 Golden Tickets. Dollywood's Thunderhead, twice named the number one wooden coaster in the world, placed second in the rankings of Top 50 Wooden Roller Coasters in the World. Dollywood also captured second place for honors for Best Food, Best Shows and Friendliest Park. Dollywood took third place honors for Cleanest Park 9 (a tie with Magic Kingdom), and fourth place for Best Landscaping. In the Best Park category, Dollywood ranked tenth place.

"We commend the Golden Ticket Award winners and all of the finalists for their varied achievements," says Gary Slade, publisher and editor-in-chief of Amusement Today. "These awards are the pinnacle of honors in the amusement industry, and it is nice to recognize parks and attractions around the world who are striving for excellence each and every day."

The Golden Ticket Awards are presented to the "best of the best" in the amusement industry and calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today magazine. Surveys were sent to a database of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans around the world--in balanced geographical regions--asking them to rate the "bests" in 25 categories such as amusement parks, roller coasters, shows, friendliest staff and water rides.

Amusement Today newspaper covers international amusement and water park news and trends and in its 12-year history is a five-time winner of various awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Give Kids The World Village is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Open nine months a year (March 21, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009), Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

Pigeon Forge Welcomes the Fall Season with Festivals, New Attractions and Special Events

Pigeon Forge takes a cue from the fall color change in the adjacent Great Smoky Mountains National Park and puts on its autumn wardrobe during the 12th Annual Pigeon Forge Harvest Festival from Sept. 12-Oct. 31.

Businesses throughout this tiny town of 5,800 residents (and 11 million annual visitors) erect fanciful fall displays of hay bales, scarecrows, cornstalks, pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, mums and other symbols of the season. A variety of special events and new attractions complement the décor.

The Dollywood theme park, Tennessee’s most visited ticketed attraction, gets a jump on the celebration with Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass (Sept. 5-28), a festival featuring barbeque of all descriptions and more than 500 free concerts by performers such as Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, the Del McCoury Band, Cherryholmes, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Grascals and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage.

The Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Crafts Festival covers an entire month (Sept. 27-Oct. 25). It is one of the region’s biggest crafts festivals, attracting almost 50 craftsmen, artists and exhibitors from more than a dozen states. It takes place under huge red and white tents at Patriot Park. Rotarians staff the event, and proceeds benefit numerous charities.

Dollywood re-enters the festival picture with its National Gospel & Harvest Celebration from Oct. 3-Nov. 1. Southern Gospel music will reverberate through the park, with more than 250 free concerts from artists such as Jason Crabb, the Isaacs, the McKameys, Karen Peck & New River, Jeff & Sheri Easter and Gold City.

During the festival, an array of visiting crafters will showcase their handiwork, and numerous demonstrations are scheduled. Among them are spinning, weaving, sorghum making, fiddle making, rug hooking and woodworking.

An event-within-an-event is Dollywood’s 17th Annual Woodcarving Showcase (Oct. 3-5). The showcase features more than 75 of the nation’s most talented carvers competing for prizes and bragging rights. There’s even a special pumpkin carving contest on Oct. 5.

New elements on the Pigeon Forge entertainment, dining and attractions scene include:

Adventure Quest—An indoor collection of active diversions, including Odyssey, a mirror maze; Pirate Golf, a blacklight experience; and the Vault, a laser challenge.

Flying Horse Grill—A family-friendly restaurant featuring contemporary American cuisine and a fully operational Italian carousel.

Grand Majestic Theater—Presenting the music of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and the Andrews Sisters in “Swing Time.”

Smoky Mountain Showplace Theatre—Now showcasing the Florida Boys, one of Southern gospel music’s most celebrated acts.

Spin City—A contemporary version of a nostalgic roller rink, now offering theme nights, video displays, colorful lighting displays and a DJ.

WonderWorks—Now offering complimentary second-day admission with purchase of Wonder Combo or Ultimate Combo tickets.

Information courtesy of Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism

Image courtesy of Dollywood

Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival Heats up at Dollywood

Get ready for three weeks of barbeque that sets your taste buds on fire and more than 500 FREE bluegrass concerts featuring award-winning artists like Ricky Skaggs (Sept. 5 & 6), the Del McCoury Band (Sept. 7 & 8), Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (Sept. 14 & 15) at Dollywood’s BBQ & Bluegrass festival. The inviting aroma of slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork and barbequed chicken—all piled high and piping hot—draw you to barbeque headquarters in Market Square. And more than the grill is sizzling as bluegrass pickers fill every stage with that high, lonesome sound for 21 days of bluegrass music’s best artists each day.

“It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of bluegrass music, and I love great barbeque, too,” Dolly Parton said. “I love to sing one and cook the other, so it’s only natural that I would treat folks to my Barbeque & Bluegrass festival at Dollywood each year. Whether it’s your ears or your appetite, you’ll find something you’ll love!”


On the Fountain Stage, the competition really heats up as professional chefs go head to head in a battle of the burners at Dollywood’s Sizzlin’ Chef Showdown! This kitchen challenge pits creativity against the clock as minutes turn into masterpieces in a rivalry where the best chef rules.

BBQ & Bluegrass Performers

Performers 2008 Dates
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder September 5 & 6
Cadillac Sky September 5 & 6
NewFound Road September 7
The Del McCoury Band September 7 & 8
Cherryholmes September 9 & 10
Marty Raybon September 12 & 13
Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road September 13 & 14
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver September 14 & 15
Williams & Clark Expedition September 14 - 17
Alecia Nugent September 16 & 17
Seldom Scene September 19
Riders in the Sky September 19 & 20
Bradley Walker September 20 & 21
Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike September 21
J. D. Crowe & the New South September 22 & 23
Grascals September 24
Grasstowne September 26
Kenny & Amanda Smith September 26 - 28
King Wilkie September 27
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage September 27 & 28

Not only is the music smokin’ hot during the BBQ and Bluegrass festival, so is the endless selection of delicious barbeque. Head to Market Square—barbeque headquarters—where you’ll find succulent ribs by the slab, the best barbequed chicken and perfectly pleasing pulled pork. Save room for the sides like baked beans and coleslaw.


Visiting chefs will be on hand with helpful demonstrations and some great grilling tips to make you look like a pro at your next backyard barbeque. Impress your guests with a tasty barbeque sauce or a spicy rub from the Sauce Tastin’ Station.



Information courtesy of Dollywood

Dollywood Lines Up New Thrills for 2009 Season

Dollywood's 2009 season features the new Adventure Mountain attraction and Imagine presented by Le Grand Cirque, the new show that will headline Dollywood's annual Festival of Nations in the spring.

Adventure Mountain celebrates the great outdoors and natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which marks its 75th anniversary in 2009. Dollywood is located near the entrance to the national park, the most-visited in the country, which welcomes more than 10 million guests annually.

"The beautiful Smoky Mountains have long inspired me and my music, and they're certainly at the heart and soul of my Dollywood theme park," Parton said. "My new Adventure Mountain attraction not only lets families explore the great outdoors together, but it's a way for all of us to celebrate these mountains and the folks like me who call them home."

Adventure Mountain, a two-acre outdoor terrain, will be located in Wilderness Pass, home of Dollywood's award-winning coasters Thunderhead and Mystery Mine. The $5 million addition features five different courses to challenge the strength and skill of every member of the family. Guests will encounter a waterfall gorge, rugged mountain trails, and zip lines. Guests can engage in individual pursuits or family competitions. Visitors will get a rare glimpse into the lives of park rangers who protect and preserve forestland as they learn to tackle the elements. Rugged mountaineers can choose from a variety of nature's challenges to test their skill and agility. Young tenderfoots can take an Adventure Mountain trek to Camp Teachittoomee. Ranger guides introduce tykes to kid-friendly adventures, teaching them new skills and crafts to prepare them for outdoor adventures of their own.

During Dollywood's Festival of Nations, the park unveils Imagine presented by Le Grand Cirque. A cast of world-class international athletes, performers and acrobats combined with beautifully executed costumes and sets perform feats to dazzle the eye and stretch the boundaries of the imagination. Imagine delivers acts that include pole climbing, contortionists, men's bungee, mime artists, hand balancing, unicyclists, silk ropes and a Diablo act. Imagine also is renowned for its dramatic lighting effects, which include one act performed under an ultra-violet light. Dollywood's Festival of Nations begins March 28, 2009, and concludes April 28, 2009.

Dollywood is a 130-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Open nine months a year (March 21, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009), Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region.

Information courtesy of Dollywood

Dolly Parton Brings Tour to Pigeon Forge

Dolly Parton is coming to town! She will be in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee August 16th and 17th at Dollywood. She will be performing three shows over the course of the two days and will also do two park tours. Tickets for the show are included in the admission price for Dollywood, and cannot be purchased seperately.

Her performances will he held at the Celebrity Theater, inside Dollywood. On August 16th she will take the stage at both 2pm and 7pm, and on August 17th, she will appear on stage at 2pm only. Proceeds from the show will benefit her Imagination Library Program.

Image courtesy of DollyPartonMusic.Net

Pigeon Forge Vacation Packages Perfect Way to Save

ReserveDirect has joined forces with Dollywood to offer some of the best ways to save on your Pigeon Forge vacation. By combining the family-friendly theme parks in the Dollywood Theme Park family, Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, with affordable yet comfortable lodging options has enabled ReserveDirect to offer customers some of the best Pigeon Forge deals around. Plus, their website, ReservePigeonForge.com, is a valuable resource where customers can create their own package in a secure, convenient and reliable manner.

As mentioned earlier, the Smoky Mountain Adventure Packages currently be offered by ReserveDirect and Dollywood allow guests to choose how many parks, how many days and which lodging option is the best to them, all at a discount rate. These packages are a great way to top off the summer for your children, but will continue to be available throughout the year. So, if your family has always wanted to experience a Smoky Mountain Christmas, get in on one of these great deals today and by Christmas time, you and your family will be enjoying the crisp mountain air of winter in the Smokies.

Other packages we offer feature a homegrown family of entertainers, The Smith Family, as well as Country Tonite and Wonderworks.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a great place to vacation any time of year. This year, make sure your family gets in on the fun!

Polar Express 4-D Bound for Dollywood

Kicking off on Nov. 8, Dollywood’s 19th annual Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival will feature The Polar Express 4-D Experience, a theme-park attraction based on the performance-capture movie from Warner Bros. and director/producer Robert Zemeckis. The attraction will be open through Jan. 3, 2009, in the Pigeon Forge, Tenn. park’s Imagination Cinema.

The Polar Express is based on the Caldecott Medal-winning children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. The story revolves around a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole. SimEx-Iwerks is the worldwide exclusive distributor of the theme-park installment, which employs stereoscopic 3-D and multi-sensory effects to make believers of visitors. As park attendees arrive at the North Pole, it begins to snow inside the 4-D Special FX Theater, and when the conductor sings “Hot Chocolate” and the dancing waiters begin to pour, the audience can smell the aroma of cocoa.

Dollywood is a 130-acre family adventure park that operates mid-March through Jan. 3. The Smoky Mountain Christmas festival includes a lineup of award-winning entertainment including the shows Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland, Christmas in the Smokies, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, An Appalachian Christmas, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, The Victorian Melodies, O’ Holy Night, Carol of the Trees and a nightly Lighted Christmas Parade.

Information & Image courtesy of Animation Magazine

Dolly Parton's Dollywood And ReserveDirect Encourage Travel By Offering Discount, Lodging-Inclusive Vacation Packages To Save Customers Money

Earlier this spring, Dollywood introduced their new vacation packages program to aid families during difficult economic times. These money saving packages, developed by reservation technology company, ReserveDirect, were created to combine the award-winning theme parks, Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country, with an assortment of approved Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area lodging, allowing guests to reserve their vacation package with a twenty percent discount in comparison with walk-up prices.

The all-inclusive design of the Dollywood vacation packages allow customers to reserve park tickets and lodging in one convenient, money-saving package— something Tim Berry, Marketing Director of the Dollywood Company, was searching for. “We needed a system to communicate directly with our in-house ticketing system to provide seamless transactions. So, now that ReserveDirect’s system is speaking to ours, we are able to provide our customers a great added value of money-saving, lodging-inclusive packages.”

John Johnson, President of ReserveDirect, added “Even though these are tough times, economically speaking, we felt that by partnering with Dollywood, we could offer families a way to save money and still go on vacation. With our service, you can get your Dollywood tickets and hotel for a lot less money and have the same amount of fun.”

ReserveDirect has been providing online reservation technology since 2001 with the launch of their destination website, ReserveBranson.com. In 2004, ReserveDirect also launched ReservePigeonForge.com and ReserveGatlinburg.com to service the Smoky Mountain family vacation destinations.

A St. Louis based company, ReserveDirect has provided similar solutions for lodging associations and destination marketing organizations in markets like Branson, Missouri; Eureka Springs, Arkansas; Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee; and Orlando, Florida. ReserveDirect also operates its own consumer booking engines in each of these destinations, as well as services for Polk County, Florida, Table Rock Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and Springfield, Missouri Convention and Visitors Bureau.

7 Ways to Save on your Pigeon Forge Vacation

The summer season has arrived, ushered in with warm weather days and endless play for children throughout the country. Many families choose this time of year to hit the open road and enjoy the always needed family vacation. Even though gas prices are high, and budgets are tight, there is still one vacation destination making it easy for families to get away together. The Smoky Mountains, home to both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, provide the perfect way for outdoor fun to combine with family entertainment, creating a one-stop, have-it-all type destination. So fill up the family car, stock your cooler with drinks and snacks and gear up for a vacation full of memories.

Here are 7 ways to save while visiting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg:

1) Use the Trolley System. The Pigeon Forge Trolley system has over 100 stops throughout Pigeon Forge and the Parkway, including Dollywood. It’s a good way to see all of Pigeon Forge’s attractions and sights, without having to pay for gas. The Trolley fare is only 50 cents. Plus, there is a new addition, connecting Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg, a convenient connection making both destinations easily accessible.

2) Cut corners by cutting into Pigeon Forge Coupons. Coupons for Pigeon Forge are available, as well as Coupons for Gatlinburg, for restaurants and shopping. A few of the restaurant coupons featured are Hard Rock Café, Great American Buffet, Alamo Steakhouse and Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que. The shopping coupons include discounts at Tanger Outlet, Belz Outlet, The Old Mill and Christmas Place.

3) Discover our Direct Deals page on our websites ReservePigeonForge.com and ReserveGatlinburg.com. There are discount Pigeon Forge tickets and discount Gatlinburg attractions available, including deals on Country Tonite, The Smith’s Show, The Track, Ripley’s Museum, RainForest Adventures and Ober Gatlinburg.

4) Pigeon Forge Vacation Packages and Gatlinburg Vacation Packages are also great ways to save on your family getaway. On ReservePigeonForge.com and ReserveGatlinburg.com there are several discount packages available featuring Country Tonite, WonderWorks, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and Tennessee Shindig.

5) Reserve a Dollywood Package. The 2008 Dollywood Adventure Packages allow guests to conveniently one-stop shop. Families can book their Dollywood Tickets, Splash Country Tickets and lodging all in place and one great price! Only Dollywood and ReserveDirect offer these great Dollywood deals!

6) Explore the Great Smoky Mountains! While in the area, discover the most visited National Park in America, the Great Smoky Mountains. Full of things to do for the whole family, take advantage of the hiking trails, waterfalls, scenic views and wildlife for a truly memorable experience. It’s a free and fun way to enjoy the outdoors and your family.

7) Take advantage of discount Pigeon Forge show tickets for children. Shows like Country Tonite, The Smith’s Show and Black Bear Jamboree are offering deals where children get in free with a paying adult! With prices like that, families can’t afford not to go!

Kratt Brothers bring their 'Creature Adventures' to Pigeon Forge

Self-named "creature adventurer" Chris Kratt has met thousands of animals living on every continent but Antarctica. He's nearly fallen off an elephant's back while filming tigers in India. He's munched on big ants to experience a chimpanzee's diet and relaxed in a volcanic hot tub with snow monkeys in Japan.

Now the co-star of the animal-focused, child-oriented television series "Zoboomafoo," "Kratts' Creatures" and "Be the Creatures" is excited about spending his summer at Dollywood.

And it's not the lure of the Pigeon Forge amusement park's famous water rides. It's the call of the neighboring Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The man who's explored the Amazon and spent time around polar bears in Alaska plans to take time to explore the national park that straddles Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. He's been to a part of the park before, briefly, visiting older brother Martin Kratt and helping to find a "really cool" hellbender salamander species.

"It's a great place if you like salamanders. Actually there are more salamander species in the Smokies area than anywhere in the world," says Chris Kratt.

And Chris and Martin Kratt, known in the television and animal world as the Kratt Brothers, like salamanders. And frogs. And about every other animal that they have - and have not - met.
"There are still plenty of animals I've love to meet - giant pandas, red pandas. Gosh, I've love to see a blue whale, a sperm whale, emperor penguins."

Animals and adventure are cornerstones of the brothers' live show at Dollywood during the park's KidsFest. The festival begins today and ends Aug. 3.

Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers includes live animals native to the Smokies plus animals like a baby kangaroo and baby zebra. There are other animals too, Kratt promises, but he wants to keep an element of surprise.

The show's premise is that Dolly Parton herself called in the brothers for help after she noticed animals that she's never seen before in East Tennessee. The siblings must rescue the creatures and restore order to the animal kingdom.

Growing up in suburban northern New Jersey, Martin and Chris Kratt always loved animals. They studied zoology and biology in college and decided to combine science, nature and entertainment by creating animal programs for children. They packed a camcorder, backpacks and surfboards and headed to Costa Rica. They edited their video in the basement of their parents' home.

The children they showed the film to at school assemblies loved it. The television producers and officials hated it. But then a new director of children's programs at PBS watched the video with children. The result was their first series, "Kratts' Creatures." That was followed by "Zoboomafoo," a Kratt-created word to sound like it was original to Madagascar; and "Be a Creature." The brothers are working on a new series.

The brothers call themselves "creature adventurers" because that embraces their educator-entertainer-scientist roles. "We are scientists; we do like to teach kids. I guess we are entertainers but that's the last thing we think of ourselves really," says Chris Kratt.

The Kratts have established Kratt Brothers Creature Hero Society, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children help animals. Through that, they've bought land in the western United States and set up the Grizzly bear Grizzly Gulch refuge. An environmental message is subtle but present in their show.

"We just think the natural world and animals and nature are just really exciting, really fun. With our shows, we are trying to show our own excitement and ignite it in anybody we can. … People can decide if they want to do something to continue to have these things in the world."

Information courtesy of Knoxville News Sentinel

Image courtesy of Dollywood

Dollywood's KidsFest Offers Family Fun starting June 13

Go wild this summer at Dollywood’s KidsFest with Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers, the original creature adventurers, and all of their amazing animal friends! See Chris and Martin Kratt, stars of PBS’ popular Zoboomafoo series, as they introduce a fascinating cast of creatures.

Be on the lookout for everyone’s favorite veggies—Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber—alongside the pirates who don’t do anything as VeggieTales® LIVE! returns to Dollywood in the most hilarious stage show ever.

Over at Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse, the Penguin Players are back with three fun-filled sing-along stage shows.

Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers
Go wild this summer at Dollywood’s KidsFest with Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers, stars of the popular PBS Zoboomafoo series. See Chris and Martin live as they introduce an amazing array of their animal friends in this spectacular...

Kamp KidsFest
This summer, you definitely want to plan a trip to Kamp KidsFest featuring Kreatures, Kritters & Krafts. Located in Dollywood’s Valley Exhibition Hall, Kamp KidsFest is crawling with animal encounters. Animal handlers from the Knoxville...

Sandscapes
If you think sand sculptures are something you only find at the beach or in a sandbox, you’re in for a surprise at KidsFest. Sandscapes, the 12-time World Sand Sculpture Champions, creates large-scale, three-dimensional sand sculptures. ...

VeggieTales® LIVE
Kids will be begging for their veggies this summer as VeggieTales' Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber star in the VeggieTales LIVE stage production! Audiences will be drowning in laughter during this boatload of fun as Bob and Larry match wits with...

Cas & Walker (Roving Characters)
Be on the lookout for our cast of friendly roving KidsFest characters as they bring smiles and laughs to guests throughout the park. Meet legendary outdoorsman Cas and his trusted companion Walker, the bluetick hound, as they live their own Smoky...

Miss Penny & Patches the Scarecrow (Roving Characters)
Be on the lookout for our cast of friendly roving KidsFest characters as they bring smiles and laughs to guests throughout the park. In Country Fair, you’ll find Patches the Scarecrow who sneaked away from the Piggy Parade ride and is now strolling...

Penguin Group USA presents Dolly's Imagination Playhouse™ featuring the Penguin Players
It’s the most fun playhouse anywhere—Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse featuring the Penguin Players! See three children’s classics—The Little Engine That Could, The Gruffalo, and Hank the Cowdog—come to life onstage.

Information & Image courtesy of Dollywood

Dollywood Hosts Thrills in the Hills Event June 6-8

Roller coaster fans from across the country will converge on Dollywood this weekend for the theme park’s first-time Thrills in the Hills event set for June 6-8.

“Thrills in the Hills is a much-anticipated opportunity to see some very unique rides from a really up-close perspective that isn’t ordinarily available,” said Matthew Lambert, American Coaster Enthusiast member, “but everyone is really looking forward to enjoying the warm Southern hospitality that Dollywood is known for.”

Approximately 70 attendees will enjoy exclusive ride time and behind-the-scenes tours of the park’s coasters, including Thunderhead, twice named the best wooden coaster in the world by the Golden Tickets Awards, and Mystery Mine, Theme Park Insider’s 2007 best new themed attraction, as well as the Tennessee Tornado and Blazing Fury. Participants also will see two of Dollywood’s award-winning stage shows—the 2006 international Heartbeat Award winner Dreamland Drive-In and the 2007 winner, The Great American Country Show. The weekend’s itinerary also offers opportunities to visit Dollywood’s Splash Country and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede dinner attraction.

“It’s an honor for Dollywood to host Thrills in the Hills and showcase all that our properties have to offer,” said Pete Owens, Dollywood Public Relations Manager. “We hope Thrills in the Hills is the first of many events of this type.”

Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Open nine months a year (March 21, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009), Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region.

Information & Image courtesy of Dollywood

Two Award-winning Shows Highlight Dollywood's 2008 Live Entertainment

Dollywood’s 2008 entertainment lineup treats guests to two international Heartbeat Award-winning stage shows—Dreamland Drive-In and The Great American Country Show— along with a roster of entertainment that showcases bluegrass, Southern gospel and mountain music.

Awarded by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the Heartbeat Award recognizes the show that demonstrates superior overall ability in reaching the hearts of its audience. Candidates are judged on the cast’s commitment, the production’s quality and content, and the effectiveness on the part of the producing organization in seeking to create a special connection with its audience. Annually, more than 100 shows from around the world compete for the honor.

“Being recognized by IAAPA’s Heartbeart Award two years running is an honor that we at Dollywood are extremely proud of,” said Director of Entertainment Paul T. Couch. “It really speaks to the quality and commitment of our performers, crews and creative teams that work so hard to produce shows that go the extra mile in connecting with our audience.”

Dreamland Drive-In, the 2006 Heartbeat Award winner, premiered May 13, 2006, and showcases the much-loved music of the ‘50s and ‘60s. The show’s setting is a drive-in diner where the local radio station holds live broadcasts every Saturday afternoon. The production’s storyline takes audiences on a nostalgic trip down memory lane as a 15-year romance unfolds between the show’s two central characters—“Danny the DJ” and “the girl in the green dress.” Bridging the gap between 1956 and 2006 is a video montage of the years’ biggest hit songs. Dreamland Drive-In features a 12-member cast and a fully-orchestrated musical score highlighting the eras’ most memorable hit songs including “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” “Yesterday,” “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” “California Dreamin’,” and many more.

The Great American Country Show, the 2007 Heartbeat Award winner, originally premiered May 16, 2007 and features a six-member cast and a six-piece band who perform 45 minutes of contemporary and classic country hits including “All-American Girl,” “If You’re Reading This,” “When I Get Where I’m Going,” “Picture To Burn” and “Small Town Southern Man.” A special segment honoring Dolly Parton includes a video performance of Parton singing her chart-topping hit “I Will Always Love You.”

A 30-foot-wide video screen above the stage allows hosts from GAC’s most popular shows to introduce each show segment and interact with the The Great American Country Show’s performers. Various GAC cable programs define the performance segments of The Great American Country Show, including GAC’s Top Twenty hosted by Nan Kelley; Edge of Country hosted by Kylie Harris; The Year hosted by Mark Wills; and Master Series host Bill Cody.

Each performance of The Great American Country Show is highlighted by a special 10-minute guest appearance by a country artist. This year’s lineup includes Jim Ed Brown (May 16-19), Jimmy Fortune (June 2-7), Jan Howard (June 10-14), Paulette Carlson (June 24-28), Baillie & the Boys (June 30-July 5), Marty Raybon (July 8-12), Tammy Cochran (July 22-26), Linda Davis (July 28–Aug. 2), Pirates of the Mississippi (Aug. 5-9), Mel McDaniel (Aug. 11-16), Jean Shepard (Aug. 18, 20 & 22-25), Mandy Barnett (Aug. 27-Sept. 3), John Berry (Sept. 5-10), Tammy Cochran (Sept. 19-24), and T. Graham Brown (Oct. 17-22 & 24-25).

Dollywood’s live entertainment roster also includes Country Crossroads, The Kingdom Heirs, The Gem Tones, The Kinfolks Show, Naomi & The Wood Brothers, and The Smoky Mountain String Band.

Dollywood is a 130-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Open nine months a year (March 21, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009), Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions, including Thunderhead, twice named the world’s No. 1 wooden coaster, and Mystery Mine coaster, Theme Park Insider’s 2007 Best New Attraction; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region.

Information courtesy of Dollywood

Pigeon Forge Offers Unique Vacation Options for Visitors

This summer, make some Smoky Mountain Memories of your own.

Whether it's checking out Dollywood's new $5 million River Battle or tumbling down the side of a hill (on purpose) at Zorb, Pigeon Forge boasts some of the most unique and varied options for vacationing couples, families and seniors.

"Pigeon Forge has fundamental appeal on multiple levels. It's wonderful for families because of the variety of activities. It's great for people who really love the outdoors because our next door neighbor is the most visited national park in the country. It's fun for couples looking for a getaway because there are places you can hide out," said Tom Adkinson, spokesman for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. "Those three attributes alone, laid on top of the fact that it's accessible and convenient -- only 287 miles from Huntington, W.V. and all interstate highways until you get about 15 minutes from our door."

Most people know about the live entertainment that Pigeon Forge is known for, including more than 70 shows by Lee Greenwood this year and other performers in genres ranging from country to gospel to pop. A varied list of restaurants -- including seafood, steakhouses and hibachis -- grows from year to year. Lodging choices in Pigeon Forge are extraordinary, Adkinson offered, ranging from independent and chain hotels and motels to cabins, chalets and condos that feel private, but still maintain their accessibility to the attractions of the area.

The newest additions to the entertainment scene include family-friendly comedy shows at the Comedy Barn and an elaborate magic and illusion show called "Magic Beyond Belief." A favorite of families is a Biblical production called "The Miracle."

"This is one of the most elaborate shows you'll see anywhere in the country. It's staged in a 1,700 seat theater with a very large cast and 100 animals," Adkinson said. "It's the classic battle of good versus evil and the story of Christ."

A new segment at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede features a charging herd of Texas longhorn steers.

And, speaking of Dolly, Adkinson offered, the biggest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee -- Dollywood -- has been growing and expanding nearly every year.

"This year, they have a new $5 million water adventure ride called 'River Battle,' in which the passengers have access to giant soaker guns they can battle with and pedestrians can get into the act as well," he said. "Last year, they added a $17.5 million roller coaster called 'Mystery Mine' that is one of the best in the country."

One of the most exciting additions to the Smoky Mountains is the New Zealand innovation called "Zorb." More details can be obtained at www.zorb.com/smoky.

"It's a silly Web site, but it's the only way to tell a silly story," Adkinson said. "Imagine a beach ball 11 feet in diameter and suspended inside is a beach ball six feet in diameter. If you climb into the inner ball through the tunnel, they'll push you over the side of the hill."

Never fear, though -- those brave enough to try it are either strapped into a harness called a "Zorbit" or enclosed with five gallons of warm water called a "Zydro." Even Adkinson has his "Zorbonaut" certification.

"It's funny to watch and funnier to do," he explained. "It's the only location in North America. You can't do this anywhere else without flying a long way."

If it's less physical challenges you're seeking and perhaps more mental, take the family to "WonderWorks," billed as "an amusement park for the mind." Featuring more than 150 interactive exhibits contained in 55,000 square feet of space, WonderWorks is easy to spot. It's upside-down.

"The building façade is upside-down and inside are all manner of activities. You can get in a simulator and try to land a space shuttle. You can experience an earthquake and a hurricane. You can ride a 360-degree bicycle that if you pedal fast enough will go completely over the bar," Adkinson explained.

Many Pigeon Forge Web sites recommend getting a free Value Card with discounts on lodging, entertainment, shopping, attractions and restaurants before visiting. Visit www.mypigeonforge.com to secure yours.

"One of the reasons we have 11 million visitors every year is because Pigeon Forge is a place of permanence -- you know you're going to enjoy these mountains, but it's also a place of change because we're evolving every year," Adkinson said.


Information courtesy of The Herald-Dispatch
Image courtesy of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

New in Pigeon Forge for 2008

A battle is brewing in Dollywood’s Timber Canyon on River Battle, the park’s new water adventure ride. River Battle is a family-fun themed water raft ride equipped with powerful soaker guns. Open in March 2008.

Don't miss SwiftWater Run, Dollywood's Splash Country's newest water Slide. Hold on tight as the rushing water takes you on an adventure like no other. It's a white-water journey round and round as you navigate the corkscrew turns on this thrilling new slide that ends with a major splash! Open in March 2008.

Burn a trail all over town on your rented Harley Davidson® motorcycle from the new Smoky Mountain Harley-Davidson and Buell, a new full-service Harley dealership. It’ll be a Smoky Mountain experience unlike any other! Now open.

Belle Island Village is an entertainment-based retail, food and lodging facility that has something for everybody, including museums, Otter Cove, rides, attractions, restaurants and more than 90 unique retail shops. Opening late 2008.

See, touch, hear and feel the history and future of NASCAR at Darrell Waltrip’s Racing Experience. Visits by the sport’s most popular personalities and special events await visitors throughout the year. Opening late 2008.

Hollywood legend Debbie Reynolds brings her collection of Hollywood memorabilia to the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum. This state-of-the-art, interactive museum combines the history of the movies with a high-tech experience that will entertain fans of all ages. Opening late 2008.

The seven modern high-rise condominium buildings of The Water Resort at Pigeon Forge surround a 35,000-square-foot indoor water park that will provide a fantastic getaway for the entire family. It's a great place to stay while you visit the Pigeon Forge area and check out the newest attractions.

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.

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

Dollywood presents Festival of Nations

This Spring, Dollywood begins another exciting year as Pigeon Forge's most fun attraction. Their unique Festival of Nations is back, and it is better than ever. The Festival of Nations lasts from March 21-May 5 2008.

An international rhythm comes to life as Dollywood presents the world’s most popular dances, from Latin America’s spicy salsa and fantastic flamenco to Russia’s captivating Cossack. And see Ireland’s sensational stepdancing in the highly anticipated return of Rhythm of the Dance, the show-stopping centerpiece of Celebrate Ireland featuring Irish dining, crafters, entertainment and more. Daring dance steps are just the beginning of Dollywood’s seven-week celebration of music, artistry, foods and crafts from around the globe during Festival of Nations.And don't miss a world of entertainment from the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, the Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts, Zambia Vocal Group and Ecuador's Atahualpa.

Special Features

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
This group’s energetic dance moves and colorful costumes, complete with ceremonial make-up, bird feathers, and seashell anklets, are set against a backdrop of passionate music. Calpulli Mexican Dance Company incorporates music and theatre to showcase the rich diversity of Mexico’s regional dances. From polkas of Northern Mexico to the fiestas of the Yucatan Peninsula, dances are performed to the sounds of coastal Mexican rhythms, Aztec drums, and the world-renowned music of the Mariachi.

Chiemgau Schuhplattler
Chiemgau Schuhplattler is a traditional folk dance group from Bavaria. Audiences will recognize their traditional costumes. Men and young boys sport Bavarian-style lederhosen, including leather shorts, usually with suspenders, while the ladies wear beautiful dresses. Chiemgau Schuhplattler’s high energy dance is steeped in tradition, where quick movements of an ax and whip keep rhythm with fast-paced hand and body movements, punctuated by dynamic foot stomping. The dances originated centuries ago with the Balztanz, an early courtship display where young men, in a bid to win the young ladies’ hearts, would impress them with their dancing prowess.

Kayumanggi Philippine Performing Arts
Promoting greater understanding of Philippine culture through song, music, dance, Kayumanggi performs captivating traditional dances like tinikling, the country’s national dance, where daring dancers weave in and out of bamboo poles with an ever-increasing tempo; pandanggo sa ilaw, featuring dancers balancing lighted candles on their heads; as well as the romantic and graceful Jotas and Balses.

Villa de Alhama

The folklore group “Villa de Alhama” incorporates singing, dancing and storytelling along with their country’s native dress to tell the stories and share the rich culture and history of Spain.

Rhythm of the Dance
Watch as Ireland’s renowned musical heritage unfolds during this high-energy Celtic dance and musical spectacular brought to life by 20 dancers and a six-piece band. Fancy footwork, colorful costumes and traditional music including accordion, fiddles, bodhrán and African drums, saxophone and whistles pay a stunning tribute to the Emerald Isle.

Ecuador's Atahualpa
Veterans of various festivals around the world, Atahualpa's traditional rhythms celebrate the rich history and culture of South America’s Andes Mountains where salsa and meringue music creates a colorful and entertaining carnival festival for all to enjoy.

O'Malley's Place

Miss Lillian, one of Dollywood's most colorful characters, invites you to join her in Craftsman's Valley at O'Malley's All-You-Care-To-Eat buffet. Choose from Southern fried chicken, corned beef & cabbage and shepherd's pie with side servings of garlic Irish cheddar mashed potatoes, white pepper gravy, green beans, and a spring vegetable blend. A variety of salads and delicious desserts will complete your meal. Be on the lookout for Miss Lillian's fresh-from-the-oven baked biscuits, because she's liable to toss one in your direction! Miss Lillian also serves up a rousing song or two, making this one of the most entertaining meals at Dollywood.

Russian National Theatre
This 31-member troupe consists of highly skilled artists performing breathtaking classic and folk dances and beautiful songs with stirring lyrics, both accompanied by a variety of musical instruments. The dramatic presentation incorporates elements of traditional Russian circus and lively fisticuffs set against colorful scenery and vibrant costumes.

Valley Theater Traditional Music
Irish roots run deep in the Smoky Mountains, and it's reflected and heard in our musical heritage. Enjoy the lively sounds of visiting Irish bands who take audiences on a musical journey through centuries of Celtic music.

Zambia Vocal Group
Zambian Vocal Group combines young men from Africa’s south-central region in a small community where poverty, disease and tribal divisions are commonplace. The group’s vocalists hail from different African tribes to form a collective sound, underscoring the message that music unites us all. Zambian Vocal Group's a capella repertoire ranges from traditional hymns to original songs, all featuring a unique combination of traditional African rhythms, vocal percussion and complex vocal harmonies. Discovered by a visiting missionary in 1989, the group has traveled half way around the world, bringing its worship music to more than 350 churches.

Information & Image courtesy of Dollywood

New Activities Spring into Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge is springing into a new season of fun. Consider these new activities the next time you visit:

After a soft opening over the winter, this is the first full season for Zorb Smoky Mountains, that peculiar humans-inside-a-giant-beachball-zooming-down-a-mountainside attraction. It’s the latest extreme sport imported from New Zealand and is the only Zorb site in North America.

Spin City, a high-tech roller skating center with a rink measuring 11,000 square feet, flashy lights and a booming sound system, is ready for its first tourism season. It updates the old question of “how low can you limbo on skates?” to “how low can you limbo on skates while the video camera captures your technique?”

Dollywood plans to board the first passengers on a $5 million water adventure ride called River Battle on March 21. As the willing-to-get-wet adventurers navigate a circular river, they aim powerful soaker guns at other rafts and at more than 100 targets along the way—and spectators have soaker guns, too. For the crowd that wants to stay dry, Dollywood’s special touch for spring is the annual Festival of Nations. This year, the theme is the “World of Dance,” and troupes of colorful folkdancers from Russia, Mexico, Ecuador, the Philippines, Spain and elsewhere will be in the spotlight.

Expected to draw major attention is “Rhythm of the Dance” featuring the stunning stepdancing of Ireland. Festival of Nations runs from March 21-May 5 and includes food, music, crafts and other arts as well as the colorful dancers.

Other entertainment news includes the return of Lee Greenwood, winner of multiple Country Music Association Awards, to the Smokies. He has booked 72 shows (36 dates) at the 600-seat Smith Family Theater. Dates are spread from April through December.

More new entertainers in town include a herd of powerful Texas longhorns, the centerpieces of a show’s new opening segment at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede.

A totally new show, “Swing Time,” plans to open in May. It’s a trip back in time to the Big Band era of the early 1940s in the Grand Majestic Theater (formerly the American Jukebox Theater).
“Pigeon Forge’s ever-changing choice of activities is one of its great appeals. Spring 2008 in Pigeon Forge is a fine change of pace for people who have been cooped up for the winter,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.

For more information on Pigeon Forge businesses—hotels, theaters, campgrounds, attractions and restaurants—visit ReservePigeonForge.com.

Information courtesy of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Lee Greenwood Announces Concerts in Pigeon Forge

Lee Greenwood, winner of three Country Music Association Awards and writer of America’s unofficial patriotic anthem, “God Bless the USA,” will perform 36 dates at the Smith Family Theater in Pigeon Forge this year.

Greenwood, who had his own theater in the Smokies for five years, starts his Pigeon Forge concert series on April 18. The final shows will be Dec. 29. Greenwood will have two shows on each appearance date for a total of 72 shows.

“We are extremely honored to host Lee Greenwood’s return to the Great Smoky Mountains. Lee has great fans, and his concerts at the Smith Family Theater are scheduled so guests can combine one of his shows with Pigeon Forge’s many other entertainment opportunities,” said Charlie Bob Smith, partner and performer at the Smith Family Theater.

The 600-seat Smith Family Theater opened in 2004 and was custom built for the act that features Charlie, Jim and Charlie Bob Smith (Charlie and Jim are brothers, and Charlie Bob is Charlie’s son). The family act has been popular in the region since the 1980s, including a long run at the Dollywood theme park.

A combo ticket for a Lee Greenwood concert and the Smith Family Show is $44.90 plus tax. Children age 12 and younger are free.

“After living and working in the Smoky Mountains for almost eight years, I discovered, just like the millions of visitors who visit the area each year, that the beauty and romance of the Smoky Mountains are unmatched,” Greenwood said.

The Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism said Greenwood’s concerts will expand the city’s entertainment mix.

“Many people visit Pigeon Forge especially for the theaters. We think Lee Greenwood will encourage new visitors to try us and entice others to stay an extra day,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the department of tourism.

In addition to “God Bless the USA,” Greenwood’s hit list includes “Ring on Her Finger, Time on Her Hands,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” “Somebody’s Gonna Love You,” “Dixie Road” and “I Don’t Mind the Thorns (If You’re the Rose).”

Greenwood concerts dates:

April 18 and 25

May 9, 18 and 23

June 20

July 10, 11, 18 and 24

August 1,8, 15, 22, 30 and 31

September 5, 11, 12, 21 and 27

October 3, 9, 10, 19, 24, 30 and 31

November 5, 14, 16, 21 and 28

December 3, 12 and 29.

Pigeon Forge's Dollywood has Best Year Yet

Congratulations to Dollywood for a record year in attendance. The Pigeon Forge attraction drew more than 2.5 million visitors in 2007, and you have to think there were several factors that contributed to that, including high gas prices that kept down long-distance traveling, the new rides at the park, and unusually dry weather that meant more rain-free days.

The record attendance was good news for other area attractions and businesses. When people come to Dollywood they do more than just visit the park. They sample other attractions in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. They dine in local restaurants, visit our stores and buy our gasoline.

When Dollywood does well, so do the businesses that make up this tourism-based economy. Dollywood's big year can be traced to several things, but overall the park continues to serve its customers well. People feel comfortable and safe visiting Dollywood, and they like the wholesome atmosphere and family-oriented attractions within the park. They like its emphasis on family and its musical entertainment that stresses gospel, country and rock 'n' roll from the past. They like the layout, the rides, the children's area and the food. Dollywood continues to draw repeat visitors because it is a great way to spend a day or two throughout the year.

Of course Dollywood is not all we have to offer tourists. Ripley's Aquarium, Ober Gatlinburg and our theaters are entertainment venues that are consistently well-received and busy. Great Smoky Mountains National Park lures 9 million visitors a year to its 500,000 acres of wilderness, waterfalls, trails and wildlife. We have thousands of places for people to stay, from hotels to motels to cabins, and we have a variety of eating choices that fit anybody's checkbook.

Information courtesy of The Mountain Press

Pigeon Forge is Wintry Blast of Activities

Where in a single weekend can you enjoy millions of holiday lights, take in great shows, play mad scientist, and careen downhill inside a Zorb?

Tennessee's Pigeon Forge, on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains, offers all the above and more. (But what's a Zorb you say? Stay tuned.)

With Winterfest's holiday productions in high gear, now's a great time to go. More than 5 million lights blaze throughout town with another 3.5 million at nearby Dollywood. This family-oriented place promises a variety of activities for all.

"Getting there is half the fun - with the beautiful drive, especially if you go through Maryville," said Barbara Eubanks from Boaz. "We usually go with friends and always find something in Pigeon Forge that appeals to everyone."

Soon after arrival, make reservations for the evening's Trolley Tour of Lights ($5) to see themed displays at Patriot Park then the "Twelve Days of Christmas," spaced along the Parkway's median at verse-singing intervals. The driver and guide will lead you in a spirited rendition of this old favorite as the trolley advances from one lighted exhibit to the next. Other displays depict nursery rhymes and a blacksmith forging snowflakes. Also, the one-hour ride offers a chance to scope out the main attraction venues and learn about local history.

For a mind-boggling upside-down adventure, visit WonderWorks. At this white-columned mansion, handsome in an eerie way, you can let your imagination run wild. To prepare yourself, try to get in the mind-sets of mad scientists from a mythical research lab in the Bermuda Triangle. Then proceed through the challenges of a gravity-defying chamber, an earthquake, and over-the-top bike ride. For relaxation, how about stretching out on a bed of 3,500 nails?
"This place brings out the kid in you," said Rich Benjamin, whose job it is to play here each day.
Evening visitors can take in the site's Hoot 'n' Holler dinner show, which combines a tasty Italian menu with a vaudeville-style show of music, choreography, magic tricks and homespun humor.

With so many shows in town, whittling down the choices requires strategy. First, decide on a category such as a musical, variety or dinner show. Then break that down further and follow your bliss. Now in its 11th year, "Country Tonite" presents both country hits and favorite Christmas songs. Other options include "Black Bear Jamboree," "Comedy Barn," "Smith Family Theater," "Memories" (which salutes Elvis and other musical legends), and the list goes on.

Dolly Parton's "Dixie Stampede" promises a finger-licking good time with its popular dinner and action-packed show. The award-winning "Smoky Mountain Christmas" puts the spotlight on heart and soul, and Dollywood's "Babes in Toyland" features a surprising finale. The talented cast's team of acrobats lend a "Cirque du Soleil" flavor to the production. Wandering through Dollywood's pedestrian village on a recent goose-down-jacket kind of evening, we experienced the season's first teasing snowflakes. But frosty air just made hot chocolate at Santa's Workshop more tempting.

"This place is not so much about Dolly Parton - it's about her mountain heritage, her values," said Trish McGee, introducing us to a sampler of the 130-acre park's myriad offerings.
Watching blacksmiths, glass blowers, wagon makers and wood carvers at work instills an appreciation for craftsmanship rare in today's high-tech climate. The park's magical light exhibits enhance a stroll past museums, eateries, and attractions.

Dollywood also offers exciting entertainment options. Not for the faint-hearted, the Mystery Mine Coaster, named best new attraction of 2007, features a ride through inky blackness with steep plunges, and The Thunderhead - voted the world's No. 1 wooden roller coaster in 2005 and 2006 - continues to offer its own brand of thrills.

"We enjoy the malls and Christmas shops, the off-the-beaten-path crafts stores, and the shows," Eubanks said, "but my absolutely must-go-to place is Pigeon River Pottery near the Old Mill. There, you can buy one-of-a-kind pieces and even watch pottery being made." Sooner or later, you'll gravitate to the picturesque Old Mill with its large water wheel, a site that demands a photo. Tour the mill, which dates to 1830, and buy a bag of corn meal, flour, grits or pancake mix to take home. Browse around Old Mill Square, and stop by Pottery House Cafe. Here, you can dip into hearty homemade soups and yummy sandwiches with breads made from the mill's stone-ground products. Your meal arrives on serving dishes crafted at the pottery next door.
For a family-style breakfast, lunch or dinner, head to the nearby Old Mill Restaurant. Specialties include sugar-cured ham, chicken and dumplings, fresh vegetables, biscuits, fritters and pecan pies.

If shopping's your favorite sport, Pigeon Forge offers several malls with some 300 outlet stores. At Walden's Landing, patrons can check out the nearby shops or work on their short game at Firehouse Golf.

Need a new Santa, caroler, or other item for the family holiday collection? Maybe an ornament designed for a special occasion? Then head for The Incredible Christmas Place at 2740 Parkway. "We work on building lifetime business relationships," said Carolyn Fairbank-Biggs, chief operating officer of the nation's second-largest Christmas retailer. "People come here to shop, hear the Singing Santa, and then return - year after year."

Also an incredible business success, the Yuletide shop has evolved from a small store, opened in 1986 by Marian and Hurshel Biggs, to occupy its own mall at Bell Tower Square. Just across the Parkway from the store, the owners opened The Inn at Christmas Place in June, a handsome base for guests. And it's not just beginning to look a lot like Christmas here, it always looks that way. Rooms and suites boast amenities galore plus holiday touches. The lobby's 25-foot cuckoo clock entertains visitors hourly with different holiday songs, and a lifesize Nativity scene overlooks the lobby. The hotel showcases original paintings by prominent area artists.
"We're striving to become a four-star property," said Keith Biggs, president of Christmas Place Properties.

If you're a repeat visitor (like 70 percent of folks in town), you'll want to know what else is new.
Enter the Zorb! The Zorb sounds like something from outer space and actually looks like that, too - a giant pearlescent orb. The concept originated in New Zealand, and Pigeon Forge boasts the only Zorb experience in North America.

Just what does a Zorb do? Nothing - except roll down a steep hill with you inside. Gravity provides the suspense, and you supply the screams. If you're a candidate for this unique adventure, visit the Zorb Smoky Mountains site, declare your intention, and choose between a dry run (Zorbit), where you're harnessed in place like an astronaut, or a free-floating wet ride (Zydro) comparable to something you might experience via roller coaster merged with water slide. Should you choose the wet run, you change into a sporty blue Zorb suit of shirt and shorts (which you keep), ascend the hill, and dive (or slither) through a small opening into a ball 11 feet tall. Then relinquish all control.

"Oh, man, this is cool," said Doug Jones from Birmingham, emerging from the Zorb after his wet and wild downhill ride. "My son would love this."

Information courtesy of The Huntsville Times

'Babes in Toyland' returns to Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas

Dollywood’s 18th annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival, which began November 10 and continues through December 30, marks the return of “Babes in Toyland” shows, along with a new Santa’s Workshop, all amid a display of 3.5 million holiday lights.

Dollywood’s “Babes in Toyland,” the park’s most elaborate stage production ever, features the march of 21 toy soldiers, with a surprise finale.

Performed at the park’s Celebrity Theatre, the show’s scenes include the appearance of the fully animated 15-foot-tall “General.” Additional performances have been added with as many as seven shows on some days.

Dollywood’s holiday entertainment also features “Christmas in the Smokies,” “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs,” “Carol of the Trees,” “An Appalachian Christmas,” “The Victorian Melodies,” and “O’ Holy Night,” which introduces a new set to complement this outdoor telling of the Nativity.

Santa will be in a new workshop. Weeks of designing and construction went into the makeover on Santa’s 500-square-foot home away from home. An 18-foot Christmas tree is surrounded by an assortment of large toys including “Jumbo the Elephant,” which measures nine feet tall; a seven foot tall sailboat; a five foot tall tricycle; an eight foot tall doll house; and a six foot “View Master” that displays a variety of holiday images.

In addition, families can help assemble the eight-foot interactive puzzle which reveals a popular Dollywood scene. Large-scale ornaments and decorations are presented from ceiling to floor.

The workshops’ main attraction, Santa Claus, poses for photos and reviews wish lists until December 24.

Park guests can have breakfast with Santa at Aunt Granny’s Restaurant on December 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 9:30am to Noon. Seating is first come, first served. Breakfast requires an additional fee.

Smoky Mountain Christmas also includes two nightly Parade of Lights; Tinker the Talking Christmas Tree; the country’s tallest German Christmas pyramid; craft demonstrations; and more than 20 rides and attractions including Mystery Mine and Thunderhead coasters.

For the first time during the holiday season, guests who purchase one-day admission after 6pm can visit the park free the next operating day.

Information courtesy of The Mountain Press

Photo courtesy of Dollywood

Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival at Dollywood

Come along with Alan and Jane for an incredible journey through Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland. Marvel as 21 toy soldiers march acorss the stage, led by the 14-foot-tall General! Back by popular demand, it's a Christmastime must-see, and it's only at Dollywood. Something's new amid the hustle and bustle of Santa's Workshop! Step inside the giant toy workshop, where Santa and larger-than-life-sized toys greet you. Sensational stage shows, festival foods, thrilling rides and over 3 million lights complete Dollywood's winter wonderland!

Special Features (Select an item for more information)

Breakfast with Santa
Make a holiday memory for your little ones as they enjoy Breakfast with Santa. See the sparkle in their eyes as boys and girls share their Christmas wishes while the family dines on a delicious holiday breakfast at Aunt Granny's. Nov. 10, 17, 23 & 24; Dec. 1, 8, 15 & 22; 9:30 a.m.-noon. First-come, first-served seating; Additional Fee; Dollywood admission required.

Christmas in the Smokies
Dollywood’s musical Christmas tradition features a 12-member cast and seven-piece band performing hometown holiday favorites that celebrate the joy of the season. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Dollywood's Babes in Toyland
It’s Dollywood’s most elaborate stage show ever—Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland! Featuring a cast of 20 performers and a fully-orchestrated musical score, this family classic follows “Alan” and “Jane” on their incredible adventure through Toyland. Along the way, the pair encounters a variety of characters who come to life through imaginative puppetry, amazing acrobatics, and spectacular scenery—all highlighted by the magnificent, show-stopping march of the giant toy soldiers! Celebrate an old-fashioned family Christmas sure to mesmerize audiences of all ages at Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Santa's Workshop
Something’s new amid the hustle and bustle of Santa’s Workshop! Step inside the giant toy store, where larger-than-life-sized toys greet you this holiday season. Explore the fun, interactive activities—help assemble the gigantic puzzle pieces or gaze through the oversized ViewMaster™. And of course, visit with Santa! 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 23, 2007.

Appalachian Christmas
Celebrate an acoustic Christmas at the Back Porch Theatre with Appalachian Christmas. Let the beautiful sound of the music take you back to a simpler time. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Carol of the Trees
Each night thousands of lights and pyrotechnics synchronize with holiday music to transform our Rivertown Lake into a "seasonal symphony for the senses." 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs
Celebrate a Southern Gospel Christmas as the Kingdom Heirs keep your spirits high with your favorite Christmas hymns and songs. 2007 Christmas Season Dates: November 14 - December 30, 2007.

Dolly's Christmas Chapel
The Robert F. Thomas Chapel hosts worship services at 5:30 p.m. each Sunday throughout Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

O' Holy Night
A little girl looks for an angel; three shepherds follow a star. They all find their way to the heart of “The Christmas Story.” 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Parade of Lights
Everyone loves a parade, especially Dollywood’s daily Parade of Lights featuring Christmas floats adorned with brightly colored lights. Holiday characters add to the excitement as the parade makes its way, bringing holiday fun to everyone. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Scrooge (Roving Character)
Ebenezer Scrooge—During Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, you’re sure to encounter one of Charles Dickens’ most enduring characters, Ebenezer Scrooge, as he spreads his own brand of Christmas cheer throughout the park. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Tinker The Talking Christmas Tree
Tinker The Talking Christmas Tree and his friends Rupert and Candy, two of Santa’s Elves, rediscover the real reason we give Christmas gifts. Join them in this fun-filled musical treat full of original songs and timeless Christmas classics. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
A family finds its own Christmas miracle with the help of a mysterious, white-bearded stranger in this delightful musical featuring a 12-member cast and a five-piece band. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Victorian Melodies
Outfitted in period costumes, this melodious group strolls throughout Dollywood performing holiday music true to the Victorian era. 2007 Season Dates: November 10 - December 30, 2007.

Information courtesy of Dollywood

SwiftWater Run new ride at Dollywood's Splash Country

Dollywood's Splash Country announces SwiftWater Run, the newest ride addition, will open in May at the 35-acre water adventure park located in Pigeon Forge, TN.

"I was looking for something that would set folks to spinning, and that's just what my SwiftWater Run will do," Dolly Parton said. "This ride's got a few twists and turns and spins, but that's all I'm gonna tell until next May."

A tubing bowl ride, SwiftWater Run offers double or single passenger tubes that take passengers through a 54-inch diameter tunnel that propels them into a large bowl feature. After multiple revolutions, passengers the encounter a corkscrew before navigating a downward chute that plunges into the landing pool.

A $1 million investment, SwiftWater Run will be located amid the water slide complex that includes Mountain Scream and Mountain Twist.

Dollywood's Splash Country is located adjacent to Dollywood. The park operates from mid-May through mid-September.

Travel to Pigeon Forge for a Smoky Mountain Christmas

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg celebrate the holiday season with the starts of Smoky Mountain Winterfest. Over five million lights are aglow on the Parkway, from Sevierville to Gatlinburg. Plenty of magical Christmas scenes and seasonal spirit fill the atmosphere, creating a unique and truly memorable Smoky Mountain Christmas.

This is a great time of year to enjoy southern hospitality with spectacular holiday shows & entertainment steeped with tradition. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas turns into a winter wonderland, complete with Christmas shows, holidays foods and thrilling rides. Back by popular demand is the Babes in Toyland production, a fascinating and beautiful show featuring acrobatics and seasonal music. They offer several musical and theatrical productions as well as their famous "Carol of the Trees." This show is a pyrotechnic and light show synchronized to holiday music. The Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival at Dollywood is a celebration treasures tradition and invites your family to create a treasure of your own.

Spectacular holiday shows and entertainment can also be found in Pigeon Forge Theaters. The Smith’s Christmas Show, Country Tonite Christmas Show, and Rock and Roll Christmas Show provide an atmosphere of song and dance that is sure to get every member of the family in the Christmas spirit. Whether country tunes, gospel hymns or old time rockin’ songs are your favorite, these show will have something to please you!

The attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a great way to relax, explore and have fun. They’re also a great way to see the dazzling lights displays. A Holiday Tour of the Lights can be had at Scenic Helicopter Tours in Pigeon Forge, while guests in Gatlinburg can get an aerial view of the lights on an Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. Gatlinburg attractions include a variety of Ripley’s Believe It or Not attractions, including a museum, haunted house, mini-golf and movie rider. They make a great escape for families in need of some quick fun!

There is a Trolley of Lights that can also be takes advantage of. The trolley will take you on a magic tour of the twinkling lights and festive displays. Also be sure to check out the incredible deals at the Pigeon Forge Shopping Malls. The outlet stores are a great place to stock up on gifts and the quaint, boutique shops will allow you to purchase that something special for that special someone.

Lodging in the Smoky Mountains is also a favorite part of the Smoky Mountain experience. A cabin in the forest can create the perfect environment for memories that will last forever. Between the scenic views and luxurious amenities, you and your family will feel right at home. There are plenty of Pigeon Forge hotels and Gatlinburg lodging properties to choose from too, so everyone can find something to fit their budget.

A holiday getaway to the Smoky Mountains is a treasured trip that will create memories that last a lifetime. Begin your holiday planning today!

Winterfest in Pigeon Forge celebrates Christmas, Smoky Mountain Heritage

Winter, formerly the quietest time of year in the Smoky Mountains resort town of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., now is one of the most vibrant because of Pigeon Forge Winterfest. The 18th edition of the four-month celebration runs from Nov. 8-Feb. 29, 2008.

More than five million Winterfest lights that are spread throughout the city are most conspicuous element of Pigeon Forge Winterfest. Elaborate displays depicting everything from Mother Goose rhymes to patriotic themes attract visitors who view them from their own vehicles or get guided tours on the city's Fun Time Trolleys.

One of the more elaborate displays depicts the city's most significant historic site, the Old Mill. The actual mill was built in 1830 and still is in operation. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.During the first two months of Pigeon Forge Winterfest, another 3.5 million lights add a special glow to the Dollywood theme park and its special holiday season.Also during November and December, Pigeon Forge's theaters—there are more than a dozen—add special holiday segments to their productions. All theaters operate through the end of the year, and many offer shows year-round.

After the excitement of Christmas and New Year's, the city continues Pigeon Forge Winterfest with three festivals in January and February:

- Wilderness Wildlife Week, Jan. 12-19, is the first. It began the same year as Winterfest as a Saturday afternoon activity and now offers eight days of programs and activities to spotlight Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More than 100 experts on nature and outdoor life present programs on many topics, and there are daily hikes and excursions into the national park. AppalachiaFest, a musical component of Wilderness Wildlife Week on Jan. 15, is hosted by Grammy-Award winner David Holt and features bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley.

- The 17th Annual Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival is on tap Feb. 7-9 with some of America's top storytellers, who offer both performances and workshops. The 2008 schedule includes cowboy poet and storyteller Waddie Mitchell and Bil Lepp, five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest.

- Saddle Up!, a celebration of the American West, returns for the eighth year, Feb. 21-24. It brings some of the best western musicians and cowboy poets to the Smokies for a rare visit east of the Mississippi River. Featured this year are Wylie & the Wild West, Sons of the San Joaquin, Jean and Gary Prescott, Yvonne Hollenbeck, Sourdough Slim, Chris Isaacs, Kent Rollins and Jeff Gore & Silver Valley.

Info courtesy of TravelVideo.TV

12 Free Things to do in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (A Still have a Blast!)

In the breathtaking state of Tennessee you’ll find the picturesque Smoky Mountains. Both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are great places to visit for fantastic indoor and outdoor fun! A vacation to the Smoky Mountains is perfect too, because there are so many things to do in the Smoky Mountains. Even better, there are plenty of FREE things to do in the Smoky Mountains!
The natural outdoor allure of the Smoky Mountain destinations of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg is easy to understand. With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as their backyard, these two vacation destinations allow guests to discover what they’ve been missing…refreshing, all natural fun!

1) Cades Cove: This is a great area for a scenic drive! There is an 11 mile one way loop that winds around the valley, complete with wildlife, campgrounds, bike rentals, spectacular foliage in autumn, and facilities for horseback riding.

2) Sugarlands Visitor Center: A free 20-minute orientation motion picture provides an in-depth look at the Smokies and the enormous diversity of plant and animal life in the Park. Natural history exhibits include mounted specimens of park animals in recreations of their habitats and reproductions of journals kept by the first park naturalists are also on display. Ranger talks and slide shows are presented daily from spring through fall. You’ll also want to visit Laurel Falls, a beautiful waterfall located off Little Rover Road near the Sugarlands Center.

3) Mills Park: Located in Gatlinburg, this park’s facilities include a softball field, horseshoe pits, playground, tennis courts, football field and basketball court. It’s a great place for families to enjoy the outdoors!

4) Mynatt Park: A beautiful park complete with picnic area by the river, bbq grills, and recreation opportunities such as baseball and basketball.

5) Tennessee Heritage Trails: Our Heritage Trails link attractions in three categories - History, Arts & Crafts and Music - to showcase the distinctive character and talents of Tennessee trails and to connect both well-known and obscure attractions under a common theme.

6) Great Smoky Mountains Arts and Craft Community: The largest group of independent artisans in North America. This historic 8-mile loop has been designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. Established in 1937, these artisans create unique and treasured pieces.

7) Newfound Gap Road: The 33-mile drive from Gatlinburg to Cherokee North Carolina along Newfound Gap Road is the only route that completely traverses the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive offers a unique opportunity to enjoy an abbreviated experience of everything the Park has to offer, without necessarily trekking far from your automobile.

8) Hiking: Enjoy a hike on any of the more than 800 miles of trails through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With over fifty trails available to hike, you’ll discover a new treasure each time you explore.

9) Douglas Lake: Beautiful Douglas Lake extends its 33,000 lake acres and 513 miles of shoreline to the rolling hills of the Great Smoky Mountains, attracting nearly 2 million visitors each year. Favorite activities at Douglas Lake include fishing, boating, rafting, swimming, camping, and bird watching.

10) Shopping in the Smokies: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a shopper’s dream and it doesn’t cost a thing to look! There are several Outlet malls, such as Belz Factory Outlet Mall, as well as hundreds of unique shops to explore.

11) Festivals: Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are a haven for festivals. Many of these, such as the Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival, have free admission and concerts!

12) Plus, at Dollywood, you can get your next day FREE if you arrive at the park after 3 pm!
With so many things to see and do in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, you and your family are sure to experience the vacation of a lifetime!

Spring into the Smoky Mountains

Spring is a reason for celebration in the Smoky Mountains. The area is wrapped in nature’s glow, with an abundance of greenery and flowers all around. It’s the perfect time to visit because the weather is nice and the Smoky Mountain shows start their new season of entertaining productions. Springtime in the Smokies is a vacation worth discovering!

The beauty of nature in full bloom inspired the popular Springfest, which is a Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg event showcasing three months of family fun. Some of the events included are: A Mountain Quiltfest, the annual StringTime in the Smokies, The Dolly Parade, The Spring Grand Rod Run, and Dollywood's Festival of Nations. There are plenty of things to do in the Smoky Mountains…all we need is you!

Several new attractions are opening this year. New attractions in Pigeon Forge include the Zorb, a peculiar invention that allows riders to experience thrilling speeds and waterworks in a translucent plastic sphere. This Smoky Mountain attraction will be the first of its kind in the United States. Dollywood is adding the Mystery Mine, a roller coaster whose theme is an abandoned coal mine. The 1,811 foot-track zooms along, plunging passengers through hair-rising drops that lead into the dark recesses of the mine. Dollywood is also opening The Cascades in 2007 at their Splash Country Water Park. The Cascades, an 8,000-sq.-ft. lagoon-style pool, features more than 25 interactive elements, including four slides. New Pigeon Forge shows include magician Terry Evanswood at the Magic Beyond Belief Theater, the Mulan show, Patty Waszak Show, and the Smoky Mountain Opry. Three major additions to the Pigeon Forge entertainment scene will celebrate their first full year of operation in 2007. Wonderworks, an entertainment complex for the mind; Helicopter Whirl’d Adventures, an attraction devoted to aviation; and The Miracle, a production that follows the life of Jesus Christ.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is an outdoor paradise that is perfect for a spring vacation. There are numerous outdoor activities in Gatlinburg that make for an excellent getaway. White water rafting is a popular sport in the Smokies because the Pigeon River has some of the best white water rapids around. Camping in Gatlinburg is also a favorite activity for visitors. Since Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Smokies, it’s a great location for easy access to the abundant outdoor recreation found in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Gatlinburg festivals also heat up during the spring season. Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings is a festive downtown event featuring over 30 vendors, delicious food, entertainment and fireworks. The 57th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, Monday, April 23 through Sunday, April 29, is another great event, especially for hikers and nature lovers who love to see delicate wildflowers in bloom. This seven day program features over 150 hiking tours, lectures and motor excursions. Other events include Gatlinburg’s Scottish Festival & Games and Gatlinburg’s Fine Arts Festival. Golfing in Gatlinburg is another favorite pastime for visitors because the courses combine the natural beauty of the area with challenging holes fun for all golfers.

Vacationing in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg during the spring season allows visitors to experience great entertainment and the great outdoors in one great location. Make your Smoky Mountain reservations today and discover what you’ve been missing in beautiful Tennessee.