Lee Greenwood is Back in The Smokies

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

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

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

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

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

Here are his tour dates for The Smith Family Theater:

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

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

Information courtesy of WBIR-TV

Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass Event Serves Up Family Fun

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

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

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

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

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

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

Admission and concerts are free.

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

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!