Santa & Performing Groups Join Duggar Family For 20th Anniversary of Pigeon Forge Winterfest

Santa, Reindeer, Performing Groups to Join Duggar Family for Kickoff of 20th Anniversary of Pigeon Forge Winterfest

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (October 27, 2009) – The kickoff event for the 20th anniversary of Pigeon Forge Winterfest on Nov. 5 (Thursday) will feature multiple special guests.

In addition to the expansive Duggar family from TLC’s “18 Kids and Counting” TV show, the kickoff event in Patriot Park will feature Santa Claus—complete with reindeer and a photographer—plus choral, band and dance groups, the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus and bluegrass music from Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier.

“This is the start of a great time of year for Pigeon Forge that is acknowledged far and wide. In fact, the 2009-2010 Pigeon Forge Winterfest is a Top 100 Event in North America, according to travel professionals assembled by the American Bus Association,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.

Activity begins at 4 p.m. with entertainment from several community groups. Comments from civic leaders and introduction of the Duggar family will precede the ceremonial flipping of the switch to turn on the city’s five million Winterfest lights at about 6 p.m.

The Duggars—Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 18 children, plus one on the way—will be in Pigeon Forge for the second time this year. They visited in May for production of two episodes of “18 Kids and Counting.”

Bob Fowler, the Pigeon Forge Special Events Volunteer of the Year, also will participate.

The evening’s featured entertainment, the Pigeon Forge Community Community Chorus followed by and Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier, will cap off the stage presentation.

Santa Claus and his reindeer will add to the festivities. A professional photographer will take pictures of guests with Santa and deliver complimentary photos on site.

Also complimentary that evening are rides on the Fun Time Trolley system’s Trolley Tour of Lights, which showcase Winterfest light displays throughout the community.

The afternoon groups performing are the Elizabeth Williams Dance Troupe, the Pigeon Forge Middle and High School Dance Teams, the Pigeon Forge High School Choir, the Pigeon Forge Middle School Honor Band and the Pigeon Forge High School Marching Band.

Five food vendors will be on hand with a variety of offerings. They will raise money for the American Legion, Pigeon Forge High School, Relay for Life and the Salvation Army.

Information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge Winterfest, including Wilderness Wildlife Week in January and Saddle Up! in February—is online at MyPigeonForge.com.

The Duggars To Flip Switch - Pigeon Forge's Winterfest Lights Nov 5, 2009

The Duggars To Flip Switch - Pigeon Forge's Winterfest Lights Nov 5, 2009

The Duggar Family from "TLC's 18 Kids and Counting" will once again come to Pigeon Forge.. They visited back in May to take part in the Dollywood Parade, this time will be all about LIGHTS!! Lots and lots of lights, millions of twinkling lights.... They will be flipping the switch in Patriot Park - Pigeon Forge TN to kick off Winterfest festivities on November 5th, 2009..

The holidays are one of the most exciting and beautiful times of the year in the Smoky Mountains... much of that is due to all of the colorful lights throughout the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area.. This year will be the first year that Pigeon Forge will have ground-level fireworks during this celebration.

Plan your trip to the Smoky Mountains, Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.. Check out lots of great cabins here http://www.BestCabinsByOwner.com

Guide to the Best"By-Owner"Vacation Rentals-Smoky Mtns of Tenn & NC

Dollywood & Pigeon Forge TN - Crafts Galore Oct 1-30, 2009

October Draws Craft Lovers to Pigeon Forge, Great Smoky Mountains

Two major crafts events highlight start of autumn leaf season PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (October 2009)

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.

The Pigeon Forge Travel Planner and information about all aspects of the city are available online at MyPigeonForge.com or by calling toll-free to 1-800-251-9100. The travel planner includes the Pigeon Forge Value Card, which offers more than $300 worth of discounts.

Tom Adkinson, APR615-341-3640

Help Sevier County Humane Society Win $1 Million Dollars - Vote For Miss Ellie !!

How easy could it be to help the Humane Society in Sevier County TN? Just Vote for Miss Ellie and the Sevier County Humane Society Could Win $1 Million Dollars. They need your help and it doesn't cost you a thing! If Miss Ellie, star of The Comedy Barn Theater in Pigeon Forge, wins the $1 Million Prize, she will donate 100% of her prize to The Sevier County Humane Society.

Go to: Cutest Dog Competition Find Ellie's picture by searching in the Search Box for Miss Ellie and click on "Vote Cute." Vote Once Everyday- Get Your Friends To Vote August 30th through September 5th. Please limit one vote per household or office per day. If Miss Ellie makes the top 12 Finalists The Comedy Barn Theater will donate $1 for every vote placed to the Sevier County Humane Society.

VOTE MISS ELLIE NOW! Send an email to: SevierHumane@AOL.com and say I Voted For Miss Ellie! This signs you up to be notified of contest progress.
______________________________________________________________________
Easiest way to find Miss Ellie is to click on “Cutest Gallery” at top of page, then search for “Miss Ellie”. You have to register before you can vote but they don’t ask for anything except your email address and for you to set up a password. Please vote daily!

Vote Miss Ellie for the Cutest Dog Competition - Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder and just think how much help this will bring to homeless dogs in Sevier County !!

Shades Of The Past & Grand Fall Rod Run In Pigeon Forge - Sept 2009

It's almost that time again! Time to admire hundreds of classic cars, antique trucks and souped up rods. September is the month for Shades of the Past and the Grand Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Just plan to enjoy the crowds and backed up traffic. Check out the scenery - lots of incredible cars and the beautiful Smoky Mountains in the background!


September 11-12 2009 - Shades of The Past Rod Run XXVII - National Parks Resort Lodge & Smoky River Ranch; Fax (865) 995-9097 or Fax (865) 429-0159.




Sept 18-20 2009 - Grand Fall Rod Run- Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center; For more information call 1-800-251-4444. -Pigeon Forge, TN

If you are looking for a cabin rental in the area - check out
http://www.bestcabinsbyowner.com/
Guide to the Best"By-Owner"Vacation Rentals-Smoky Mtns of Tenn & NC


Photos by C. Gilliam

78 Yr Old Man Hikes All Trails in the Smokies- THREE Times !

A 78-year-old man finished his third completion of hiking all the trails in the Smoky Mountains ! Wow, that is unbelievable.. Cecil Rowe became somewhat of a celebrity this week, he is now the oldest person to do that.

There are over 800 miles of trails in the Smokies making this a pretty big feat.. He even helps others with their hiking.. Cecil Rowe from Knoxville said of the beautiful Smoky Mountains - "Anybody who says the scenery gets old is not paying attention".

See this entire story at Knox News online.

Photo and source - Know News

Smoky Mountain Grocery - New Service Brings Groceries To Your Door !!

Wow, what could be better than vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains?

Well, getting your groceries delivered right to your door.......no more waiting in lines at the store!! Get your vacation started immediately, no wasting time !!

Smoky Mountain Grocery just opened for business last week and they are starting off with a bang! Tim and Gina Bowers are the owners and they are ready to serve you.. Rent a Smoky Mountain cabin or hotel room, call, fax or email and they will schedule your "Pre Arrival Package".. Can you imagine having the fridge stocked with anything you can think of .......and you never have to step foot in the grocery store !!

Tim Bowers has been in the grocery biz most of his life........ His parents had stores and Tim has worked for such biggies as Kroger, HEB and Frito Lay...SO - he knows his business. He even has really, cool refrigerated trucks so that your delivery is totally........ fresh. This service is just a $15.00 delivery fee plus your purchase... You can't beat that!!

Smoky Mountain Grocery wants to be a company that gives back... They love the Smoky Mountains - like so many of us. They are donating $5.00 to Friends of the Smokies for each new fan that signs up on their Facebook page - help protect our beautiful Smoky Mountains, click here and become a Fan -

Delivery Monday-Saturday 7am-7pm Local Callers 877-4-VITTLES

You may place your order 24 hours a day!!!! 865-856-5300

Toll Free (877-484-8853) http://www.smokymountaingrocery.com

865-856-2700(fax)

We will be offering this grocery service at our pet-friendly cabins - Heavenly Cabins near Pigeon Forge Go to our Facebook Page and become a Fan and .. If you book a cabin rental with us in the next 30 days(at least 4 nights-expires 9/3/09), we will offer a free grocery delivery for up to $50 plus fee.

Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales Continues in Gatlinburg TN Till 8/8/09

Gatlinburg Tennessee - Annual Event - 4th Annual Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ Through August 8, 2009

All summer long visitors can meet characters, hear mountain music and learn about life in the Smokies on the streets of Gatlinburg, TN. Musicians, storytellers and cloggers perform at different locations along the Parkway every evening during this event!

Walk along the Great Smoky Mountains Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg and find the sounds of a dulcimer, strumming an upbeat mountain melody and find a group of people performing old fashioned clogging. Click to view event schedule.

These are a few of the entertainment mini-performances you will experience every evening through August 8, 2009 during your trip to the Smoky Mountains. It's Gatlinburg's Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales™ - a continuing event for 2009, featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying various time periods from the 1800s to today. Nearly a dozen acts involve the audience as they each perform in simultaneous ten-minute performances throughoutthe night.

"The goal of Gatlinburg's Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales™ is to bring evenings of entertainment surprises to the traditional summertime Parkway stroll experience in Gatlinburg," says George Hawkins, Manager of Gatlinburg's Office of Special Events. "At 5:30 p.m. each night, a horse-drawn wagon will carry the performers to their designated locations for the evening. The rotating cast of acts including storytellers, musicians and crafters will share their stories and skills during the 2-day MountainFest™ event."

Thanks to the City of Gatlinburg, Tennessee for providing all Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales™ info. Visit www.gatlinburg.com for more information on special events in the city of Gatlinburg Tennessee.

Info & Photo from http://smokymountaintunesandtales.com/