New Years Eve Ball Drop Gatlinburg 2012

Gatlinburg will welcome the arrival of 2012 in unique style with its 24th Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show around the intersection of Parkway and Historic Nature Trail at the base of the Space Needle late Saturday night, December 31.

At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2012, the Space Needle area will shine with a red glow from the surrounding rooftops at the beginning of a music program which includes selected songs followed by a choreographed fireworks show produced by Pyro-Shows of LaFollette, Tennessee.

Leading up to midnight, popular musical entertainment will be headquartered on the balcony of the Gatlinburg Convention Center at the Historic Nature Trail/Airport Road entrance. Party favors provided by Mr. Tablecloth will be available near the base of the Space Needle on Historic Nature Trail.

“It has become a tradition for families and friends from across America to come back to celebrate the New Year here in Gatlinburg,” said George Hawkins, Special Events Manager. “We expect to have another big crowd to help us usher in 2012 with their loved ones and friends.”

The highlight of the evening is the ball drop from the Space Needle, signifying the old year is over and a new one has begun. Then music encouraging crowd participation and the fireworks show off the 342-foot structure will welcome the New Year in dazzling style.

The entire city of Gatlinburg celebrates New Year’s Eve in a big way with many restaurants and attractions offering special celebrations. Popular hotspots are right in the middle of the fireworks area below the Space Needle and offer varying packages which may include music, buffets and a champagne toast.

For information on other New Year’s Eve parties and activities as well as lodging and dining options, please call the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at 800/568-4748, or visit www.gatlinburg.com.

Pigeon Forge Winterfest Trolly Of Lights Till Jan 12, 2012

Enjoy the Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights.. Leave the driving to them !!



November 8, 2011 - January 13, 2012


See the Winterfest light displays and their five million shining lights on board the Pigeon Forge Trolley Tour of Lights. Your heated, enclosed trolley comes complete with its own personal tour guide who will share stories about Pigeon Forge’s history and our famous Winterfest light displays.

Park your car and leave the driving to us!

Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights begins and end at Patriot Park. For specific departure times, call 865-453-6444.

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Now Thru Dec 30th, 2011

Don’t miss the three-time Winner of America’s Best Christmas Event,

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana - 11/5 till 12/30/11.  The 2011 season welcomes the premiere of Dollywood on Ice!, an ice dancing spectacular choreographed to the sounds of the season.


Walk amid a winter wonderland of four million lights as you enjoy more than 20 rides and attractions for the entire family. Settle in for one of the park’s award-winning holiday shows, including Christmas in the Smokies and O’ Holy Night before gathering around the table for a delicious holiday meal served at one of the park’s many restaurants.

Visit Santa’s Workshop where larger-than-life toy soldiers, wagons, a dollhouse, sailboats and other classic toys will astound you! See the 18-foot Christmas tree that is the centerpiece of Santa’s Workshop. Santa is also the centerpiece and star of the Parade of Lights that will come prancing throughout the park. A Dollywood Christmas is the most holiday fun you’ll have in the Smokies.

Info and photo from Dollywood

Christmas Wonderland of Lights Till 1/8/12 - Sevierville TN

Shadracks Stunning Christmas Light Display

Opening in Sevierville 11/11/11 till 1/8/12 

New Light Displays and Lots More this year !

Santa’s Village with a free petting zoo, pony and camel rides are available including photos and plush animals, photos with Santa, a Christmas Tree lot with gorgeous christmas wreaths (after Thanksgiving), and festive refreshments including Hot Cocoa, Apple Cider, Funnel Cakes, Christmas Cookies, Pizza, Kettle Corn and so, so much more!!! Don’t miss it!!!

NEW THIS YEAR: Kids Santa’s Train, Inflatable Slide, and Ferris Wheel!

Where:  Smokies Stadium Off  I-40  Exit 407

Dates of Operation:

November 11th, 2011 – Jan 8th, 2012

Hours: 

Dusk – 10PM* Every Night, Including Holidays!

(* = or later on weekends)

See more details at the Shadrack website

Gatlinburg Christmas Parade Dec 2nd, 2011

Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade
Presented by Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies



December 2 , 2011  7:30pm
Gatlinburg’s 36th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will showcase Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and one of the City’s largest and best known attractions families, Ripley’s Entertainment.

Sharky and Sharkette of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies will serve as the Parade’s Grand Marshals as it travels through downtown Gatlinburg on Friday, December 2 starting at 7:30 p.m. to the cheers of an anticipated crowd of more than 80,000 spectators.

Earlier this year, Ripley’s won an International Festival and Events Association Pinnacle award for Best Sponsor for Gatlinburg Special Events. The award recognized Ripley’s continued support of all of Gatlinburg’s events and community activities.

The Ripley’s Family includes the Believe It or Not Odditorium, Guinness World Records Museum, Davy Crockett Mini Golf, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze & Candy Factory, Ripley’s Moving Theater and, of course, the award-winning Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Today, nearly 40 years after the company arrived in Sevier County, one can find a sampling of every Ripley's venue in this family destination. In fact, Gatlinburg now boasts the largest concentration of Ripley's businesses in the world.

The “Fantasy of Lights” Parade also won a Gold designation in the International Festival and Events Association Pinnacle Awards for its television production from last year.

Distinguished entries in this year’s parade include the world-famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. The first Wienermobile was designed by Carl Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer, in 1936. The Wienermobile itself is 24 hot dogs high, 60 hot dogs long, 18 hot dogs wide and weighs 140,500 hot dogs.

The parade excitement for young and old also includes more than 100 parade entries, over a dozen marching bands from Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama, and giant helium balloons taking to the streets.

Santa’s Autograph Party cranks up at 6 p.m. at Riverbend Mall, in the midst of the main viewing area for the parade at Traffic Light #3. The parade begins at Traffic Light #1A on Hwy 321 at 7:30 p.m. and ends about an hour-and-a-half later at Traffic Light #10.

Jamming sidewalks and balconies along the parade route, a large crowd will be able to soak up the illuminating glow of Gatlinburg Winter Magic, the City of Gatlinburg’s popular holiday lights program which has received a $1.5 million injection of new displays plus a 100-percent conversion to energy-efficient LED bulbs over the past few years.


To learn more about these and other events in Gatlinburg, call 800-56-VISIT (568-4748) or visit the Gatlinburg website at http://www.gatlinburg.com/.




Info from Gatlinburg Events

Gatlinburg To Celebrate Veterans Day 11/11/11

The City of Gatlinburg will extend a heartfelt “Thank You!” to the men and women who put service before self at the Gatlinburg Veterans Day Celebration. The popular free-admission event on Friday, November 11 will begin at 11 a.m. on the Plaza at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and feature The Adjutant General of Tennessee, Major General Terry “Max” Haston, as keynote speaker.

Gatlinburg is an official Regional Site for the Observance of Veterans Day as designated by the Veterans Day National Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs, one of two cities in Tennessee and only 57 in the United States to hold this prestigious distinction. This designation affiliates Gatlinburg Veterans Day Celebration with activities taking place at the National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery.


“Our veterans deserve our gratitude and coming to Gatlinburg for this event is one of many, many ways we can show our support and to thank the veterans,” said George Hawkins, Special Events Manager for the City of Gatlinburg. “While it’s very important for us to remember those who gave their lives to protect our nation, Veterans Day is the holiday dedicated to letting the surviving Veterans know how much we appreciate them.”


The Gatlinburg Veterans Day Celebration is sponsored by City of Gatlinburg and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

For more info click here.

Pigeon Forge Winterfest Starts Today With Verterans Parade 11/8/11

Pigeon Forge kicks off Winterfest today with veterans parade  


PIGEON FORGE  11/8/11— A parade saluting America’s veterans, local entertainers and the illumination of 5 million lights await visitors to Pigeon Forge on Tuesday for Winterfest kickoff.

Activities that day start a celebration that continues through Feb. 26, with holiday shows, light displays and award-winning special events.

Dollywood entertainer James Rogers will perform before Many-Bears Grinder, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs, helps flip a switch to illuminate the city’s array of Winterfest lights. Entertainer Phil Campbell will emcee the evening’s program.

A brief fireworks display will add a special accent to the illumination.

Winterfest Kickoff begins at 4:30 p.m. when the first Pigeon Forge Salute to Veterans Parade steps onto the Parkway. It begins at Jehu Street and will proceed north to Patriot Park, lasting approximately one hour.

After the parade concludes, Cub Scouts will present the colors and lead spectators in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor David Wear will then introduce Grinder.

A troupe from the Grand Majestic Theater will offer a special tribute to veterans, and the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus will perform before Rogers takes the stage.

Winterfest Kickoff festivities at Patriot Park include a play area for children and food vendors benefiting local charities. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs. The lighting of the Winterfest displays is anticipated soon after 8 p.m.

Some of the military vehicles in the parade will remain in Patriot Park that evening for inspection, and the city’s Fun Time Trolleys will offer complimentary rides on the Trolley Tour of Lights that night.

Article From The Mountain Press
 
Photo - Flickr Creative Commons by Old Shoe

Smoky Mountain Ziplines & Canopy Tours - Pigeon Forge TN

Ziplines are all the rage now.. You will find the
Smoky Mountain Ziplines and Canopy Tours  

just a short drive off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. 

They have a  14-line canopy tour that allows you to work your way up to the longest and fastest ziplines in the area, and you’ll soon find yourself zipping along at speeds as fast as 40 miles per hour.

On top of that, you benefit from being outdoors,
with the wind in your hair, and you get to
immerse yourself in the beauty of the surrounding
Great Smoky Mountains. Smoky Mountain
Ziplines is your fast track to good times in Tennessee.

Several things make Smoky Mountain Ziplines the preferred choice for adventure seekers in this area. Size, location, price and accommodations combine to give you more value and fun for your money.


•You'll maneuver through the largest course in Pigeon Forge.

•Canopy tours from Smoky Mountain Ziplines let you ride longer for less money than others charge.

•Centrally located for your convenience: less than 2 miles from the main parkway in Pigeon Forge.

•Large base-camp building accommodates your group for parties and celebrations after the tour.

•The staff is totally committed to ensuring your time at Smoky Mountain Ziplines is completely unforgettable.

Reservations recommended.  Walk-ins welcome, but may be subject to waits between tours.

Smoky Mountain Ziplines



509 Mill Creek Road


Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

865-429-9004

River Tubing And Rafting In The Smoky Mountains Of Tennessee

 

With all the rivers and streams in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, you will not have a problem finding a great place to go tubing or rafting there..  Less than 10 miles from Heavenly Cabins you will find "Smoky Mountain River Rat" in Townsend TN where you can choose RiverTubing on the Little River or Pigeon Forge White Water Rafting.

Tubing in the Smokies is only minutes from Pigeon Forge in Townsend (TN).  Tube the Little River on the colorful sturdy river tubes.  Smoky Mountain River Rat offers unlimited shuttle services to make your day on the Little River fun and relaxing.  Tubing in the Smokies has never been so easy. 

Smoky Mtn River Rat now has new picnic areas overlooking the Little River in Townsend, Tennessee at both outpost locations.  Smoky Mountain River Rat's Little River Tubing, and Pigeon River White Water Rafting also have combo packages.. Check out rates and info on the website.   There's no better way to cool off in the hot summer.

Smoky Mountain River Rat
Hours of Operation Open 10:00 am Last Trip in River 5:00 pm
7 Days/Week  May - September


205 Wears Valley Rd  Townsend TN
865-448-8888

Pigeon Forge - July 4th, 2011 Patriot Festival

Celebrate our nation’s independence during the 2011 Patriot Festival of Pigeon Forge. 

The 21st Annual Patriot Festival at Patriot Park in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Festivities get started at 1:00 p.m. on July 4, 2011. The Patriot Festival is FREE and open to the public. Patriot Park is located on Old Mill Street at traffic light number 7 behind the historic Old Mill. Take advantage of the city parking lot on Teaster Lane with a trolley shuttle going to Patriot Park.Listeners should bring a lawn chair (no umbrellas, please) and prepare to enjoy an outstanding lineup of live musical entertainment.

Musical entertainment will include Restless Heart as the headliner. They will perform from their long list of number one hits including, “When She Cries, “Bluest Eyes in Texas” and “I’ll Still be Loving You.” Randy Montana who just got off tour with Taylor Swift will also be performing along with The Roys a bluegrass band and local favorites Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier. The Return, a Beatles Tribute Band, will also perform along with patriotic music from the Pigeon Forge Community Choir.

INTERESTING LOCAL TIP
WIVK radio 107.7 will be attending with their beloved mascot "WIVIK the Frog." Throughout East Tennessee, this radio station is commonly known as "WIVK {weh-vik} The Frog Station."

Kids will love the free Kids’ Karnival zone with inflatables and games, and Veterans will appreciate "Veterans Salute." Visitors always enjoy a rich variety of locally prepared foods available by non-profit vending organizations.

The City of Pigeon Forge proudly presents the evening fireworks show as a thank you to our guests and citizens for supporting Pigeon Forge! After the performances, the Pigeon Forge night sky will come to life with a fantastic fireworks display! The fireworks usually start at 9:30 to 9:45 p.m., so keep your eyes on the skies, you won't want to miss this display!

For more information, call the Pigeon Forge Office of Special Events at 865-429-7350  or  865-429-7350

The Miracle Theater - Pigeon Forge TN Opens For Sixth Season

The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge TN opened it's sixth   
season on March 12th to rave reviews !! Both "The Miracle" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" will be performed weekly through October..

Check out the mission statement of The Miracle Theater.

Mission Statement:


The Mission of the Miracle Theater is to present professional, faith-based family entertainment through live theatrical productions revealing the person of Jesus Christ as the Living Word of God.
 
For more information, click here for "The Miracle Theater's Website"

Dollywood's New Barnstormer Opening For The 2011 Season

DOLLYWOOD THEME PARK ANNOUNCES NEW BARNSTORMER 2011;


$5.5 MILLION PROJECT CREATES FUN-FILLED BARNYARD-THEMED AREA                        


PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.— High-flying high jinks take to the sky at Dollywood for the 2011 season with the new Barnstormer ride, a $5.5 million family thrill ride situated in a barnyard-themed area which also includes play areas for younger guests.

“I remember my daddy and granddaddy talking about the old barnstormers that used to do all kinds of crazy stunts above the fields where they’d work crops,” Dolly Parton said.  “My new Barnstormer ride offers folks those same breathtaking moments, high in the sky above Dollywood.  And I’ve recreated a critter-themed barnyard that reminds me of growing up on the farm here in the Smoky Mountains!”  

Taking its name from the daring aerialists and stunt pilots of the 1920s, the Barnstormer features two pendulum arms with seating for 32 riders.  Seated back to back, riders travel progressively higher on each swing of the Barnstormer’s massive arms, reaching a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour and 230 degrees of rotation.  At its peak, the Barnstormer reaches a staggering 81 feet in the air, taking riders high above the barn’s rooftop and the area’s treetops.  Situated in the lush foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Barnstormer rests amid a traditional red barn on the Owens Farm, a nod to Parton’s family’s rural upbringing.   

Click for More info on Dollywood and the Barnstormer

Spring Grand Rod Run - April 15-17, 2011

Springfest in Pigeon Forge brings thousands of classic cars from around the country for the show and competition. 

The Spring Grand Rod Run is April 15 – 17, 2011 it kicks off the car show season with classic Fords, Chevy/GMCs and Gold Wings. These cars and trucks are exciting to see drive by but are even better to sit in or take a look under the hood, which is what some of the thousands of visitors do as they walk the Parkway.

The participants in these car shows are so eager to get the weekend started that the Parkway and hotel parking lots begin to fill with classic cars on Tuesday of that week. The events feature more than just rare and unique autos, though. Throughout the event weekend, visitors can enjoy interactive displays presented by vendors from all over the country.

Those who enjoy the mechanical aspects of the auto world will savor the opportunity to participate in workshops and get answers to technical questions here at the Rod Run.

Dollywood Opens Saturday March 26, 2011

After weeks of anticipation, Dollywood’s 2011 opening day is just days away on Saturday, March 26, 2011!

Things will be in full swing at Owens Farm where the new Barnstormer family thrill ride takes to the sky. On stages throughout the Park, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations fills the Park with international songs, dances and artistry. This year’s festival welcomes three all-new shows - Samaia: Legend of the Caucasus, Los Pampas Gauchos, and Oisre.

We’re ready to entertain you and your family so mark your calendar and plan to join us for opening day at Dollywood on March 26. (View operating schedule here.)

Festival of Nations  at Dollywood 2011 Season Dates: March 26 - May 2

Quiltfest of Pigeon Forge - March 9th - 13th, 2011

Quiltfest of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee                 



The Pigeon Forge Quiltfest preserves the timeless art of quilting.


Wednesday, March 9th – Sunday, March 13th,2011


(Classes begin Tuesday, March 8th)

A Mountain Quiltfest, with annual attendance of more than 20,000 visitors, celebrates its 17th year, March 8-13, 2011. Quilters and crafters from across the U.S. gather for more than 70 classes and seminars, an expanded vendor mall and a quilt show featuring more than 300 quilted items.


Instructors for the 2011 event include Charlotte Warr Anderson, Elsie M. Campbell, Sally Collins, Klaudeen Hansen, Jody Houghton, Bonnie K. Hunter, Jo Morton, and Darlene Zimmerman.

The vendor area will offer a variety of quilt- and craft-related items. Other Quiltfest activities include lectures, along with show and tell opportunities. Detailed information regarding classes and seminars is available at www.mountainquiltfest.com, where online registration will begin at 10:00 am on Dec. 6, 2010.

A Mountain Quiltfest is produced by the City of Pigeon Forge and co-hosted by the Piecemakers and Sevier Valley Quilters Guilds.

11th Annual "Saddle Up" - Pigeon Forge- 2/24-27,2011

Join us for Saddle Up!, a celebration of the American West and one of the featured events of Pigeon Forge Winterfest. This award-winning festival includes entertainment presented the cowboy way, including concerts by western musicians and cowboy poets—                                              

Wylie & the Wild West

The Quebe Sisters Band

Brenn Hill

Yvonne Hollenbeck

Chris Isaacs

Jean & Gary Prescott

Ray Doyle

Click for more info..