April Special Events for 2013

Man, we're halfway through April and we STILL have a lot of things coming up this month! Visitors take note, because there are some new and interesting events going on in Pigeon Forge in the next couple weeks.

Festival of the Nations:
March 23th - April 22nd, 2013
One more week to go for Dollywood's favorite Springtime festival! In case this is the first time you've heard of it - the Festival of Nations gathers many of the countries of the world to Dollywood where many cultures will add to the entertainment of the park. Africa, India, China, France, Poland and more will all be there and providing some of the best shows you will see all year!

Hurry and see it before you need to wait for next year! http://www.dollywood.com.

Welcome Home Vietnam Parade:
April 15th - April 16th, 2013
Starting tomorrow, there will be a two-day period of recognition for our veterans of the Vietnam war with a tour package featuring shows and theaters honoring the men in service to our country on Monday and a parade in that same honor for Tuesday.

For information on that, call 865-774-8114.

Grand Spring Rod Run:
April 19th - April 21st, 2013
The first of the big three annual car shows going on in Pigeon Forge starts on the weekend of April 19th. If you love cars and the many ways to artistically celebrate them, the Grand Spring Rod Run is one of the best things you'll find in Tennessee all season! http://www.pigeonforgetnguide.com/car-shows/spring-grand-rod-run-pigeon-forge-tn/

Dolly's Homecoming Parade:
May 10th, 2013
We will be welcoming back Sevier County's favorite daughter - Miss Dolly Parton herself for the 28th Annual Dolly's Homecoming Parade. This is a big event for the city of Pigeon Forge and local businesses, so you will see some highly creative and expressive floats going down the main parkway, followed by the Grand Marshall herself, Dolly Parton. Parade starts at 6:00PM starting at Stoplight #3. http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_dolly_parade.aspx

Stay tuned with us next month as we bring you more coverage on Springfest in the Smokies and any news on the new Island section of Pigeon Forge - www.allthesmokies.com.

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Upcoming Spring Events for 2013

The Smokies are on the very cusp of Spring and with the return of emerald hills, lush green thickets and jade mountain tops everywhere you look in Sevier County, the special events will be returning as well.

And the best part about Spring special events is that they incorporate some of the most unique and fulfilling activities you can find in the Smokies. If you're not into some of the more mainstream material that Summer typically offers, you'll want to take a look at some of these:


Gatlinburg Improv Fest
March 8th - March 9th, 2013

Sweet Fanny Adams, one of the longest-running theaters in town and a model of academic dramatic influence in town, hosts this weekend festival for improvisational comedy enthusiasts in downtown Gatlinburg. Lots of performances and even workshops for developing your own talent further will be expected. See www.gatlinburgimprovfest.com/ for more information.


A Mountain Quiltfest
March 12th - 16th, 2013

The city of Pigeon Forge hosts a very popular festival in which over 20,000 visitors participate in many classes and seminars, and view some of the most gorgeous quilts in the country. More than 60 classes and seminars will be featured and a vendor mall will be onsite for enthusiasts to purchase supplies. http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_quiltfest.aspx


Dollywood's Festival of Nations
March 23th - April 22nd, 2013

Dollywood opens every season with the most exciting Spring festival you'll find in East Tennessee - the Festival of Nations gathers many of the countries of the world to Dollywood where many cultures will add to the entertainment of the park. Africa, India, China, France, Poland and more will all be there and providing some of the best shows you will see all year! http://www.dollywood.com


Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg
March 31st, 2013

The Sunrise Service is a Christian lead Easter service at the top of our
provided. Tram rides start at 5:45 AM in downtown Gatlinburg and are
omplimentary to visitors for this event. http://www.obergatlinburg.com


Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
April 5th - August 10th, 2013

Ever wanted the Smokies to be filled with the old timey music and legends
that it used to have way back in the day? Come to Gatlinburg for Smoky
Mountain Tunes and Tales and you can experience Gatlinburg celebrating
Appalachian Culture the way it used to. Music, stories, dancing all
throughout the city on evenings. http://www.gatlinburg.com


Stay tuned as always for information on new, upcoming events in the Smokies. www.allthesmokies.com.

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Valentine's Day 2013

Looking for some good ideas to help supplement your Valentine's Day trip to the Smokies? Here are five excellent suggestions for getting your romantic getaway started on the right foot:

# 1 Surprise
The element of surprise is a very powerful tool. It shows foresight and planning, and it says "I care enough about you to go to lengths to, well, surprise you." Women especially seem to relate surprise with romance. It doesn't need to be an elaborate scheme, just show forethought.

# 2 Creativity
Creativity in your dating life and dating in your married life keeps things fresh and fun. When was the last time you did something silly on a date? Had a pillow fight or water war?  Finger painted?  Read poetry out loud? If you've never done one of these things, try it on your next date. Better yet, combine two or more of these activities!

# 3 Interest
Okay, this seems like a no-brainer, but for a successful romantic event, one or both of you need to be interested in the activity. 

# 4 Planning
Planning is what separates a truly impressive and memorable romantic getaway from a mediocre one. Call ahead, make reservations, do a little research.

# 5 A Sense of Humor
Along with your most romantic plan, have a Plan B in mind and a sense of humor to get you through it. Even with the other four elements -- surprise, creativity, interest, and planning--dates can still be affected by circumstances beyond your control. The ability to laugh together is the mark of a great romance. Horribly ruined dates can become private jokes and fond memories if you keep your sense of humor intact.

And some suggestions of where to stay for your romantic getaway?
www.mtnlaurelchalets.com
www.deerridge.com
www.sidneyjames.com
www.laurelinncondos.com
www.oldegatlinburgplace.com
www.covemountain.com

Hope to see you in the Smokies this February!

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Gatlinburg New Years Eve Party!

In the Smoky Mountains, as anyone who has ever visited us would know, we take our special events seriously. Our Harvest Festivals are saturated with colors, our Springs are brisk with bloom to spare, our Summers are wall-to-wall attractions and special events and our Winterfests are full of holiday cheer.

And during New Years Eve, we both end AND begin the years with a bang!

Come to Gatlinburg for the big New Years Eve party where there will be many restaurants and local places celebrating the event. There will be entertainment leading up to final countdown, and then the epic ball drop at the final seconds of 2012 that ends with an EXPLOSION of fireworks on the Space Needle in the center of downtown Gatlinburg. More than 15 minutes of colorful sparks and flames will fire from the tower.

It's the biggest party in the Smokies and everyone is invited! See more information at http://www.gatlinburg.com/events/details.aspx?id=117

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Upcoming Events for November 2013

Lots going on this month towards Thanksgiving (naturally) and as December starts entering in.

First and foremost, Gatlinburg's trio of events at W.L. Mills Auditorium is back on this year between 11/26/13 to 12/1/13. Gatlinburg Festival of Trees (11/26/13 - 11/30/13), The Great Smoky Mountains Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show (11/26/13 - 12/1/13) and return performances of The Nutcracker "Sweet" on 11/29/13 and 11/30/13. If you come to visit W.L. Mills Auditorium on 11/29/13 and 11/30/13, you and your family can check all three one the same day under one roof! Visit www.gatlinburg.com for more information on those events.

Then, we have a new event to tell you about in the area. The community of Wears Valley, between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, is starting up a Christmas festival of their own that you simply must see! Christmas in Wears Valley is on between November 29th and December 31st for 2013. It is a weekend event going on each weekend between those dates at Wears Valley Ranch just off the main road in the community. There will be wagon rides, hayrides, storytelling, Christmas Carols in addition to the wonderful things you can find in the area year-round.

There is also going to be a special promotion similar to a scavenger hunt where people who find 10 specially decorated Christmas trees at businesses in Wears Valley will receive a free Christmas In Wears Valley Christmas card, and those who find all 20+ will receive a free Christmas In Wears Valley T-shirt. You can find more information on this event at www.christmasinwearsvalley.com.

Stay tuned with us at www.allthesmokies.com as we get ready for December and the Christmas events going on.

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Pigeon Forge Motel Discounts

The Green Valley Motel in Pigeon Forge has asked us to release their newest seasonal discounts and coupons for October and November.

*October #1 Weekday Special*
Stay 2 Nights and Get the 3rd Night Free!
Offer applies to all room types, Sunday through Thursday Nights. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.
Expires October 31st, 2012.

*October #2 Weekday Special*
Stay 3 Nights & Get the 4th Night Free!
Offer applies to all room types, Sunday through Thursday Nights. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.
Expires October 31st, 2012.

*November Special*
3rd Night Free Special!
Offer applies to all room types, any time of the week. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.
Expires November 30th, 2012.
Offer not valid between November 21st to November 24th.

You can find more information and even a weeklong, year-round special at www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

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Autumn in the Smokies 2012

Now we enter the prime of the Autumn season - Harvest Festival is beginning in the Smokies and, as we do every year, we will be seeing major color changes and some unique fun that we want to invite you and the whole family to come join!

Pigeon Forge celebrates the season with city decorations, Halloween events at the Community Center, and a major craft tent in the parking lot of Patriot Park. Dollywood begins it's annual Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration on Oct. 3rd and lasts through Nov. 3rd. This festival features a full month of nonstop Gospel performances by the best in the industry along with artists and crafters who come to the park to show off the skills handed down to them by the generations. Well worth the price of admission! Visit http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events.aspx for more information.

Also, Wears Valley, between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, will be hosting an Oktoberfest that celebrates the Appalachian Harvest Festival - with dozens of arts and crafts vendors, several food vendors with a range of Southern treats for you, a guest appearance by Bill Landry of the Heartlander Series, the Stars of the Smokies talent competition, performers from SkyDive East Tennessee and more! You can see more on that at http://wearsvalleychamber.com/

The fall colors are already starting, and if your Smoky Mountain vacation planning hasn't by now, you might get here too late! Start your itinerary today so you can get the full Autumn experience here in the Smokies. www.allthesmokies.com.

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