Independence Day 2013

There is a lot to love about Summer - backyard BBQ, city park picnics (also BBQ), municipal swimming pools, frisbee, baseball, fireflies and so much more - but the moment everyone looks forward to is a single 20 minute segment in early July, and you already know what it is.

But in the Smokies of East Tennessee, the magic of the 4th of July isn't just 20 minutes after sundown, it lasts the whole day starting 5 minutes after 11:55PM on July 3rd with the Midnight Parade in downtown Gatlinburg. This parade has been a tradition in Gatlinburg for years and years and for more than an hour, you and the whole family can watch an amazing patriotic parade - and that just BEGINS the 4th of July celebration!

Then after that, starting at 10 a.m. is the River Raft Regatta at Christ in the Smokies in downtown Gatlinburg where you can race any unmanned, floatable objects toward the goal at Ripley's Aquarium. This event is sponsored by the City of Gatlinburg Special Events Office, the Gatlinburg Recreation Department and the Boys and Girls Club.

In Pigeon Forge, Patriot Park is having Patriot Fest at 1:30 PM. The whole park becomes a center of activity with a huge sound stage, lots of activity, food tents, cooling off station, music by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, and much more until the fireworks start between 9:30 to 9:45 p.m. The fireworks in Gatlinburg start at 10:00 p.m. and if you're already downtown, you won't have to go far. The fireworks in Gatlinburg are designed to be seen from anywhere on the downtown sidewalk.

Come spend your 4th of July here with us in the Smokies! There's lots to do that's awesome for the whole family and we would be glad to have you. www.allthesmokies.com.

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GSM Outfitters in Wears Valley, Tennessee

Those of you who wanted to do some fishing and kayaking out in Wears Valley will want to know that there is a new store out in that area catering specifically to you! We welcome GSM Outfitters to our brethren of local business owners helping to enrich and expand the experiences of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Their press release is as follows:

"GSM has been started by Heather and Michael Shepperd. We were married on June 14th 2010. One of the many things we have in common is a love for the outdoors. When we met, my soon to be wife was getting ready for a backcountry trip with an organization call BOW (“Becoming an Outdoor Woman”). Their trip would be in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was also getting ready for a trip to Tennessee. Once in Tennessee I planned to hike Ramsey Falls for the second time. I decided to invite Heather to come with me.


I have been coming to Tennessee my whole life. My mother was born here and as a kid we would come for vacations and stay on my great uncle Wayne’s farm. I have always had an appreciation for this state. Beautiful county and nice people make for a perfect place, in my opinion. Heather agreed to join me on the trip. Once here, she had the same love and passion for this part of the country that I had always known.

Following that trip, almost every vacation or long weekend revolved around the Smoky Mountains. We have traveled and hiked various trails in and around the Smoky Mountains from Cades Cove to Cherokee, North Carolina. We never seem to grow tired of waterfalls, lush forest, mountain trails, butterflies, bears or Tennessee. It took no time to decide that when we retired Tennessee would be our home. We started saving money to facilitate the process. Just over a year ago we had a 3 hour brainstorm meeting at our kitchen table to try to figure out a way to purchase a vacation home in the mountains sooner rather than later. We tightened our belts for several months, cashed in stocks and did everything we could to squeeze every nickel.

In October we made a purchase of a home in Wears Valley.

The thought of living in this area became a vortex we could not and did not want to escape from. We were obsessed with the thoughts of daily life in the mountains and the experience that would be more than a vacation.

Sadly in January my mother passed away. In the last year of her life she had moved from Michigan back down south. Once she passed away something clicked inside of me. I did not want to spend abbreviated periods in the place that felt more like home than the place I was born in. Sometime during this confusing mix in our lives Heather and I decided to go all in and pursue our passion of a life in Tennessee combined with our love of the outdoors.

That is when we decided to open GSM Outfitters and make this magnificent place our home. Please come in and see us at GSM if not to shop than to share in your mountain experience. If you are not able to make it into the store please join us on facebook at GSM Outfitters LLC or visit our website: www.gsmoutfitters.com.

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Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass 2013

East Tennessee riddle for late spring: what has enough meat to rival the size of the Smoky Mountains, some of the best music acts you can find for miles around, free admission and the distinction of being one of the few special events you can enjoy around a courthouse?

The answer is the Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass public party in downtown Sevierville tonight and all day tomorrow. This is a tradition going years and years back, and it comes back with even more each year. It is a combination music festival, arts and crafts show and celebration of the Southern art of cooking with non-stop performances by artists like Doyle Lawson, J.D. Crowe, Tony Rice and more, a Barbecue cook-off with over 40 competitors, and The American Grillmaster Experience and the Great American BBQ Tour will both be on hand to share tips for everything barbecue.

See more on this awesome event at http://www.bloominbbq.com/WhatsNew.aspx.

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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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