Memorial Day 2012

This weekend, we raise our glasses and toast and celebrate the many armed services members, both past and present, who have given their time and their lives to keeping the United States safe and free.

As Memorial Day Weekend is a huge event for visitors coming in to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Several shopping outlets will be having Memorial Day sales and Dollywood is showcasing its Barbecue and Bluegrass Festival starting May 26th and continuing until June 10th. It's a perfect preview to what Summer will be offering us here in the Smokies and the extended vacation time in the mountains will do you good.

Stay with us as Summer is just around the corner, and you'll want to know the events coming up in June and July. www.allthesmokies.com

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Springfest 2012

April is coming up and it's the best part of Springfest in the Smokies. We have more special events coming up in April than any other month before summer and all of them are worth checking out if you're coming to the Smokies for a getaway!

The biggest news to share is Festival of the Nations at Dollywood is now open and running until April 30th. This year sees "Spirit of the Dance", an award-winning show that's played in Las Vegas, New York City, London and more venues around the globe. Russia, India, Germany, South America, Canada, China, Africa and many other nations will be performing or vending or cooking as well!

Another reason to come is the huge new Wild Eagle Rollercoaster at Dollywood, the only one of its kind in the world that lets you come as close to flying as physically possible over the Smokies. In fact, it's hard to find anything in Tennessee that gives you as many thrills as Dollywood does on top of a 25-year-strong consistent level of quality WITH a multi-national cultural festival going on at the same time.

And that's just one event! Take a look at what else the Smokies in Tennessee are offering for April.

Great Smoky Easter Arts and Crafts Show
4/4/12-4/7/12

Unique handcrafted gifts made by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are offered as they host their annual holiday show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center/W.L. Mills Auditorium. Perfect Easter Time outing with the family. www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=30

Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg
4/8/12

Ober Gatlinburg continues its tradition of offering a free breakfast buffet and a sunrise Easter service at their facilities at the top of the mountain. Tram service starts at 5:15AM and the breakfast buffet at 6:00AM. www.obergatlinburg.com

62nd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
4/25/2012-4/29/2012

Celebrate and enjoy the beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with over 150 different programs, including hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations and classroom lectures centered on the flowers, plants and wildlife in the great outdoors. For more information, call (865) 436-7318 ext. 22 or visit www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org. ($)

Ribsfest, Wings and BBQ
4/26/2012

The mountain of ribs and wings blend nicely against the Smoky Mountains as Ribsfest, Wings and BBQ starts again at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. The price of admission buys you all the ribs and wings you can eat plus entertainment, vendors and an Ice Cream Eating contest just to name a few. www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=27


As always, stay tuned with us as we deliver you more special events in the Smokies. See you in May!

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Early Spring Preview

As of late February, many local are already calling it Spring here in the Smokies, and with 70 degree temperatures and flowers already blooming, it's not hard to see why. We almost never get Spring previews like this in the mountains, so if you want to get in a near-Springtime Smoky Mountain getaway without much of the major traffic, now is the time to come!

And soon the special events will be starting up again. Here's a quick look at what's coming up soon:

The 18th Annual "A Mountain Quiltfest"
3/14/12-3/17/12

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. www.mountainquiltfest.com

ClausFest Parade
3/17/12

Gatlinburg's Spring Parade is back on for 2012. The Clausfest parade features, get ready for this, all your favorite Christmas and St. Patrick's Day icons marching together in a grand fashion down the main street of downtown Gatlinburg. It's a sight worth coming to see. www.clausfest.org

Dollywood "Festival Of the Nations"
3/24/12-4/30/12

Dollywood opens it's gates once again to the tune of world music as Festival of the Nations returns to captivate visitors to the Smokies. Groups from Ireland, South America, Africa, Germany and more will be coming and coming back to entertain us here in the Smokies. www.dollywood.com

Great Smoky Easter Arts and Crafts Show
4/5/12-4/7/12

Imagine if the Arts and Crafts Community of Gatlinburg, with dozens of other independent artists and artisans from whole states away gathered in one huge building in downtown Gatlinburg and you have the setting for the Great Smoky Easter Arts and Crafts Show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. www.gatlinburgcrafts.com

Keep checking back as always for new special events going on in town. www.allthesmokies.com

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Highlights for February 2012

February sits comfortable in the middle of what we consider to be the quiet part of Winterfest. Generally, this season is between post-holiday January and up to late March when we start Spring. February is most definitely the quietest month of the year, but the relaxed atmosphere makes it perfect for the slew of more unique events that will be taking place.

The first to keep in mind is Valentine's Day on February 14th. There are plenty of places here in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg where you and your special someone can go out for a romantic dinner - Greenbrier Restaurant, Alamo Steakhouse, Bear Creek Grill, The Pottery Cafe and at least 50 other great places just within 10-15 minutes of driving. Also consider contacting "In Cabin Services" to have a romantic massage/gift basket brought right to your cabin or room.

Also in February is when Pigeon Forge throws one of its favorite events and it's a one-of-a-kind on the events calendar. The "Saddle Up!" Cowboy and Western festival is in town during the weekend between February 23-26. The best in old fashioned Wild West-style entertainment will be in and around town with performances, dances and even a Cowboy Church for Sunday. See www.mypigeonforge.com/winter-promotion/ for more information.


And in Gatlinburg on the same weekend is a brand new event at Sweet Fanny Adams theatre - Gatlinburg Improv Fest. Sweet Fanny Adams has always been a pinnacle not only for straight and simple entertainment but also the academics of comedy here in town and now they're the site of a whole weekend festival dedicated to the art. Performances and workshops are expected and if you want something totally new and different, you found your weekend to come to the Smokies!

Continue to stay tuned with us as we offer more special events and information in the Smokies. See our website at www.allthesmokies.com.

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New Years and January 2012

The New Year starts with a 15-minute long bang in the Smokies and offers plenty of great entertainment and activity for Winterfest long after the holidays are over.

Gatlinburg is, naturally, the center of the biggest party in the Great Smoky Mountains during New Years Eve. The Pyro-shows production company will be playing music from the center of town until the countdown starts. Once the ball drops from the Space Needle to ring in the New Year, the tower will explode in a prolonged and incredible fireworks display the likes of which you won't see for another year! Only Gatlinburg offers something that grand here in the Smokies.

Following shortly after that is another major treat for visitors to the mountains with the ever-popular Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge. This is a week-long treat, from January 7th to the 14th for nature lovers as it promises plenty of lectures, presentations, guest speakers, a gorgeous photographic exhibit, vendor with nature supplies and much more! You can see more of that at www.mypigeonforge.com/events_winterfest_wilderness.aspx.



January is already shaping up to be a great start to 2012 and we hope you get to come out to the Smokies to enjoy it with us. Stay tuned here for more special events information. For additional information on Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and surrounding areas, visit allthesmokies.com.

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Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade 2011

Another week, another Winterfest activity here in the Smokies!

This week, we have not one, but two huge Christmas Parades with the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade in Gatlinburg and the 49th annual Christmas Parade in Sevierville.

Friday night, December 2nd, Gatlinburg's most popular Christmas centered event comes marching down Highway 321 to Stoplight #10 at 7:30PM for more than an hour of famous Christmas characters, carolling, floats, marching, clown cars and even drum and pipe bands. All your favorite characters, new and old, famous and maybe some obscure icons from way back in the day, will all be there that evening and you and your kids are going to love it and treasure the memories forever. That's how the Fantasy of Lights keeps coming back year and year.

And in Sevierville, we have the 49th Annual Christmas Parade going on on Decemebr 3rd, where Santa Claus himself will be the grand marshell leading baton twirlers, pageant winners and a host of Christmas floats, trucks, down one of the main roads of historic downtown Sevierville. Also worth a look!

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