Fourth of July Events For Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg

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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The "Quiet Before The Storm" in May.

The middle of May is the quiet before the storm here in the Smokies, the small slow before the Summer crowds come in and Pigeon Forge has been in preparation for it. Much construction is being done in town to bring new shops, restaurants and even rollercoasters (!) to the city.

To tide over until the new additions come in, visitors to Pigeon Forge can look forward to these special events.

Dollywood Barbeque & Bluegrass
5/23/15 - 6/7/15
www.dollywood.com

Cades Cove Tour With Bill Landry
5/23/15, 5/30/15, 6/7/15
865-448-8838

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
6/12/15 - 8/1/15
http://www.gatlinburg.com/events/details.aspx?id=146

Dollywood Great Smoky Mountain Summer
6/13/15 - 8/2/15
www.dollywood.com

And of course, you'll want to visit The Island, Ripley's Aquarium, the Old Mill and Wears Valley for the entertainments they'll be offering at the start of Summer. For more area info, visit www.allthesmokies.com.

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Dolly Homecoming Parade and Sevier County Days at Ripley's!

May has a great start coming up, and within a week, visitors to the Smoky Mountains will have ample supply of affordable entertainment to enjoy in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

The first one comes up next Friday, May 1st, with the grand return of Dolly Parton for the Dolly Homecoming Parade in downtown Pigeon Forge between stoplights #3 and #6 at 6:00PM. This is a city-wide effort where dozens of floats, locals and business owners all march down the main street of the city with Miss Dolly herself following close behind. www.mypigeonforge.com/events/dolly-parade/

And starting Sunday, May 3rd, all of the Ripley's attractions in Gatlinburg will be celebrating "Sevier County days" where those who live or work in Sevier (or Cocke or Jefferson county) who show up with identification can get in for only $5 a person. You and the kids can go to the Aquarium, Guinness World of Records museum, Haunted Adventure and more and still have money left over for pizza afterward! And money that goes to Ripleys goes on to the Sevier County Food Ministry as well. www.ripleysgatlinburg.com.

Check back with us in a little while for special events coming up next month as the Summer season starts. www.allthesmokies.com.

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Spring Has Sprung 2015

 It seemed like it was going to take forever, but Spring is officially here in the Smokies for all intents and purposes; not to mention the visitors who want to enjoy it now that they can!

All over, we're seeing trees blooming with the pastel and super-bright colors you've come to expect with Springfest. Our Dogwood trees are in full bloom and look like great balls of popcorn atop the aged wooden trunks. Hydrangeas, roses, tulips, rhododendron, frasier magnolia and many more stand out from even a fair distance. You won't see the colors from the mountains like you do in Autumn, but that gives you all the more incentive to go out and explore the Smokies through the hiking trails, motor trails and city parks.

You also know it's Spring in the Smokies when Dollywood reopens for Festival of the Nations! This is the 30th anniversary of the park becoming Dollywood and there will be new things being offered throughout the year (including the huge new DreamMore Dollywood Resort). Ireland is the focus again for Festival of the Nations and there are new performers taking stage throughout as well. "Timber!" and the "Alash Ensemble" will definitely be acts you want to check out. See more on this at www.dollywood.com.

As always, keep checking back with us for new events and items going on in the Smokies. www.allthesmokies.com.

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Valentine's Day 2015

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.summitcabinrentals.com
www.deerridge.com
www.covemountain.com
www.cosbycreekcabinrentals.com
www.mtnrents.com
www.erainthesmokies.com
www.riverhouseatthepark.com
www.condosinthesmokies.com
www.thepointresorttn.com

Hope to see you in the Smokies this February!

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Gatlinburg New Years Eve 2014

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 2014 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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Thanksgiving Week For 2014

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 11/25/14 to 11/30/14. Gatlinburg Festival of Trees (11/25/14 - 11/29/14), The Great Smoky Mountains Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show (11/25/14 - 11/30/14) and return performances of The Nutcracker "Sweet" on 11/28/14 and 11/29/14. If you come to visit W.L. Mills Auditorium on 11/28/14 and 11/29/14, 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 Christmas In Wears Valley starting up again this year! The community of Wears Valley, between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, had their own Christmas festival last year and it was a big enough hit to warrant a return for this year! Christmas in Wears Valley is on between November 25th, 2014 and January 3rd, 2015. There will be a Community Dinner, a return audience with Bill Landry, a new community tree and much more that you can find at www.christmasinwearsvalley.com.

And, of course, we have plenty to celebrate here in Pigeon Forge. Just Dollywood, The Old Mill, The Island and The Christmas Place alone will have much to bring the holiday festivities in with!

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

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