Inside Pigeon Forge TN

The world’s largest permanent Titanic museum is set to officially open its doors in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Thursday, April 8.

According to the museum’s official website, www.titanicpigeonforge.com, guests will get to play a part in one of the greatest human dramas of all time as they navigate through 20 rooms holding over 400 valuable artifacts and personal items, an exclusive photo collection and hands-on-activities.

Some of the activities include:

• Walking an actual size replica of the Grand Staircase

• Touching the frozen surface of an “iceberg”

• Sending an SOS signal from the ship’s wireless communications room and receive communication from the coast guard

• Listening to survivors’ stories as they sit in actual lifeboats

• Feeling the chill of that fateful “Starry Night”

• Standing on the mighty ship’s bridge and hear the Captain’s commands

• Viewing life aboard the ship - see a First Class Stateroom and a Third Class cabin

• Exploring world-class gallery rooms with rare historical artifacts

• Controlling a simulated underwater Titanic exploration of your own

Guests will be given a passenger boarding ticket upon entry. These tickets tell the story of an actual Titanic passenger and allow you to follow their story throughout the exhibit. Each artifact has a unique story that relates directly to a crew member or passenger. At the end of your two-hour self-guided tour, you will discover the fate of your ticketed passenger in the memorial room.

Titanic in the Smokies is a permanent three-story, $25 million museum attraction shaped like the Titanic herself. Built half-scale to the original Titanic, the museum towers 100 feet above the parkway and is anchored in water to create the illusion of the Titanic at sea.

A free Titanic Museum preview center is currently open daily at 2134 Parkway in Pigeon Forge.

There is no shortage of events and things to do in Pigeon Forge for 2010. From the Wilderness Wildlife week in January to the New Year’s Eve Extravaganza in December, there’s something for everyone in 2010.

*PLEASE NOTE* These dates are subject to change. Please contact the numbers listed for each event to receive official information. If you discover something is different than what we have listed, please post it in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

January 2010

January 1 to 15 - Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights – Fun Time Trolley Station @ Patriot Park; (Mondays and Fridays only) 6:30 p.m.; $5.00; Call Trolley Office @ (865) 453-6444 for reservations and departure times.

January 9 to 16 - 20th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week – Music Road Convention Center; for more information call (865) 453-8574 or visit www.mypigeonforge.com

January 16 to 18 - The Edge Student & Leader Conference – Grand Resort Hotel & Convention Center; for more information call 1-800-251-4444.

January 26 to 28 - Ministers Conference Blue Springs Church of God – Smoky Shadows Convention Center; for more information call 1-800-251-4444.
Continue reading ‘Pigeon Forge 2010 Calendar of Events’

In what has become a staple of Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest (Feb. 25-28), the western-themed “Saddle-Up!” festival will again ride into town this February to a cowboy-lover’s delight.

The four-day festival includes a variety of entertainment, presented the cowboy way, from cowboy poets to concerts by Western musicians.

“It’s become a really big western-themed event,” said Lila Wilson, Pigeon Forge special events coordinator. “People who grew up watching old western shows and movies seem to really be drawn to the festival, which is now in its tenth year.”

From genuine chuckwagons from the Southeast and beyond at the annual chuckwagon cookoff to Western swing dances, there looks to be something for the Western enthusiast in all of us.

“It’s not that one event is more popular than the next, they’re all pretty popular,” Wilson said. “We bring in the cowboy poets, the western artists and then we wrap up the weekend with a Sunday morning chuckwagon breakfast followed by cowboy church. The chuckwagon cook off is always a big event because each entrant in the cook off competes for prizes.”

With last year’s festival drawing upwards of 2,000 people, Wilson believes Pigeon Forge is likely to see  around the same number of visitors this year.

“People love it, they just love it,” she said. “It’s a niche event and people who are into the old west really turn out for it. It’s an opportunity for people who have fond memories of days gone by when they were kids growing up watching those western shows and reading about cowboys. The excitement is there and we expect a great weekend this year.”

Continue reading ‘“Saddle-Up!” Western Festival Gears Up for 10th Annual Pigeon Forge Event’

Parker’s Greatest Knife Show is the greatest antique pocket knife show in the country. On June 11th through 13th the knife show will be at The Sevierville Events Center at Bridgemont. This is the brand-new, state-of-the-art events center located right off Highway 66 in Sevierville TN. You can see it from the road, look for the Music Outlet and then pull across the bridge to the events center. This astounding facility only makes the knife show that much better. Countless vendors and knives as far as the eye can see. Plus, you get the chance to meet and talk to other knife collectors from around the region and across the country.

The knife community is one of the greatest set of collectors on the planet. They are informed about their collectibles and look forward to talking with others about their passion. Whether they are collecting pocket knives or fixed blades, WR Case or Boker you will find some amazing collectibles and learn a lot about the history of the knife industry. Some of the vendors you will meet have been collecting knives since they were children getting their first knife from a parent or grandparent. These vendors will have one-of-kind pieces or knives that were limited production runs. The history of the knives that you will see will amaze you.

This show has kept its popularity due to the work of the late Jim Parker, part of the original Parker Knife family. This show has been around for 18 years and has grown considerably. The Parker name is known in the knife world and they are part of the history of America for that reason. From owning their own knife company to selling and trading the biggest brands in the knife world, this is the show to experience. Even if you are not a knife collector you will enjoy the greatest knife show on earth! If you are in the Pigeon Forge area in June, set aside some time for this special event.

June Fest brings a great bluegrass festival to the Smokies. Camping, music, games and of course fun come together for a great show. The 2008 event was the debut year of June Fest. People start getting there early and staying late. The site is set up to host RVers so bring your rig to the show. This year June 11th through 13th Dumplin Valley will bring the best of Bluegrass to east Tennessee.

Located at 525 East Dumplin Valley Road in Kodak, Tennessee, this event center has plenty of room for camping in RVs, fellowshipping with friends and, of course, room for the concerts themselves. During the weekend you will start with Bluegrass Brothers, Josh Williams Band, James King Band and Williams & Clark Expedition on Thursday. On Friday, Balsam Range, Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Carolina Road and the Gibson Brothers will take the stage. Rounding out the weekend, Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, Nothin’ Fancy, Barry Scott & Second Wind, Steep Canyon Rangers and JD Crowe & the New South will take the stage on Saturday. What a line up! The concerts are in the big tent and they will happen rain or shine, so don’t let a few rain drops spoil your fun.

Along with the music and friendship, there may be ballgames, bubble wrap dancing and much more. You never really know what a bunch of bluegrass fans will do to pass the time. If you are a bluegrass fan you don’t have an option–you have to be there. There are very few times in the year when you have the ability to see this many groups all at one time. A weekend pass for this event will run you $70 - $85 dollars depending on when you purchase your ticket, either before-hand or at the gate. That is a great price to see 14 bands and spend time with other people who share your interest. Check out their website: www.dumplinvalleybluegrass.com for updated information. Check Smoky Mountain Lodging sources if you are coming for this event.

The assumption is that if you want to get to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Pigeon Forge, you are going to drive to Gatlinburg or Townsend and then follow the signs into the park. Most people don’t realize that you can also cut through Wears Valley and get to the Park much quicker by going to Metcalf Bottoms. This gets you into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by a little-traveled road and you don’t have to sit in the traffic of Gatlinburg or drive all the way to Townsend to enjoy a picnic, fish or wade in a mountain stream.

To take advantage of this shortcut, turn onto Wears Valley Road at traffic light #3 and follow Wears Valley Road until you arrive at Lyons Spring Road. Lyons Spring Road is a little more than 9 miles from traffic light #3 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Turn left on Lyons Spring Rd, as you follow the road through the mountain scenery, you will come to a National Park sign before you drive into Metcalf Bottoms. At this point you are in the National Park. Metcalf bottoms has bathroom facilities, streams, picnic tables and hiking trails. It is one of the lesser used picnic areas in the park and is great if you don’t want to fight the traffic or have plans that put you back in Pigeon Forge in the evening. It is great to be able to get to the National Park easily and you can have fun without spending most of your day in the car.

From Metcalf Bottoms you can turn right and go to Cades Cove or turn left to go to Elkmont, Sugarlands Visitor Center or Gatlinburg. Again, this allows you to bypass the traffic in Gatlinburg which, during peak season, can take hours to get through or going through Townsend which can also take a while to get to. This is a great “shortcut”, especially if you are looking for a quick way to the park. Also see Driving Tips for Pigeon Forge.

Honda Gold Wing motorcycles take over Pigeon Forge on April 23rd, 2009 for the Spring Fling Rally. This year the event is hosted by the Grand Majestic Theater on Teaster Lane. In a weekend full of excitement, attendees will get the chance to attend seminars and discussion groups, participate in parades and win prizes, all the time spending time with other Gold Wing enthusiasts. This year the theme is 1942: A USO Wing Tour. Stop by and get to see some of the best looking motorcycles in East Tennessee.

The Tennessee Gold Wing Road Riders Association, the hosting organization, is the largest single-marquee social organization for owners and riders of Gold Wing motorcycles. This group will spend time getting to know each other better and learning about the interest that they share, the Honda Gold Wing. They will have seminars on everything from stress management to listening and communicating. They will also have the ability to visit vendors that have come in just for this conference. Products ranging from gear for their bikes to clothing will be available to the members throughout the weekend. At this kind of event though, what sticks out the most is the parade of bikes.

The bike parade will start from Teaster Crossing at 9pm. There will be hundreds of bikes in the parade and you will get to see Gold Wings of every description. Customized, chromed up and shined to high polish it should be a sight to behold. After the parade there will be a judging of the light show and winner of the Light Show in the parade will be crowned.

On Saturday at Belz Outlet Mall the bikes will be judged again. This time they will be judged during the Bike Show. The judging is at 2pm on Saturday. The bikes will be at their finest, the owners will be anxious for the results and the judges will hold all the hopes and dreams in their capable hands. The 2009 Spring Fling will be a great time for everyone. Bike owners, and those who love to hear the sound of Gold Wing coming to life, make your plans now.

“Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping down the Bunny Trail…” And that bunny trail leads to the Pigeon Forge Community Center. On Saturday, April 11th your kids can eat breakfast with the Easter Bunny and then take part in an Easter egg hunt. What better way is there to kick off your Easter festivities. The Breakfast begins at 9am with the Easter egg hunt following at 10:30am.

Start the Saturday before Easter off with a good wholesome breakfast hosted by the Easter Bunny himself. After breakfast there will drawings for door prizes and games for all the kids to enjoy. Breakfast is catered in and there is a charge for the breakfast of $5.00 per person. This is one of the few events that have a cost involved. There is a limited amount of space so if you are planning to attend make sure to make your reservations quickly.

Following breakfast with the Easter Bunny there will be an Easter Egg Hunt. The games and activities begin at 10:30am but the actual hunt starts at 11am. This Easter Egg Hunt is held every year, the Saturday before Easter at the Pigeon Forge City Park. There are 4 age groups to make sure that all the children get to participate and the start times for the different age groups are staggered so that parents with kids in different age groups won’t miss a thing. The age groups are: 3 and under, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. This is a free event, open to everyone. Celebrate Easter with a great family event! Whether you are a local or a tourist bring your kids to the Pigeon Forge Community Center and have a Happy Easter.

Ever heard of Veteran’s Boulevard Road? Better yet, ever tried to find a different route to Dollywood so that you can avoid the traffic in Pigeon Forge? If so, then Veterans Boulevard Road is your answer. Sevier County started the construction of Veterans Boulevard Road in 2004 and it is still a very under-used pathway to Dollywood and all things Pigeon Forge. Besides being a direct shot to Dollywood it is a new six lane road that allows you an alternative to the parkway. Veterans Boulevard is a perfect way to speed up your travel time and maximize your vacation time.

If you come into the Sevier County area from I-40 and you are headed to Dollywood take a left on Dolly Parton Parkway and drive until you come to traffic light 17.1. Take a right on Veterans Blvd. You are now on a six lane road that is a straight shot to Dollywood and Pigeon Forge. Dolly Parton Parkway is not as used by tourists as the Parkway and Veterans is a huge time saver without all the twists and turns of some of the back roads. There is a brand new entrance for Splash Country this year from Veterans and the entrance for Dollywood is there as well. It is six lanes until you get to the Dollywood entrance then it narrows down to four lanes when it merges with what was formerly Middle Creek Road.

If you are headed to Pigeon Forge, follow the same directions but pass Dollywood. You will come out where Teaster Lane and Middle Creek Road meet. You are now only a few blocks from the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. If you turn to the right and take Teaster Lane you can be at the Old Mill in a matter of minutes or you can go straight on Middle creek and end up at traffic light #8 in Pigeon Forge.

In a tourist area that sees millions of people in the course of a year, it is good to know the roads that will save you time and get you out of the car and having a good time as quickly as possible. Veterans Boulevard is a road to know.

Condo rentals are a very popular lodging accommodation in Pigeon Forge TN. Most are in the more populated areas of Pigeon Forge and thus are very convenient to the restaurants, attractions and trolley transportation along the Parkway.

Luxury condos available for rent (both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg TN condos) number in the thousands and have been outfitted with high-end furnishings, comforts and amenities. Picture them as a step up from the average hotel. Many of the condominium properties include amenities such as indoor swimming pool, workout facility, and meeting space-making a condo rental a good choice for your special group gathering such as family reunion, corporate or church retreat.

Add the luxury to their convenience to all the things you came to Pigeon Forge for and you have a compelling reason to choose a condo rental as your lodging choice during your next visit to the Smokies.

Condo Rentals:
Pinnacle Crest Luxury Condo Rentals - 19 luxury two-bedroom condos with king-size beds right in Pigeon Forge TN with swimming pool, workout room, meeting space, and great views of downtown Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains. Walking distance to city recreation center and waterpark.

For complete Smoky Mountain travel info, visit the Smoky Mountain Mall website and get recommendations for Smokies itineraries, Pigeon Forge TN and Gatlinburg cabin rentals, lots of photos, calendar of events, dining recommendations and much more.