2012′s Festival at Dollywood features Spirit of the Dance, a wildly entertaining Irish dance troupe. This spell binding show is more than just your average tap performance. You’ll see a powerful, foot-stomping show with performers in fantastic costumes. This show offers incredible music and amazing dances seen by more than 30 million people around the world – you’ll be glad you chose to come.

Of course, Spirit of the Dance isn’t the only show you’ll see at Dollywood during the Festival of Nations. Ashelin, a Canadian band of sisters, will sing Irish music from Newfoundland, while producing fascinating rhythms on a number of different instruments.

Atahualpa, from Ecuador, offers South American traditional songs and dance rhythms. They play both native instruments and modern keyboards and guitars, resulting in a fascinating blend of cultures. The Russian Academic Band will perform under the direction of the Ulyanovsk State Symphony Orchestra’s Nikolai Novitchkov as well.

Veseli Begunjcani will entertain the crowds with a fun and lively performance featuring the sounds of Bavarian music that will have guests ready to dance. Their spirited performances showcase their country’s popular Slovenian Polka party.

The Zambian Vocal Group brings different tribes together, forming one sound and creating a unified performance. They perform a capella, with no instruments, singing traditional hymns as well as original pieces. You’ll hear traditional African rhythms, complex harmonies, and unique vocal percussion, too.

If you’ve never been to Dollywood, this is the time to attend. You’ll see all the usual attractions, plus the wonderful performances and sights of the Festival of Nations. For more information about the Festival, check out Dollywood’s web page at http://festivals.dollywood.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=106&season=spring. Also be sure to check out our list of tips for visiting Dollywood.

If you’re looking for a place to stay while in town then be sure to check out our list of the best hotels in Pigeon Forge, TN and our list of Pigeon Forge cabins. Also be sure to check out the full calendar of events in Pigeon Forge, TN.

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Dollywood’s Festival of Nations

Obviously, people come to the park to ride the train first and foremost. You’ll be taken back to a time when guns and horses were the things men relied on to settle the open plains of the West. Only this time, you’ll take a train through the Great Smoky Mountains. Look out for bandits trying to rob the train in true outdoor drama style. It’s a spectacular Wild West show, and while you enjoy it, sit back and relax on a grand piece of American history. Built in the 1800s, this particular steam engine had been around the country before the people at Tweetsie gained ownership of the nostalgic locomotive during the middle part of the last century.

Live shows also make up a big part of the theme park, in addition to the show on the train. Hop on over to the saloon and you can take part in a live 1800s style saloon show with bar girls, gamblers, bandits, and the like. Stay for the Tweetsie Cloggers, who have been entertaining crowds for years. Roam the streets with the Tweetsie Railroad cast as they pull you into their wild-west story.

Kiddie rides abound at the Tweetsie Railroad theme park. Inline cars, a merry-go-round, planes or any of a number of other rides have been built with children being the sole focus. This is a great time – while the kids are enjoying the rides – for parents, or anyone else to get something to eat in the park. The food is all carnival-type fare, and really good. From cotton candy and caramel apples to ice cream and hot dogs, all are available at the park’s restaurants or food vendors. Just be sure to ride everything you want before you eat.

Whether you’re just there to hop a train ride or sample park food till your heart’s content, you will have the time of your life at Tweetsie Railroad. The Tweetsie Railroad theme park delights thousands of guests each year. You’ll find yourself having more fun then you thought you could ever have in Blowing Rock, NC. Check the Tweetsie Railroad website for operation times before you go because their hours are limited. They are only open during the better weather parts of the year so please plan your visit accordingly. Tweetsie Railroad is a sure-fire, fun time in the Great Smoky Mountains.

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Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, NC

If your plan is to ski while in Pigeon Forge during your next vacation, or Smoky Mountain getaway, then the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort is where you need to be. Ober is the only ski resort in Tennessee, so if you’re looking for more choices best keep on going to North Carolina, or on toward West Virginia. But here in the Smoky Mountains, Ober Gatlinburg is where folks come whether their staying in Gatlinburg, shopping in Pigeon Forge, or visiting Sevierville.

And don’t think there won’t be something for everyone. Ober Gatlinburg is a family ski resort that has a myriad of activities. If part of your family doesn’t ski or snowboard, take a few laps around the ice skating rink, go play in the arcade, take a trip down the alpine slide, the scenic chair lift, and more. Even the older folks have something to do as they can sit by the fire in the lounge or even “people-watch” around the ice skating rink. Ober’s been a Smoky Mountain staple since 1962 when it comes to entertaining family, friends, and even that hard to please uncle, aunt or grandparent.

When you arrive at Ober Gatlinburg you’ll have two options to get you to the top. Guests can either ride the aerial tramway (which happens to be the largest aerial tramway in America) from downtown Gatlinburg, or drive up the mountain on Ski Mountain Road. Simply turn at traffic light No. 9 on the south end of Gatlinburg (closest to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park) and follow the winding road (Ski Mountain Road) all the way to the top…but have cash in hand for parking. A bit of advice – the earlier you go, the better. The are three tiered parking lots and you’ll have a better shot at getting a space at the top near the resort. Otherwise, it’s quick hike from one of the lower decks.

*The snowmakers at Ober Gatlinburg are currently working around the clock when temperatures permit until there is enough base snow to provide a quality product for skiers, snowboarders and tubers for the 2011-12 ski season. Ober Gatlinburg is committed to providing our guests the best conditions for winter sports and plan to open the slopes as soon as possible.

Lift Ticket Rates:
http://www.obergatlinburg.com/wintinfo.htm

Other Attraction Rates:
http://www.obergatlinburg.com/rates.htm

Latest Ski Report:
http://www.obergatlinburg.com/snowrpt.htm

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Don’t Just Stop in Pigeon Forge, It’s Ski Season in Gatlinburg!

What the Insider Says:

What do you get when you cross a science museum and an arcade? If you said “a mess” you’re half right! If you also said “WonderWorks” then you’ve got it! The “mess” is that the building is built to look like it has landed upside down in Pigeon Forge. You simply cannot miss it as it is arguably the most unique building in the Smoky Mountains. WonderWorks is located right beside the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner Show. WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge, TN says it is “Tennessee’s only upside down attraction. An Amusement Park for the Mind, featuring over 150 interactive exhibits. It’s 55,000 sq feet of Family Fun…and don’t miss the most anticipated Dinner Show – Hoot ‘n Holler” according the WonderWorks home page.

This is an extremely entertaining attraction that is well worth every penny. Unlike a dinner show or theater where you have a specific amount of time to enjoy them, the WonderWorks in Tennessee is a go-at-your-own-pace attraction that lets you try out every single exhibit as many times as you want! There are no limits (that I know of) to the amount of times that you can play interact with the exhibits. Wonder Works will honestly keep an entire family of every age entertained for hours! I spent close to two hours going through and trying out everything that I could. I got to feel the winds of a hurricane, experience what an earthquake feels like, ride some bicycle thing that flips you completely upside-down, throw a baseball, design and ride my own virtual roller coaster, lay on a bed of nails, and so much more! WonderWorks is definitely one of the best attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Insider Tips:

• Pick your times. It can get crowded, so choose wisely when you go. The best times are early morning or late after dinner. Try to avoid Fridays and Saturdays if at all possible.
• Use coupons. Get Wonder Works coupons and discount tickets at http://www.wonderworkstn.com/coupons.htm
• Watch when you eat. There are rides that spin and flip, so eat either before or after you go depending on which doesn’t make you sick!
• Bring your camera! There are so many photo opportunities at WonderWorks. Take a picture of someone in a spacesuit, on a bed of nails, flying through the air, etc.
• This is a great place for birthday parties, youth group trips, reunions, etc.

The only disappointment that I had with WonderWorks was that some of the exhibits weren’t working. With so many people interacting with them, it’s understandable that some exhibits will tend to take the day off. I tried messing with a computer that could supposedly read my mind by asking me 20 questions, but it wouldn’t even ask the first question…I guess my mind is hard to read! There was also a spaceshuttle simulation on a plasma screen that wasn’t working. I messed with an exhibit that was supposed to show me what I will look like in 20 years, but it simply made me look like I do every morning! With so many things to do, these were easily forgiven. I still give WonderWorks a big 5 star rating simply because of the bang for the buck entertainment. WonderWorks also has the Hoot and Holler Dinner Show, which is a turn-of-the-century vaudeville style dinner show with family-style Italian food. It sounds like a lot of fun with a ton of audience participation.

If you have tips that you would like to share about Wonder Works in Pigeon Forge, TN then please post a comment below!

Website:
http://www.wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge/

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WonderWorks

If you plan on being in Pigeon Forge, TN for the 4th of July, the town’s Patriot Festival is something you’ll probably want to check out. The 21st Annual Patriot Festival will be going on Monday, July 4 at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. This will include free concerts and fireworks for the entire family to enjoy. Here’s what to do:

Monday, July 4th:
The action starts at Patriot Park at 1 p.m. with the band Restless Heart headlining the event that evening. This event is at Patriot Park in the middle of Pigeon Forge…behind the Old Mill. There will be tons of free activities for kids starting at 1:00 pm, which will be dubbed “Kid’s Karnival”. Other performers that day include Randy Montana, a rising country singer fresh off the Taylor Swift tour; Rural Rhythm Records siblings and bluegrass band The Roys, hometown favorite Jimbo Whaley & The Greenbrier; The Return - a Beatles tribute band; music from the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus, and the cast of Grand Majestic Theater will give a salute to our country’s Armed Forces.

Food vendors will also be at the event to give you and your family a chance to refuel and enjoy the entire day (the food is one of the only thing at the event that isn’t free). You could also leave the event (since it’s free) and head to one of the best restaurants in Pigeon Forge.

The festivities conclude at 9:30 pm with an awesome fireworks display that never disappoints. This thing gets bigger and better every year! The location of the fireworks in Pigeon Forge has moved over the years from Patriot Park to an area behind “fast food strip” where McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Arby’s, etc are. Stay tuned for the exact location so that you can get the best possible viewpoint for your family. This will definitely be an awesome way to spend the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge, TN with your family! Be sure to also check out our article on how to avoid traffic in Pigeon Forge.

Also, if you’ll be in Gatlinburg, TN on July 3rd, you might want to see the 4th of July midnight parade in Gatlinburg., which begins at midnight on July 3rd and is considered the first 4th of July parade in the world.

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4th of July in Pigeon Forge

The Synchronized Fireflies return to Elkmont June 4-12.

If you want to see a show while you’re in town that you can’t see anywhere else in this hemisphere, then you should see the synchronized fireflies in Elkmont. It’s simply an amazing experience that lasts for about one week out of the year (around the second week of June… 4-12 this year). These lil’ critters fire up around 9:30 p.m. and start a show that can only be seen in Gatlinburg and Southeast Asia (who knew we had something in common!). They start flashing random at first and then all of a sudden they start blinking together in bursts that last up to six seconds! It has become more and more popular in the last few years, so the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has imposed some rules if you want to see the show. Our sister site, Inside Gatlinburg, has the scoop, so hop on over using the link below to get the details!

Synchronized Fireflies in Gatlinburg

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The Synchronized Fireflies in Gatlinburg

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Dollywood’s Barnstormer Thrill Ride

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Lumberjack Feud

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.

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Alternate Route To Dollywood: Veterans Blvd Road?

What is it?

Inside Pigeon Forge is giving away an entertainment package for Pigeon Forge that will keep you and your family laughing, smiling, clapping, mystified, fed, and more! The package includes comedy, music, magic, theater, gospel, and food that will appeal to all ages. This is tickets to not just one show, two shows, or three shows…no, we’re going the extra mile to make sure your entire family of four is entertained by giving you tickets to six shows!

4 tickets to 6 shows = 24 tickets total!

• Comedy Barn
• Black Bear Jamboree
• The Miracle Theater
• Magic Beyond Belief
• Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show
• Triumphant Southern Gospel Show

Total Value = $673.48!

How do I enter?

Inside Pigeon Forge has launched a brand new forum for users to discuss anything about Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg or Sevierville while getting feedback from “insiders” who live & work in the area. We’re so excited about the opportunity to provide visitors an “inside look” into our cities and we want to show our enthusiasm by giving away a vacation package to someone who shares the same enthusiasm about the town we love.

• Step 1:
  Register in the new Insider forums by clicking the link below
  (if you’re already registered, skip to Step 2)
  http://www.insidepigeonforge.com/forums/register.php

• Step 2:
  Find the topic named “Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway”
  in Pigeon Forge General Discussion.
  http://www.insidepigeonforge.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9#post9

• Step 3:
  Post a reply in that topic and tell everyone “Your Best Tip for Visiting Pigeon Forge.” Be as creative and detailed as you want! It’s your chance to share your favorite thing to do, place to stay, restaurant to eat at, waiter to ask for etc. Have fun with it! You can post as many tips as you want and each tip will count as an entry, but only the best tip will win the giveaway. The main requirement is that your tip is a reply to the main thread rather than posted somewhere else in the forum. Only replies to that thread will be counted as entries. If two posts are similar, we’ll be accepting the first one or the one that is the most detailed/helpful…so it definitely pays to act fast and provide great tips

The insiders will then choose one of the posts and award the author the Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway package. It really is that simple! There is nothing to buy, no lengthy sales pitches, etc. All that you have to do is share “Your Best Tip for Visiting Pigeon Forge” and you’re entered into the giveaway!

We’ll only be accepting entries until July 31, so hurry and beat the crowd!

Good luck and welcome to Inside Pigeon Forge!

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Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway