Dollywood’s KidsFest

Dollywood’s KidsFest is packed with great shows to get kids laughing, learning and having a great time at Dollywood. It’s a fun for all ages show.

It seems like Dollywood is consistently making itself over each year with a new show, roller coaster, addition to Splash Country, what have you. They really like to keep things fun, fresh, and kid-minded around there. With that in mind, every year the park turns its spotlight on its most valued customers with the annual KidsFest (June 22 – July 29) at Dollywood.

Blowing bubbles takes on a whole new meaning with The Gazillion Bubbles Show that will be a part of KidsFest throughout 2012 season. They’re not just for birthday parties and wedding receptions. This interactive show will present eye-popping displays filled with lasers, spectacular lighting effects, and jaw-dropping masterpieces of bubble artistry.

Appearing on Dollywood’s Showstreet, The Gazillion Bubbles Show has been seen on every major television network and several cable news shows. This summer, you can see it at Dollywood six days a week. No shows on Monday.

Also headling this year’s KidFest will be Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience – a brand new show featuring the acrobatics of man’s best friend. Watch your head for the flying dogs as a dozen of America’s most talented canines defy gravity and perform incredible jumps, tricks and stunts as seen on such popular shows as the Oprah Winfrey show, Nickelodeon and Animal Planet.

This summer, Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse will feature the Penguin Players (June 15 – August 5). This talented group of actors and actresses will bring three popular kids stories to life onstage at Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse. These musicals last about 20 minutes and are filled with songs you can sing to, including some written by Dolly herself!

The first story is a classic that most of us have heard and some even grew up on – The Little Engine That Could. This determined Little Engine triumphantly pulls a train full of toys to the waiting children on the other side of a mountain, and all despite lacking in size than most trains. Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad is a tale about Lulu, a little girl who loves to dress up in her ladybug costume and use her imagination to turn every moment into an adventure. The final play, Otis, centers around a tractor who roams the fields after a hard day’s work and plays in the haystacks, but it’s his determination that shows there’s a place for everyone.

No matter what age you are, you sure to have a great at this summer’s Dollywood KidsFest. Bring a friend or 10 and get ready for fun times, laughs, and the best that Dollywood has to offer.

Huck Finn’s Catfish

Huck Finn’s Catfish is one of Pigeon Forge’s most popular restaurants specializing in catfish as well as southern fried chicken – all-you-can-eat.

If you’re heading to Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge don’t be surprised if you do a double-take to your right on the way there. That’s right, that was a huge catfish you saw. Around here, it’s Huck Finn’s Catfish restaurant’s calling card. But don’t just keep going, stop in and grab a bite to eat. This is one of the best restaurants in Pigeon Forge, no less the Smoky Mountains. Their menu consists of everything from catfish to country cooking you grew up on. Their service is second to none in the area and they feature live music almost every night. Huck Finn’s will have you coming back for more and bringing your friends with you.

Obviously, when you’ve got catfish in your name, you’re specialty is catfish. Or at least it better be. Whether you want it fried, golden-brown and served in fillets or whole fish, Huck Finn’s has mastered catfish cooking. They bring in the best catfish from farms in Mississippi. You won’t find any puny or under-prepared catfish here.

So you’re looking for something other than the usual? Place an order for fried chicken. It’s so crispy my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Can’t decide between the two? Try the catfish and the fried chicken. At Huck Finn’s Catfish, it’s all-you-can-eat so, they’ll keep serving it up if you keep asking for it. And be sure to at least take a glance at the menu, there are many more seafood choices that you might want to try next time.

Each meal comes with a family-sized portion of sides. You could fill up on the vittles alone, though I wouldn’t suggest it. The catfish and chicken are just too good. Tempting though, especially when your server brings out hushpuppies, cole slaw, white beans & ham, onion and pickles. This is also all-you-can-eat, so don’t worry about taking too much. Ask for as much as you like. In our opinion, you can’t ever have too many hushpuppies.

Huck Finn’s Catfish isn’t a Johnny-come-lately establishment, it’s become a Smoky Mountain destination over the years. Part of the reason they’ve been so successful for such a long time are their knowledgeable and hard-working servers. Huck Finn’s wait staff works really well together- most are from the area and truly enjoy their job. Not only is the food prepared quickly, but exactly to your order and drink refills are prompt as well as the all-you-can-eat sides, catfish, and chicken. On top of that, live music on the stage almost every night makes Huck Finn’s a pretty happening place even during the week. It’s easy to see why they’ve been around for so long.

Got a craving for some of the best seafood and country cooking in Pigeon Forge? Huck Finn’s is the answer. Looking for a great all-you-can-eat restaurant specializing in southern foods like catfish and fried chicken: stop by Huck Finn’s, you won’t be disappointed. Looking for live entertainment any day of the week to go along with a great staff? Check. Huck Finn’s has what you’re looking for. Whether you’re coming through Pigeon Forge on vacation, or just enjoying a night out on the town, make Huck Finn’s Catfish Restaurant a destination and enjoy their local culinary delights.

Huck Finn’s Catfish
3330 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-429-3353
www.huckfinnsrestaurant.com

The Synchronized Fireflies in Gatlinburg

Synchronized Fireflies return to Gatlinburg June 4 – 12

070910etp-fireflies_t607 — 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

Welcome to Inside Pigeon Forge

Inside Pigeon Forge is dedicated to providing information on everything that Pigeon Forge has to offer…from an insider’s perspective.

Inside Pigeon Forge is dedicated to providing information on everything that Pigeon Forge has to offer…from an insider’s perspective. “The Insider” is a native to Pigeon Forge with family that dates back in the area to the 1800’s. Over the years, The Insider has seen Pigeon Forge, TN grow from a farm town in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains to a booming tourist attraction that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

The years have provided The Insider with a lot of tips & tricks that make Pigeon Forge much more enjoyable, which will be made available here to showcase the best places to stay, eat, and see while you’re visiting Pigeon Forge. Whether you’re looking for log cabin rentals, chalets, restaurants, entertainment, etc Inside Pigeon Forge will provide you with every bit of information you need to enjoy your vacation. The Insider even knows many ways to avoid the traffic jams in Pigeon Forge…you don’t want to miss that!

So stay tuned to Inside Pigeon Forge as reviews and tips will constantly be posted to ensure that your vacation in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is the best that it can possibly be!

Taking a Gatlinburg Vacation? Get Tips on InsideGatlinburg.com

Planning a winter getaway to Gatlinburg? We’ll we’ve got just site to help you with your stay, what to do once you get there, as well as coupons and discounts available for area attractions.

Our brother website, Inside Gatlinburg, features reviews, tips, discounts, and other information about Gatlinburg, TN. You’ll find articles featuring some great tips for planning a fall visit to catch the leaves in their peak color, or a winter trip to ski at Ober Gatlinburg. If you plan to visit Gatlinburg or The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, be sure to check out the site for the latest tips to make your vacation even better!

“Saddle-Up!” Western Festival Gears Up for 12th Annual Pigeon Forge Event

Annual event has been listed in American Cowboy Magazine’s list of the “Top 101 Western Events.”

In what has become a staple of Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest (Feb. 23-26), 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.

Saddle-Cats — The Saddle Cats are back for another go-round at Pigeon Forge’s 12th Annual Saddle-Up festival.

“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.”

Schedule

Wednesday February 22

10AM-Noon: Dutch Oven Cornbread Sampling
Kent Rollins
Old Mill Square
Free

Thursday February 23

6PM: Intimate Evening Concerts
R.W. Hampton: Partridge & Pear: $50
Stephanie Davis: Mama’s Farmhouse: $40

Friday February 24

10AM: “Stories & Strings” : Smoky Mountain Guitar Shop

Bobby Black
Richard Chon
Stephanie Davis
Ray Doyle
T. Scot Wilburn
David Wilkie
Keri Lynn Zwicker

“Stories & Strings”: $15 includes Chuckwagon sampling

3PM: Concert: Tennessee Shindig Theatre: $15

Andy Nelson
Ray Doyle
Cowboy Celtic
Chuck Pyle
Saddle Cats

7PM: Concert: Tennessee Shindig Theatre: $15

Andy Nelson
Cal Farley Youth Performer
Kent Rollins
Saddle Cats
R.W. Hampton
Stephanie Davis

Saturday February 25

9AM-2PM: Buckaroo Round Up!: Clabough’s Campground:
FREE: Mechanical bull rides and other activities for the whole family
Tickets for Chuckwagon Cookoff lunch: $10

10:30AM: Entertainment Food Tent: FREE

Andy Nelson
Cal Farley Youth Performer
Ray Doyle
Chuck Pyle

Open mic for cowboy poets

6PM: Concert Tennessee Shindig Theatre: $15

Andy Nelson
Chuck Pyle
Stephanie Davis
Cowboy Celtic
R.W. Hampton

8:30PM: Cowboy Dance: Spirit of the Smokies Condo Lodge Ballroom: Featuring Stephanie Davis and the Roadrunners and special guests: $5

Sunday February 26

8:30AM: Chuckwagon Breakfast at Stages West: $5

10AM: Cowboy Church at Stages West

R.W. Hampton
Andy Nelson
Cal Farley’s Performer
And others

Pigeon Forge Christmas Lights 2011 (photos)

Photos of the Christmas lights around Pigeon Forge, Tn in 2011.

Winterfest in Pigeon Forge is lit by millions of Christmas lights. From the lights that the city supplies along the roadways and in Patriot Park to the lights that the businesses decorate their exteriors with, the Christmas lights will make put you right in the Christmas spirit.

Pigeon Forge 2012 Calendar of Events

Take a look at what there is to do in Pigeon Forge in 2012.

January

Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights (Jan. 1-13) – Fun Time Trolley Station at Patriot Park. Tours start at 6:30 PM and run Monday – Friday only, costs $5 per person. (865) 453-6444

22nd Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week™ (Jan. 7-14) – Pigeon Forge’s ultimate Smoky Mountain experience, this eight-day, award-winning event with over 200 classes, lectures, workshops and daily hikes into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (865) 453-8574

Titanic’s 2nd Annual Pigeon Forge Regional Ice Carving Competition (Jan. 14) – Titanic Museum Attraction 1-800-381-7670 or www.titanicpigeonforge.com

Behind the Scenes of James Cameron’s Titanic (Jan. 23 – Dec. 31) – Titanic Museum Attraction 1-800-381-7670 or www.titanicpigeonforge.com

February

12th Annual Saddle Up! (Feb. 23-26) – Our celebration of the American West features concerts by western musicians and cowboy poets, a chuckwagon cook-off, cowboy church, western swing dance and more. (865) 453-8574

March

17th Annual A Mountain Quiltfest (March 9-13) – This award-winning event preserves the timeless art of quilting with a quilt show, vendor mall and classes taught by top quilting instructors. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration begins December 2010. For information call 1-800-251-9100 or visit MountainQuiltfest.com

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations (March 24 – April 30) – Dollywood; for information call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com

April

Easter Egg Hunt (April 7) – Pigeon Forge Community Center. 1-865-429-7373

Easter Bunny Brunch (April 7) – Old Mill Square. 1-865-428-0771

Easter Bunny (April 7) – The Incredible Christmas Place. 1-865-453-0415

Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (April 7-8) – For information call Greg Ward at 865-661-3474 or visit smokymountaintrouttournament.com

Grand Spring Rod Run (April 12-15) – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center; for more information call 1-800-251-4444

3rd Annual “Rally in the Forge” Bikefest 2012 – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. 1-800-251-4444

May

11th Anniversary Yellow Mustangs Show (May 3 – 5) – Inn at Christmas Place; for more information call 1-888-465-9644

Southern Pedal Car Show (May 9-11) – Smoky Mountain Convention Center for more info call 1-800-223-6707

27th Annual Dolly Homecoming Parade (May 11) – Grand marshal Dolly Parton leads this parade, a spring tradition that features floats, entertainers, marching bands and more. 6 p.m. (865) 453-8574

Shrine FunFest Parade (May 12) – Pigeon Forge Parkway. Begins at 9am

34th Annual F-100 Supernationals & All Ford Show (May 17-19) – LMC Truck/SUV Parts and Accessories presents the 34th annual F-100 Supernationals and All Ford Show. Lots of great events at this 3-day-long car show including a meet and greet with Sam Memmolo “The Voice of the F-100 Supernationals” The event will take place in the City of Pigeon Forge Municipal Lot. (423) 623-4644, (423) 623-1871, or (423) 465-5855, www.f100supernationals.com

Chevy Classics Car Show – Inn at Christmas Place. 1-888-465-9644

Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass (May 26 – June 10) – For more info call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com

June

Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show (June 8-9) – Music Road Hotel & Convention Center. (865) 379-9595

All Chevy Supernationals (June 15-16) – LMC Truck/SUV Parts and Accessories presents the all new All Chevy Supernationals III at the Pigeon Forge City Municipal Parking Lot. (423) 623-4644, (423) 623-1871,or (423) 465-5855, www.autoshows.cc

Dollywood’s KidsFest (June 22 – July 29) – Dollywood, 1-800-DOLLYWOOD

July

22nd Annual Patriot Festival (July 4) – Patriot Park. Celebrate America’s independence with food, fun and entertainment. Games, concerts and fireworks round out this free event. (865) 4543-8574

Dollywood Nights (July 30 – Aug. 12) – Celebrate the end of summer at Dollywood with extended hours up until the start of school. 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or www.dollywood.com

August

Tax Free Weekend (Aug. 3-5) – Enjoy tax-free purchases on certain back to school items. Visit tn.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday

Stringtime in the Smokies (August 4) – Old Mill Square

3rd Annual Smoky Mountain Championship Cornhole Tournament (August 4) – Old Mill Square. (865) 428-0771

Pigeon Forge Midnight 8 K Road Race (August 4) – Pigeon Forge Parkway. (865) 607-8717 or www.ktc.org

September

Shades of the Past Rod Run XXX (September 7-8) – Dollywood’s Splash Country. (865) 995-2009 or www.shadesofthepast.com

Grand Fall Rod Run (September 15-17) – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. 1-800-251-4444

Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration (Sept. 28 – Oct. 29) – Dollywood. 1-800-DOLLYWOOD

9th Annual Old Mill Heritage Day (September 22) – Old Mill Square. (865) 428-0771 or visit oldmillsquare.com

Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (September 29-30) – (865) 661-3474 or visit smokymountaintrouttournament.com

Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Fair (Sept. 29 – Oct. 27) – Patriot Park for more info call 865-909-3446

October

17th Annual Harvestfest (October 1-31)

November

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (November 10 – December 30) – Dollywood. 1-800-DOLLYWOOD

23rd Annual Winterfest Kickoff (November 6) – Patriot Park.

Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights (November 6 – December 31) – Fun Time Trolley Station at Patriot Park. Tours start at 6:30PM and run Monday – Friday only, costs $5 per person. (865) 453-6444

Old Mill Square Annual Holiday Open House (November 10) – Old Mill Square. (865) 428-0771 or www.oldmillsquare.com

Turkey Strut Square & Round Dance Festival (November 16-17) – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. 1-800-251-4444

Pigeon Forge Community Chorus Holiday Concert (November 18) – For information call 1-800-251-9100 or visit mypigeonforge.com.

December

31st Annual New Year’s Eve Extravaganza (December 31) – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. 1-800-251-4444

New Year’s Eve Celebrations (December 31) – 1-800-251-9100 or (865) 453-8574

Lumberjack Feud

The Lumberjack Feud in Pigeon Forge, TN is the Smoky Mountain’s newest entertainment attraction. A live dinner show, the Lumberjack Feud is one of the first non-musical shows in Pigeon Forge in quite some time.

The Lumberjack Feud in Pigeon Forge, TN is the Smoky Mountain’s newest entertainment attraction. A live dinner show, the Lumberjack Feud is one of the first non-musical shows in Pigeon Forge in quite some time. The Lumberjack Feud is located right off the parkway between traffic lights 3 and 4 in a brand new state-of-the-art theater.

The theater itself is split between seats made for dinner and the show and seats that are specifically just for people coming to the show. One there your picture is snapped with your entire party and then you are escorted to your seats. The Lumberjack Feud cast actually helps seat the audience. There is also a concession stand for snacks if you choose just to watch the show.

Danny Black, the ‘world famous lumberjack of the Smokies’, is everyone’s tour guide tonight. Danny really moves the action along while hosting and makes sure everyone keeps up with the goings-on during the show. Black is also extraordinarily witty, a talented juggler and physical comedian to boot. Crowd interaction starts immediately as well as Black wastes no time getting everyone involved, with various people in the crowd being brought to the stage and incorporated in to the show.

You’re introduced to two Smoky Mountain logging families. The show starts off around the inception of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This is a time when logging in the Great Smoky Mountains is beginning to dwindle and the two families are coming to that realization. They can see that they are not going to be logging in the Smokies much longer so a competition is born to decide which family has the best lumberjacks and lumberjills in all the region.

The competition portion is just a treat if you’ve never been to a lumberjack tournament. These are professional lumberjacks that compete in traditional lumberjack sports including: the standing chop, log rolling, cross-cut saw pull, among others. The hot saw is a crowd favorite, and a loud one at that. The saws are ripped, engines warmed up and then they make two of the fastest cuts you will ever see made outside a true lumber yard. Of course, a dinner show put together with lumberjack games isn’t exactly commonplace anyways. Pets even get in on the action with a series of dog games including a long jump into the pool that takes center stage.

The pool’s main attraction is the log rolling competition that ends the evening pitting family against family and determines the winner of the night’s show. You’ll cheer on your family (the audience is divided in two halves to cheer on the different families) as two of the lumberjacks take to the log and began to roll against one another. It’s a feet-flying, water-splashing good time as you wait for someone, anyone, to get put into the drink. It’s a best of three tries competition and the highlight of the show.

Next time you’re down this way, check out the Lumberjack Feud in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It’s spanking new, and completely different from any dinner show you’ve ever seen. It’s a top-notch facility; there’s a great cast and it’s something completely different from the traditional variety show that you’re used to hearing about in Pigeon Forge.

Pigeon Forge Restaurant Listing

Pigeon Forge is not only the shopping destination of the Smokies, it’s also the best place to get a meal at one of its many local eating establishments.

Listing of Pigeon Forge Restaurants

The Smoky Mountain town of Pigeon Forge not only entertains millions of visitors each year coming to see the area’s majestic beauty, the town also strives to meet its guest’s culinary needs with its numerous locally-owned Pigeon Forge restaurants. With so many visitors streaming into town each year, restaurants that reflect the essence of Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains are at a premium. With all the locally-owned fare available, Pigeon Forge has become a diner’s dream. From the home-spun flavors of the Old Mill to menus that combine Thai and Japanese flavors, the restaurant scene in Pigeon Forge is geared to the tourist but designed to make memories. And most are located right on the Parkway, or at least close enough where you can park and hit one of the town’s many restaurants between stops at the various outlet malls, or Dollywood.

The Old Mill Pottery House Café and Grille
175 Old Mill Ave
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

The Old Mill Restaurant
175 Old Mill Ave
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Taste of India
3220 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Kinkaku Japanese Steak House
3152 Parkway Suite 1
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Log Cabin Pancake House
4235 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

JT Hannah’s Kitchen
3214 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Smoky Mountain Brewery
2530 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Little Tokyo
2430 Teaster Lane Suite 212
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Huck Finns Catfish
3334 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Smokies Breakfast House
2751 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN

Fusion Café
2528 McGill Street
Pigeon Forge, TN

Alamo Steakhouse
3050 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Red Rooster Pancake House
3215 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Calhoun’s
2532 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN

Mel’s Diner
119 Wears Valley Rd
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Bennett’s Pit Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Happy Days Diner
2785 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN

Mama’s Farmhouse
208 Pickle Street
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Flapjack’s Pancake Cabin
2734 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

No Way Jose’s
104 Waldens Main St
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Smoky Mountain Pancake House
4050 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Pop’s Catfish & Seafood
3516 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN

Wood Grill Buffet
2301 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Taste of Tennessee
3353 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN

Reagan’s Broken Egg
3516 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863