Mountain Valley Winery

Mountain Valley Winery in Pigeon Forge offers Some of the region’s best locally-produced wine made from the best regional grapes.

Mountain Valley Winery in Pigeon Forge is a great little spot to taste and purchase some of the area’s finest in wine offerings right on the parkway. It’s also a member of the growing Rocky Top Wine Trail which has expanded to include a winery in Kodak, TN, a few Sevierville wineries, itself, and a winery in Gatlinburg. To say that the region is learning how to grow grapes would be an understatement.

Like other wineries in the area, Mountain Valley urges people to stop by their facility, learn about their wine-making processes, and taste the literal fruits of their labor during the winery’s free daily tastings.

In all, Mountain Valley Winery produces more than a dozen wines. And for all you lovers of all things local, each one is made from locally grown grapes. That’s right, there are a number of vineyards in East Tennessee. You’ll find dry wines, semi-sweet wines and dessert wines along their list.

Since 1991, Mountain Valley Winery has been producing many popular award-winning varieties. Their focus has been on French and German style wines as well as sweet, fruit wines. A few of their offerings include:

Dry Wines

  • Tennessee Special: Made in small batches and grown in East Tennessee.
  • Chardonnay: A white dinner wine aged in oak which makes it a very complex wine.
  • Cynthiana (a.k.a. Norton): Spicy and vivacious, pair this wine with zesty foods.

Semi Sweet Wines

  • Gewurztraminer: A German style wine great on its own or with fruit and cheese.
  • Mountain Valley Blush: This wine goes with anything, anywhere and is made from a blend of different grapes.

Sweet Wines

  • Mountain Valley Red: Produced using Concord and other native American grapes.
  • Mountain Berry: A Concord and Raspberry blend.
  • Blackberry: You’ll know how this sweet wine got its name once you taste it.
  • Mountain Peach: If you like fresh peaches, you’ll love this wine.

The month of October is actually the perfect time to come by and visit Mountain Valley Winery in Pigeon Forge. From September to October, guests can come and watch the wine-making process as workers bottle wine and crush grapes during these two months.

In addition to their various wines, the Mountain Valley Winery gift shop sells Tennessee farm products. Visitors can find some of the best regional cheese in the Mountain Valley gift shop.

Mountain Valley Winery
2174 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 453-6334

Smith Family Dinner Theater

The Smith Family Dinner Theater in Pigeon Forge is fun for the whole family – music, comedy, impersonations, and all to some good southern cooking.

Over the years The Smith Family Dinner Show has received numerous accolades and been hailed countless times as one of the best shows in the Smokies…. And it doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

Anyone who enjoys classic country music, and inspirational gospel quartet style music will love the Smith Family Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN. But it’s not just their musical numbers they’re known for, the theater has expanded its offerings over the years to include a clean family comedy portion of the show, Hollywood impersonations, a tribute to the “Andy Griffith Show”, and currently they’re featuring the new Hazzard County Hoedown Dinner Show. Come eat an hour before the show starts and have a great night in Pigeon Forge!

Now you wondering if you just heard the words “dinner show.” You did. The Smith Family Dinner Theater is well known for their all-you-can-eat southern dinner buffet. Sit back, relax, eat, and be entertained. What more can you ask for?

So who’s the inspiration for this simple premise and that turned into a rousing success? None other than Charlie, Jim, and Charlie Bob Smith, who also double as part of the show.

A few of the more popular shows at the Smith Family Theater include the Back to the 50’s and Beyond Show featuring 50’s, 60’s, 70’s & 80’s hits from such movies as Grease and Footloose, a patriotic performance and an Elvis tribute. Enjoy classic hits from the King of rock and roll such as Blue Suede Shoes, Peggy Sue, Jailhouse Rock and many more. Evening shows feature an all-you-can-eat Smoky Mountain BBQ buffet.

You’ll also find the only “Character Breakfast” in the Smoky Mountains at the Smith Family Dinner Theater. Dig in to a tasty breakfast for only $4.99 featuring such morning favorites as eggs, bacon, sausage, hash brown rounds, grits, biscuits & gravy, and all served buffet style. That’s in addition to our new “Made to Order” omelets and pancakes. All the while you will be greeted by your favorite characters like Davy Crockett and Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. It’s fun for the whole family, and grandparents love it too! You’ll new characters no matter how many times you visit.

Located at 2330 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, the Character Breakfast is open from 7:30 to 11:30 am, 7 days a week. Children 3 years of age and under eat FREE. For additional information on the breakfast or dinner shows, call toll free at 866-399-8100 or local at 865-429-8100. You may also visit www.smithfamilytheater.com.

Memories Theater Re-Opens at Original Site

Memories Theater Re-Opens at Original Site on the Parkway next to Country Tonite Theatre.

The Memories Theatre in Pigeon Forge is starting over right where it began. In fact, it’s the place where most remember the Memories Theatre for over two decades.

After closing the original venue when The Titanic Attraction was looking to expand, Memories Theatre owners announced recently that they were moving back to their original location (140 Showplace Blvd) when those plans were scraped.

According to Memories Theatre owner Dee Gallon, the theatre is building itself back up again.

“It was totally gutted,” Gallon said. “We had nothing, and even more to our surprise when we came in nothing that was left could be used. It all had to be discarded and start over again.”

Everything from the stage to the seats were replaced before re-opening Thursday for their first performance in their sort-of-new place. Although, just because they’re in new digs, doesn’t mean everything is new. Many of the same performers people have come to know and love are back, including Elvis. I mean, what would a show at the Memories Theatre be without Elvis?

The second half of Memories’ show Elvis and Friends features one of the biggest stars in the Smokies: Lou Vuto as Elvis. Lou has been performing in Pigeon Forge for more then 15 years, and most of that time has been spent at the Memories Theater. Lou brings the King back to life atwith each and every performance. From the first note, Lou captures the warmth, power and charisma that was the King of Rock and Roll all the way down to the soles of his platform boots. The audience gets to take in the hours of research that Lou has put in learning about Elvis’ habits on stage. He has studied the movements and vocalizations of Elvis Presley to the point that he can reproduce them to the delight of Elvis fans from all over the world.

Meanwhile, the Friends section of the show first also remains the same. During the first half of the show, celebrity tribute artists from all over the country take the stage to entertain visitors. From Conway Twitty and the other Outlaws of Country Music to the Blues Brothers, the celebrity tribute artists that take the stage throughout the season are remarkable and give you the ability to see some artists that have passed on and some that you wouldn’t get to see in this more intimate setting. Can you imagine seeing Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw on the same stage… you still can at Memories!

Additionally, owners with the Memories Theatre signed a lease that should keep them in their new location, which seats 500 guests, just off the Parkway for the next 16 years. If you look at things in a landmark sort of way, that means they should be right beside Country Tonight Theatre for these next 16 years.

Call toll free for reservations:
1-800-325-3078 or (865) 428-7852

Pigeon Forge Parks

Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Park and the upcoming Wear Farm City Park give its residents two large outdoor venues for festivals, sports, and gatherings.

With so much focus put into the town’s tourism efforts each year, one has to wonder whether or not Pigeon Forge spends enough time addressing the needs of the town’s year-round residents. It’s with a hearty “Yes” that we can answer that question. One example is the town’s parks and recreations department and facilities that they oversee.

Patriot Park has long been Pigeon Forge’s main residential draw as a community gathering place and festival grounds for such events as the annual Patriot Festival every Fourth of July. With the completion of the new LeConte Center in 2013, Pigeon Forge is set to open a brand new park called Wear Farm City Park. More on the new Wear Farm City Park in a moment….

Located in Old Mill Square and adjacent to the Old Mill, Patriot Park is dedicated to all veterans from Sevier County that served in the military during wartime. The park features a walking track, which takes walkers and joggers along the Little Pigeon River.  You’ll also see flags from all 50 states and from each branch of the military along the track. One of the nicest parts of the park is at its central point where a Patriot missile is mounted in a glass structure much like a greenhouse.  Park-goers will recognize the Patriot missile – made famous during the first Gulf War, as well as a replica model of the Liberty Bell, which is also found at the park.

As previously mentioned, Patriot Park’s large open spaces are perfect for festivals and large gatherings. People can reserve a pavilion with 14 picnic tables and four electrical outlets by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 865-429-7373. A large gazebo can also be reserved that overlooks the Little Pigeon River.

The yet-to-be-completed Wear Farm City Park, located at 647 Wears Valley Road, will be a 118 acre multi-use park and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2013. Which means, Pigeon Forge is hopeful to start scheduling summer sporting events and well be available to large groups by then. As part of the park’s first 40 acre phase, five lighted baseball diamonds, a lighted football field, one multi-purpose field, two full playgrounds, three pavilions, a basketball court, walking trails, and concession stands are scheduled for construction.

Pigeon Forge also features an 86,000 square foot community center that includes basketball and racquetball courts as well as a 5,000 square foot fitness center and indoor jogging circuit. Guests can swim at the center’s indoor and outdoor pool, and bowl. Childcare is available for guests of the Pigeon Forge Community Center (170 Community Center Drive).

Bullfish Grill

Bullfish Grill in Pigeon Forge features the freshest catch in the Smokies as well as its champion Angus beef. Come by for lunch, dinner, or desert.

It really does take a bit of effort to miss the Bullfish Grill in Pigeon Forge. By that, we mean it’s hard to look past a restaurant located right on the Parkway with a giant bull statue standing just outside its entrance…. With a large fish in its mouth. Quite a sight whether you’re just passing by, or pulling into the parking lot.

However, if you do decide to pull in and grab a bite from Bullfish’s expansive menu, you won’t be disappointed. Bullfish prides itself on its Grand Champion Angus Beef and daily, fresh catch seafood offerings, as well as their burgeoning catering business.

One look at the lunch menu and the meatloaf stack and trout almondine immediately jump off the page at you. Meatloaf stacked beside white cheddar mashed potatoes and covered in wild mushroom gravy define the first offering, while trout almondine consists of fresh rainbow trout, breaded, and topped with almonds and lemon butter sauce. Better keep a napkin handy because the menu gets even tastier for dinner. Of course, there are many other items on the lunch menu including various salads and sandwiches, but why note all the things served for lunch at most restaurants?

On to the dinner menu, which includes starters, or small plates, of fried green tomatoes, ahi tuna wonton stack, scallops, and oysters bienville. The list of steak and chop varieties is noteworthy, especially considering the filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip, and pork chop dinners. Fresh grilled catch include seafood like Atlantic salmon, tilapia, jumbo gulf shrimp, ahi tuna, mahi mahi, rainbow trout, swordfish, and barramundi. Low country shrimp and grits and pan-seared crab cake highlight the signature dish portion of the dinner menu.

Our favorite part of Bullfish’s scrumptious dinner menu is the desert portion in which three offerings stand out – the chocolate dream, the two-layer key lime pie, and the funnel cake apple stack. The chocolate dream consists of two layers of dark chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse center, covered in warm chocolate sauce…. Almost makes you melt just reading it. The two-layer key lime pie is one layer of key lime pie topped with another layer of key lime cream cheese. The funnel cake apple stack meanwhile, is a funnel cake with baked apples poured on top, vanilla ice cream, and caramel sauce topping it all off. We don’t blame you if you decide to stop reading and head out to Bullfish right now.

Though if you want to keep going, here’s a quick look at a few weekly specials. Happy hour runs during the week from 3-6 pm and features $3 appetizers and half off glasses of wine and draft beer. Sunday brunch is offered and you can view the menu here. And Thursdays also mean half price all wine .

If you’re still reading, we’re sure that you’re making plans to come dine at Bullfish today, or sometime soon. It’s a taste experience not found many places int he Smokies.

Bullfish Grill
2441 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
37863

Country Tonite Theatre

The Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge features performances by some of the areas most talented artists as well as country music stars.

If you love concerts, especially those featuring country music artists, you might want to take in a show at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge sometime soon. The venue and its performers have taken home numerous awards over the years including a recent Reader’s Choice award for best show in the Smokies.

Country Tonite is a show for all ages in Pigeon Forge featuring production numbers you would regularly see at a major concert series or awards show. Country Tonite employs some of the best singers, dancers and musicians in the business. And it’s not just country artists either. Country Tonite now features hilarious comedy acts, is one of the only venues in the Smokies to feature youth performers, as well as gospel singers. Guests at a Country Tonite performance also get to witness a special patriotic salute to U.S. veterans  during the show.

Along with their “Best Show in the Smokies” notoriety, Country Tonite has also garnered recognition for “Best Live Country Show in America”, and “Country Music Show of the Year” from various outlets. Once you see a show, it’s pretty easy to see how they win all these awards.

The Country Tonite Theatre is located along the parkway in Pigeon Forge. In all, it’s a 1,500-seat multi-million dollar facility equipped with state-of the art sound and lighting, as well as two giant video screens.

The 2012 celebrity concert series features performances by such renowned artists as Merle Haggard, Aaron Tippin, Joe Diffie, Sammy Kershaw, Ronnie McDowell, T. Graham Brown, Jimmy Fortune, Mel Tillis, George Jones, Mickey Gilley, Don Williams and Ray Stevens.

The holiday season features an all new set of shows beginning November 1. Come see renditions of Christmas favorites combined with beautiful choreography, brightly decorated holiday sets and colorful costumes. Enjoy and sing along to a number of holiday classics that bring back memories of Christmases past. You’ll also be privy to some special guest performers during the Christmas season that don’t come around except for this time of year in Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, and everyone’s favorite ballerina in the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Concert-goers will notice as their favorite toys come alive to such holiday classics as “Where are you Christmas”. Bring the whole family to this magical Christmas presentation and set the mood for a wonderful holiday season at the Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge.

For a schedule of show times, visit the Country Tonite Theatre’s show page here.

Show times are subject to change and children 12 years of age and under are FREE with a paying adult.

Country Tonite Theatre
129 Showplace Blvd.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Toll Free: 1-800-792-4308
Local: 865-453-2003

Halloween activities in Pigeon Forge

There are a number of groups in town with Halloween festivities planned where kids can get candy and have fun in a safe environment.

Each year Pigeon Forge, as well as most Smoky Mountain towns, hold their share of haunted houses and corn mazes and attract quite a large Halloween following. So what about the smaller children in which Halloween really means a bit more? What are they to do when they aren’t quite old enough for haunted houses or haunted corn mazes? Well, Pigeon Forge has a few options this year that are sure to leave smiles on the youngest trick-or-treaters.

Halloween in Pigeon Forge is actually aimed more at the younger crowd than Gatlinburg. Whereas Gatlinburg features a number of haunted houses and attractions, Pigeon Forge counters with a number of festivals and community events. With the backdrop of the beautiful Smoky Mountain fall foliage, it’s also a great time to get reacquainted with all that Pigeon Forge has to offer. Throughout October, Pigeon Forge will be adorned to the nines in fall decor as part of the town’s Harvest Celebration which also features numerous craft shows, a decorating contest and other special events. It really sets the mood for some fun trick or treating at the end of the month.

Speaking of Halloween activities, Pigeon Forge prides itself on its family friendly, safe atmosphere. First, stop by the Belz Annual Pigeon Forge Halloween Egg Hunt, held on October 28th. The festivities for the Halloween Egg Hunt begin at 6pm. For additional information on this event, call Belz in Pigeon Forge at (865) 453-7316.

Pigeon Forge’s community Halloween celebration is held every year by the City of Pigeon Forge. The town’s Department of Parks and Recreation hosts a trick-or-treat bash every year in order to encourage a safe Pigeon Forge Halloween for everyone. The 11th Annual Safe Halloween in Pigeon Forge Celebration is scheduled for Thursday, October 25, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. Children and their families can come by for games, participate in a costume contest, visit a Not-So-Haunted House, go on a hayride, listen to live entertainment, and of course get lots of CANDY!

Candy will be given out by local businesses in the gym of the Pigeon Forge Community Center as well as other treats from their decorated tables and booths. For more information call (865) 429-7373.

Many other churches and schools in the area will also be doing their own Halloween-styled celebration and we would love to hear from you if you have a Halloween event you’d like advertised. Our first happens to be some of our neighbors in Seymour, TN who will be hold a Harvest Festival at the First Baptist Church on Oct. 31. at 6 pm. Open to the public. Come for games, candy, and inflatable attractions for the kids.

We hope everyone has a fun, happy, and safe Halloween this year!

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving

Looking to skydive without having to do it from a plane? Try Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Pigeon Forge and experience the thrill indoors.

So you’ve always wanted to go skydiving, but you’re not too keen about jumping out of a plane at an altitude that takes way too long to count up to? Well, you’re in luck if you’ve decided to come down to Pigeon Forge for the day. Flyaway Indoor Skydiving takes the enormous heights out of the equation and lets you experience the thrill of the dive indoors.

Here, you’ll experience the feel of skydiving in a 21 foot tall vertical wind tunnel with 120 mph winds. Each participant receives approximately 3 minutes of free-fall time.

There are a few things you must do in order to take advantage of the skydive simulator at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Pigeon Forge, TN. Come by in whatever you’re comfortable in, you’ll be given a flight suit, goggles, earplugs, gloves and helmet. If you need close-toed shoes, Flyaway has some you can borrow. You’ll start out with a 20-minute training session to get you fully educated on the experience and so you’ll know what to expect. That session is followed by a 15 minute term of equipment prep and dress.

Persons eligible to participate include just about anyone. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied in class by a parent or guardian over 21 years of age. Children must weigh over 40 pounds. You should be in good physical condition and meet height and weight guidelines. To participate, as a rule of thumb for men, maximum weight for 6 foot and taller is 230 pounds, for men. For women, maximum weight for 6 foot and taller is 200 pounds.

If you’re a skydiver looking to make your first solo jump, Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Pigeon Forge is an excellent way to practice free-falling.

First Flight – $34.00
3 min per person

Repeat Flight – $22.00
3 min per person

Family Block – $155.00
15 minute session
Up to 5 flyers
Free DVD service

Book of Five – $110.00
Five 3 min flights for 1 person

DVD Service – $16.00

Prices DO NOT include tax

Check out the latest coupons and discounts at Flyaway’s special page – coupons.

Call 1.877.293.0639 for information on group reservations or facility rental.

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving
3106 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
37863

The Best Places to Shop in Pigeon Forge

Discover the best places to shop in Pigeon Forge, TN and get some great shopping tips and advice to get the best deals, discounts, coupons, where to go and when to be there! Shopping in Pigeon Forge starts here!

Pigeon Forge, TN has become the place to shop, especially when you’re talking outlet mall shopping, in the southeast over the past couple of decades. Gatlinburg’s local craft shops lured visitors in years ago and still do today, but as the years went on, more and more stores began popping up and Pigeon Forge saw its first large outlet mall. Locals refer to that once bustling space as the “Red Roof Mall”. Malls like the Belz Factory Outlet Mall would open in later years. Still, there are quite a few smaller stores that carry unique items. Walden’s Landing and The Christmas Place are just a few of the newer shopping opportunities in Pigeon Forge. Again, they cater to people looking for the higher-end retail items like art, sculptures, and various holiday decor.

Outlet malls still remain the popular choice today among people coming into the area from out of town. Outlet shopping in Pigeon Forge, especially Black Friday shopping, has become a yearly event over at Tanger Five Oaks Mall in Sevierville (about 1/4 mile from the Pigeon Forge City limit). While Tanger is not “technically” in Pigeon Forge, their Five Oaks outlet offers the highest quality name brand shopping. Some of the stores you’ll find at Tanger Five Oaks are:

  • Coach
  • Old Navy
  • Gap
  • Banana Republic
  • Carter’s
  • Children’s Place
  • Polo Ralph Lauren
  • J. Crew
  • Strasburg Children
  • Nautica
  • Under Armour
  • Bath & Body Works
  • Disney
  • Starbucks
  • Nike

There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, and even a brand new Joes’ Crab Shack to calm your appetite. You could literally spend all day here…and many do!

If you decide to go shopping at Five Oaks Mall in Sevierville, TN, browse through the following tips. They will make your shopping trip that much more enjoyable.

  • GO EARLY – Okay, this is probably a no-brainer, but if you’re going on a weekend then you better plan on arriving before the mall opens (9am on Saturdays and 10am on Sundays). The parking lots fill up quickly and it soon turns into a game of musical chairs trying to find someone leaving. The best area to be in (if you plan on hitting most of the stores) is around The Chop House. This way you can shop at the store in the front of your mall and drop of your bags as you make your way to the back of the mall.
  • Shopping Coupons and Discounts – As soon as you get out of your car, head over to one of the mall offices to grab a coupon book. This will potentially save you a ton of money.
  • Have some kind of a plan – Don’t just wander around aimlessly. Know what stores are available before you go by visiting The Five Oaks Directory to see the full list of stores and even download a printable map with store locations and phone numbers!
  • Dress Smart – I’ve seen too many people complain about their feet or that they’re hot or cold. This is an outdoor strip mall that requires a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. It could be hot, cold, wet, or dry…be prepared! You’ll enjoy shopping much more when your “dogs aren’t barking” (That’s southern for “my feet hurt!”)
  • Fun for the Spouse and Kids – If your husband and children need something to do then they will love the Ripley’s Old McDonald Miniature Golf & Arcade! The NASCAR Speedpark is also within walking distance and provides enough fun for the entire day…you’ll probably be ready to go before they will be!
  • Ask About Return Policies – Some outlet store purchases cannot be returned to their “normal” stores you may find in another town. Be sure to ask where you are allowed to return or exchange your purchases.
  • The Tanger Guarantee – Any purchase made at Five Oaks is apparently guaranteed in price for 30 days after your purchase. If you find it advertised cheaper somewhere else, then bring the advertisement in with your receipt to the mall office and they will refund you the difference!

If you follow just one of those tips, you’ll have a better time than most. There are lots of bargains and a lot of stores…don’t get overwhelmed and pack a TON of patience. The parking, lines, and waits to eat can be a pain at times… but such is the price apparently for a great pair of shoes!

Map to Five Oaks Mall in Sevierville, TN

View Larger Map

Address:
1645 Parkway, Suite 960
Sevierville, TN 37863
Phone: (865) 453-1053
Fax: (865) 429-8626

Regular Hours:
Monday – Saturday
9:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday
10:00am – 7:00pm

The LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge

The new Leconte Center in Pigeon Forge is scheduled for completion a year from now and has already secured 4 large bookings.

 

Artist’s rendering of the new LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge.

With it’s scheduled completion date approximately a year from now, the new $45 million LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge is not waiting for its doors to open to begin making its mark in Pigeon Forge. So far, the yet-to-be-completed structure has booked four large events that are sure bring the tourism dollars Pigeon Forge and other Smoky Mountain area towns thrive on.

Its fourth major booking – The National Quartet Convention, has already brought numerous event-goers to other major markets in the United States and looks to do the same for Pigeon Forge. In all, the National Quartet Convention has committed the dates of September 21-28, 2014, and September 27-October 4, 2015.

As far as southern gospel music goes, the National Quartet Convention is a major event. An estimated 40,000 people from 40 states and several countries attended their event in Louisville, KY in 2012.

“This is great for Pigeon Forge. The National Quartet Convention represents a huge volume of room nights and restaurant business,” said Phil Campbell, president of the Pigeon Forge Hospitality Association.

“The NQC is another great example of what the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge means to the local economy,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.  “One thing that really impressed the NQC staff was how quickly and effectively the Pigeon Forge Hospitality Association reacted to the prospect of the convention’s coming to Pigeon Forge. That interest really helped NQC decide on Pigeon Forge.”

In addition to all of the above, Pigeon Forge’s numerous lodging opportunities, a family atmosphere and the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park all contributed to the selection of Pigeon Forge, according to Clarke Beasley, executive vice president of the National Quartet Convention.

With a September 2013 opening date, construction at the LeConte Center site has been moving at a rapid pace. Groundbreaking commenced in October 2011.

The center’s eye-catcher is a 100,000-square-foot, clear-span hall. The design and the hall’s amenities were exactly what Pigeon Forge was looking for in a building needed to bring in trade shows, sporting events, festivals and large assemblies like the National Quartet Convention.

Things will get started rather quickly upon completion of the structure with the International Gift Exposition in the Smokies/Souvenir Super Show in November 2013 – the center’s first booking. The Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association secured the center’s second and third bookings. They are expected to bring large conferences in December of 2013 and January 2014.

The National Quartet Convention was founded in 1957 by JD Sumner, a legend in the gospel world and former backup singer for Elvis Presley, and co-produced with James Blackwood.

Among their 2012 National Quartet Convention event performers are the Gaither Vocal Band, the Hoppers, the Kingdom Heirs, Gold City, Greater Vision, the Booth Brothers, Legacy Five, Triumphant Quartet and the Isaacs.