Miracle Theater Responds to Kathy Griffin

The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN responds to Kathy Griffin’s Emmy acceptance speech in which she made remarks about Jesus Christ and the faith that The Miracle Theater shares.

The Miracle Theater Pigeon Forge TNYou may have already heard or read the comments made by Kathy Griffin during her Emmy acceptance speech in which she made some controversial remarks that caught the attention of Christians nationwide.

The Miracle Theater in the USA TodayNeedless to say, the comments stirred up numerous Christians to speak out and stand up for their beliefs. The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN took their voice to the next level and put a full-page ad in the USA Today on Monday, September 17. The ad will run once again on Friday, September 21. One thing that The Miracle Theater wants to make clear is that this is not an attack at Kathy Griffin. It is about standing on a national podium at a similar level that she had and making a statement to praise the very person and the faith that she denounced. You can click on the image to the left to see The Miracle Theater’s full-page article in the USA Today.

During her acceptance speech she proclaimed,

“A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award, I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. S**K it, Jesus. This award is my god now!”

The article in the USA Today reads:

Dear America,
We are the actors, singers, dancers, crew and managers of The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We are proud to stand on stage every night and use our God-given talents to portray the life and the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We, along with thousands of other Christians in the entertainment industry, know our talents do come from God, and we take offense when His name is battered and bruised by people through the media.

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was mocked and few stood up for Him. We at The Miracle Theater consider it an honor to stand for Jesus today. We may never win a national award. We may never be household names. We may never be seen in Hollywood. Although others may choose to use their national platform to slander our God, we are honored as professional entertainers to stand for Christ.

First of all, many will argue that she had the freedom of speech. True. This isn’t about that. The Miracle Theater is not seeking legal action against her nor are any Christian organizations, entertainers, or other people. She can say what she wants and legally get away with it. This isn’t about the law. It isn’t about people coming after her with pitchforks or even being angry at her. It’s about the faith she downgraded to being less worthy than an emmy trophy not letting her comment pass through the nation without sharing another point of view. They’re simply using their freedom of speech to share their message.

Second, people will complain about the cost of running the ad in a national magazine whereas the money could have been spent for “humanitarian” purposes. If The Miracle Theater could have made such a national proclamation as quickly for less money, I guarantee they would have! In order to get the Christian message out as quickly as possible, they chose the USA Today…at a price. This has stirred such conversation, though, that if one single person is brought to the salvation that The Miracle Theater shares, then it was worth it. Why? Because that’s priceless to Christians.

The Miracle Theater received numerous comments from Christians wanting to join the cause and stand up for their belief. In response to this, they have created a petition in which people can sign online.

Best Tips for Pigeon Forge Contest Ending Soon

The Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, July 31. If you haven’t registered in the forums and posted your best tip for visiting Pigeon Forge, TN then I suggest you jump in for your chance to win this incredible vacation package! The winner will receive 24 show tickets worth over $600…just for providing their best tips!

Even if you have already entered or do not even plan on entering, you should check out all of the amazing tips that have been posted…there are over 100 tips and people are still posting! People who have “been there, done that” in Pigeon Forge are providing extremely valuable info on what to do, where to stay, where to drive & park, etc! If there was one thing I would suggest someone do before visiting Pigeon Forge, TN it would be to read through this list of tips. These ideas will save you time, money, and headaches during your vacation…so invest a few minutes and you (and your family!) will be extremely pleased that you did!

Great Tips for Visiting Pigeon Forge TN

The Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway contest is fully underway and people are flooding the forums with tons of great tips and ideas for visiting Pigeon Forge! Here are a few highlights so far (in no particular order):

  • When we plan a Pigeon Forge vacation, we like to include all our family and friends. We rent the largest mountain cabin and everyone splits the cost; we usually spend $15 per night…that’s a great deal!
    Kelly Logan
  • We always go to Dollywood first thing. We have season passes, but if you don’t, the best bet is to go after 3:00pm. The next day is free! You can spend the first evening looking around, maybe take in a show or two, and plan your next day’s attack. It’s a great deal.
    BradMac
  • We like to visit the welcome center on the North end of town for all sorts of info. and they are super friendly and helpful. From there we choose where we will eat and if we will visit any shows.
    angelfire
  • The best way in from I 40E is to exit at Lenoir City and follow the signs. We use 321. Then we turn left onto what will become Wears Valley Road. The traffic is not a problem and the scenery is wonderful.
    Claudette
  • We come in from I75 S Get off on the Old Broadway exit. This is also 441 S. You will come into the north end of Pigeon Forge. Miss alot of traffic even on Friday.
    sissy
  • Dont get talked into the timeshares, hours away from your time there on vacation they say only 45 mins- but more like 3-4 hours!!!
    dandk1172
  • There are so many different (hiking) trails, with various difficulty levels. I recommend you go by the park Visitors Center and pick up a book that tells about all the trails so you can pick out the best one for you.
    lisa.hbgs
  • We drive up 441 from Georgia so we come across the mountain and over the years, I have learned to call the Park Service before hand to make sure the road is open. I also make sure to check the weather. Our weather is generally similiar, but the forethought to check the web prevents any surprises.
    LaVenia

As someone who grew up in Pigeon Forge, it’s amazing to see all of the things that people out-of-town know about this area! There are so many great ideas and tips contributed so far and I can’t wait to see what else other people come up with! Jump in the forums if you haven’t already to browse through the posts…then contribute a tip of your own to be entered into the contest!

Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway

Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway

 

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!

Total Value = $673.48!

Shows in Pigeon Forge, TN

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 going to the link below
    (if you’re already registered, skip to Step 2)
    http://insidepf.wpengine.com/forums/register.php
  • Step 2:
    Find the topic named “Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway”
    in Pigeon Forge General Discussion.
    http://insidepf.wpengine.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!

Johnny Carino’s Pigeon Forge Italian Grill

A Pigeon Forge Insider’s review of Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant in Pigeon Forge, TN. Get tips on how to save money and what to eat!

If you’re in the mood for a little Italian cuisine during your trip to Pigeon Forge, there’s good news! Johnny Carino’s Italian Grill is located on the north end of Pigeon Forge.

Carino’s Italian is known for their “country Italian” cuisine. Instead of white, fancy tablecloths, you’ll find wooden tables. People aren’t going to wear ties and you don’t have to worry about which fork to use. This way, Carino’s is a great fit for anyone! The dress is casual, so you don’t have to worry about dressing up!

Italian Cuisine

First up is the bread! When the waiter or waitress starts to pour the oil & herbs for dipping, you’re going to fall in love with the first course!

As for the meal, they are amazing portion sizes! You should definitely go when you’re really hungry, so you can enjoy your entire plate! Or, of course, you can always take your leftovers with you! Plus, the entrees are reasonably priced, especially for the portion sizes.

To see the menu, click here.

After the meal, you can’t go wrong with some of their signature desserts! They have a selection of personal sized sweets and desserts to share as well. To finish off your perfect Italian meal, try the Tiramisu or their Italian Chocolate Cake.

Johnny Carino’s Pigeon Forge is a great place for families, couples or large groups. We suggest giving them a call if you plan to visit with a large group, so they can reserve your tables before you arrive.

If you need your Italian fix while visiting Pigeon Forge, TN then we highly suggest Johnny Carino’s. It’s arguably the best option of Italian restaurants in Pigeon Forge.

Johnny Carino’s Italian Grill
2425 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
865-868-0790

Smoking Ban in Pigeon Forge TN

A statewide smoking ban in tn starting July 1, 2007 will affect all enclosed public areas, which means restaurants will no longer allow people to smoke inside. Some of the exceptions are:

  • Private Clubs
  • Bars that only allow 21 and over at all times
  • Accomodations (there will still be smoking rooms that you can stay in)
  • Tobacco stores
  • Businesses with less than 3 employees

Another exception is possibly any open-aired patios at restaurants. If you’re a smoker and plan on visiting Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, or any other city in Tennessee then you may want to find restaurants with outdoor seating. If it’s winter time…well, I guess you have to figure out how bad you need a puff!

Win Free Tickets to Shows in Pigeon Forge

If you plan on coming to Pigeon Forge any time soon and are wanting to see some shows, then you’ll want to get in on this! We’re about to announce a large giveaway of show tickets for various theaters in Pigeon Forge. Some theaters are even breakfast and dinner shows, so your food will be covered too! This package will definitely cover entertainment for a few days, so be ready to jump on this. We’ll be announcing the details very soon to our newsletter subscribers first, so join up if you haven’t already by using the sign-up box on the right of this page .

Here’s a hint to get your foot in the door first…register in our brand new Inside Pigeon Forge Forums. This will give you a head start in entering the contest (as well as more contests in the future). The Insider Forums will be home to a ton of inside information about Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville and we want to kick it off the right way by giving someone an entertainment package for their Pigeon Forge vacation. That person may as well be you!

*UPDATE*
The contest is now LIVE! Enter the Inside Pigeon Forge Getaway Giveaway!

Free Fun for Kids in Pigeon Forge

Discover all of the free things for kids to do in Pigeon Forge, TN and Gatlinburg, TN! Save money and still have fun on your family vacation!

So you you’ve loaded down the SUV, filled it up with gas, cruised into Pigeon Forge, paid for the accommodations, fed the family, and are wondering what in the world you’re going to do for fun the next few days while your funds start to disappear. Fortunately for you (if your kids are 11 & under) many shows are letting kids in for free and even eat for free as well! Here’s a rundown of the attractions that are helping families out:

The following Pigeon Forge shows let children 11 & under in for free!
(One child per paid adult)

If anyone knows of other attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN that children can get into for free, post them in the comments below!

Make Pigeon Forge Better

If you’ve been to Pigeon Forge recently and have heard someone mumble (or maybe you’ve said it yourself) “I’ll never come back…” then I’d like to offer a way for you to make Pigeon Forge the fun, southern destination it once was. To get to the solution, we need to look at some of the problems.

First off…the traffic. Yes, the traffic can get nasty…and when I say nasty, I mean a snail will most likely blow by you as you inch your way to a dinner show. Fortunately, the city is working on solutions to the mess. The biggest relief is the parkway that will connect Dollywood (and the middle of Pigeon Forge) to Highway 66 in Sevierville to allow for quicker ways in and out of town. That road is partially open already and they are working on the last stretch. To make it even better, choose better times to visit. Try to avoid holidays or “major weekends”. Major weekends are next to holidays or car shows in Pigeon Forge…stay far away. Besides…Pigeon Forge isn’t exactly to blame for the frustrations…it’s the other gazillion tourists trying to do the same things that you and your family are waiting to do. Get reservations for shows and dinner…leave early as well…traffic gets thicker on the north end of Pigeon Forge around 6pm since all of the theaters are located on that end and everyone seems to be heading that way at the same time.

Next up is the employees. Have you had a waiter, salesperson, or other employee not exactly sound like “they’re from around here”? The sad fact is that a large portion of the people living and working here aren’t “locals”. Don’t hold that against Pigeon Forge…we don’t go looking for these people! If you come across someone at a restaurant, attraction, shop, etc that shows the southern hospitality that makes your visit enjoyable then share it with the manager or business owner. Spread the word about how you enjoy the southern, down-home personalities. Get the business owners hiring more locals! True locals are becoming an endangered species around Pigeon Forge. I make a point of it to mention locals in the reviews as it definitely impacts visitors’ experiences. Be on the lookout for a top-10 list of restaurants and attractions where you can find entertaining locals.

Get off the parkway! Yeah, there are a ton of attractions to visit, but Pigeon Forge has a lot more to offer. There are places to hike, fish, bike, walk, run, kayak, raft, golf, etc. Get away from the crowds and enjoy God’s country. There are few places on earth as amazing as the Great Smoky Mountains. Don’t limit yourself to the “tourist traps” on the parkway.

Relax. Don’t be in a hurry and try not to be on a schedule. Pigeon Forge is only 5 miles long, but there is a lot to see and do. Try to enjoy every minute…even when you’re in traffic. After all, you’re spending time with your family & friends…make the most of it. It’s not about getting from point A to point B when you’re here. It’s about the memories you leave with. Don’t let the massive amounts of other people take away the reasons you come to Pigeon Forge. Enjoy the getaway and leave the stress for all the other people “stuck” in traffic & lines!

If you have some tips to share or have had great experiences at restaurant, attractions etc then share them with others in the comment area!

Pigeon Forge Forums Now Open

Do you have a question about where to stay, eat, shop, or what to do in Pigeon Forge, TN? Maybe you have some tips, advice, reviews you would like to share? You’re in luck, because the Inside Pigeon Forge Forums is now open for you to share your voice as well as get inside info from the locals! Various local folks from Pigeon Forge drop in to offer advice on how to make the most out of your visit. I guess you could call it eSouthern Hospitality! The fact is, we want you to visit Pigeon Forge with a smile on your face and having a great time with your family and friends…after all, it just means you’ll be less irritable when you’re around us in our town!

Drop into the Inside Pigeon Forge Forums right away to get in front of everyone else. The locals will provide feedback in the order that the posts come in…or whichever is friendlier! See you there!