It's hard not to think of Spring returning to the Smokies - largely because it's already here.

Although unofficially so, the season has definitely started here in Pigeon Forge. The temperatures are peaking in the 70s, blue sky and sunshine and even some of the flowers and trees are blooming already! The emerald glow of the Smokies won't be far behind and the return to a healthy stream of special events like the Festival of the Nations.

Here's a quick look at what's coming up.

The 18th Annual "A Mountain Quiltfest"
3/14/12-3/17/12

The city of Pigeon Forge hosts a very popular festival in which over 20,000 visitors participate in many classes and seminars, and view some of the most gorgeous quilts in the country. www.mountainquiltfest.com

ClausFest Parade
3/17/12

Gatlinburg's Spring Parade is back on for 2012. The Clausfest parade features, get ready for this, all your favorite Christmas and St. Patrick's Day icons marching together in a grand fashion down the main street of downtown Gatlinburg. It's a sight worth coming to see. www.clausfest.org

Dollywood "Festival Of the Nations"
3/24/12-4/30/12

Dollywood opens it's gates once again to the tune of world music as Festival of the Nations returns to captivate visitors to the Smokies. Groups from Ireland, South America, Africa, Germany and more will be coming and coming back to entertain us here in the Smokies. www.dollywood.com

Great Smoky Easter Arts and Crafts Show
4/5/12-4/7/12

Imagine if the Arts and Crafts Community of Gatlinburg, with dozens of other independent artists and artisans from whole states away gathered in one huge building in downtown Gatlinburg and you have the setting for the Great Smoky Easter Arts and Crafts Show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. www.gatlinburgcrafts.com.

Make your reservations today and enjoy either of these special events, or come early and enjoy the Springtime glory of the Smokies without the Springtime traffic. We'll be posting more information on Special Events and Dollywood as they become available. Make your reservation at www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com

Highlights for February 2012

Whats going on this month? Not much, and for that we're quite glad. The "quiet" season of the Smokies combined with an unusually consistent mild weather (up to 60 degrees on a lot of days so far this "winter") has made the atmosphere here in Pigeon Forge absolutely gorgeous - more than we're used to in February! If ever there was a time to come out and just relax in the Smokies, here it is.

Actually, we fib just a bit. There are a few things going on for February. Apart from Valentine's Day and the plethora of restaurants we're between 5-10 minutes from (Alamo Steakhouse, Kinkaku, Calhoun's and so on), the weekend between February 23-26 has two events going on at the same time - the 12th Annual "Saddle Up!" western festival here across Pigeon Forge and the brand new "Gatlinburg Improv Fest" at Sweet Fanny Adams Theater in downtown Gatlinburg.


It's not every month two one-of-a-kind events for Western and comedy enthusiasts happen on the same weekend here in the Smokies, so make your reservations today at www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com

Pigeon Forge is a "Destination on the Rise".

We've got some exciting news to share on behalf of the city! Pigeon Forge was recently rated #4 out of 15 "Destinations on the Rise" according to Tripadvisor.com. Pigeon Forge beat out Branson, Missouri, Asheville, North Carolina, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Charleston, South Carolina. You can read the post here.

If we were to guess how Pigeon Forge got so high on a list full of more popular city names, it would be because Pigeon Forge, despite the economic downturn for the last few years, has still been able to draw huge crowds from all around the world thanks to a generally low-cost economy (gas, food, accommodations and many things are generally cheaper here than many cities around us), an abundance of free activities in town (Wilderness Wildlife Week going on this week being one, plus hiking the Great Smoky Mountains Park and visiting places like Sugarlands Visitors Center are free as well) and a consistent dedication to quality of entertainment.

You know - Dollywood is unveiling a new ride this year, along with Splash Country here in the Summer time. The music theaters in town continue to offer high-quality professional country/gospel entertainers while places like Zorb, Wonderworks and the Titanic Museum REALLY broaden out the spectrum for what Pigeon Forge can offer - just to start.

We're looking forward to what 2012 can offer us and we hope you get to experience this new growth with us here at Green Valley Pigeon Forge! See how we can help your Smoky Mountain vacation at www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

New Years and January 2012

Who says the winter after Christmas gets dull in the Smokies? There are two very popular events worth posting on in just the first week of January.

First is the New Years Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks in downtown Gatlinburg which promises to be one of the biggest parties for miles and miles around. The streets will be filled with party-goers having a great time in the Smokies, listening to the music being played by Pyro-Shows until the big fireworks display at the Space Needle. When the big tower explodes in a storm of fireworks, you'll know it's time to celebrate the New Year!

Next up from there is the Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge on Music Road from January 7-14. This is an event for serious nature lovers and fans of the Smoky Mountains to come and see what the mountains are all about. There will be plenty of indepth lectures, guest speakers, exhibits, demonstrations, vendors and even guided walks that's perfect for kids and adults. You can see more of that at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_winterfest_wilderness.aspx.


There is never a real dull spot in the Smokies, so come on out and enjoy the rest of Winterfest with us here at Green Valley Motel! Saddle Up is coming in February and you won't want to miss that either. www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade 2011!

Another week, another Winterfest activity with the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade up in Gatlinburg!

Friday night, December 2nd, Gatlinburg's most popular Christmas centered event comes marching down Highway 321 to Stoplight #10 at 7:30PM for more than an hour of famous Christmas characters, carolling, floats, marching, clown cars and even drum and pipe bands. All your favorite characters, new and old, famous and maybe some obscure icons from way back in the day, will all be there that evening and you and your kids are going to love it and treasure the memories forever. That's how the Fantasy of Lights keeps coming back year and year.

It's a fabulous, fantastic fantasy evening in Winterfest and you're going to want to bring the whole family. Stay with us for your family Winterfest needs - kids 12 and under are free! Win the best of all worlds here at Green Valley Motel - www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com

Winterfest Kickoffs!

After Halloween, even just hours after, the mood and focus in this great county immediately shifts to Winterfest, a special event that all three of the major cities - Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville - are celebrating at municipal areas in their respective cities.

Sevierville doesn't have as many city events as Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg does, but their Winterfest Celebration comes first. They hold their kick-off at the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce/Community center and provide free entertainment (inflatable bounce houses, slide and obstacle course, local performers, kid's carnival), free food and soda, mascot dance off (!), coffee and hot chocolate, Santa Claus and... fireworks? Wow! You won't want to miss Sevierville's Kick off between 3:00PM to 8:00PM on November 7th for 2011!

On November 9th, Pigeon Forge will be kicking off the Winterfest with a new Veteran's Parade on, you guessed it, Veteran's Boulevard, before taking the festivities to Patriot Park in the center of Pigeon Forge where the Trolley Tour of Lights will begin. The Parade begins at 4:30PM on November 9th for 2011 and all are invited to attend!

Then finally, the "big" show is Gatlinburg's Chili Cookoff and Winterfest Kick-off where Ripley's Aquarium becomes the city square for more than a dozen vendors, 30,000+ cups of chili and over 1,000 people are expected to show up for a night of fun, chili and the big "switch" which officially starts the Winterfest Season for Gatlinburg by turning on the million dollar lighting displays throughout the city. This event goes from 5:00PM to 8:00PM.

If you're staying with us this fabled week of Winterfest kick-off, you'll be able to get to all three of these if you wanted to with little-to-no fuss. Veteran's Boulevard in Pigeon Forge is only about 5-7 minutes away, Gatlinburg about 10-12 minutes (minus traffic) and Sevierville takes a bit longer at 15-17 minutes, but you only need to make three right turns to get to the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce! It's going to be one of the best weeks on the calendar and we want you to enjoy it with us at Green Valley Motel!

October Fun in Pigeon Forge

October has been, remains, and will likely continue on to be one of the best whole months in the calendar year for the Smokies in East Tennessee. There is absolutely no way you can lose with mild, balanced temperatures of 60s, 70s and even some 80s, crisp colors up close and personal and miles around, and the Harvest Festival providing lots of great special event material for you and your family to enjoy!

First and foremost is, of course, Dollywood and their Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration. This is a month-long music and crafts festival from now to October 29th and it promises about 350 performances or MORE. This is, of course, in addition to the rides and attractions that Dollywood offers 3/4s of the year round. One full day will not give you access to everything Dollywood has to offer, you'd have to come two or three days to experience all the rides, music, and interactivity and at this time of the year, it's especially well worth the price.

The Old Mill is also an incredible source for Harvest Festival spirit in the town as it captures the dignity of the city and its Appalachian culture perfectly during October. Plenty of wonderful arts and crafts and foods (plus two restaurants) and access to Patriot Park which has a river walkway, the central Trolley hub, and a huge Rotary Club Craft Tent where a lot of local Artists will be gathered to show off wares and skills.

If you want something more organic, you should try some of the hiking trails near the Sugarlands Visitors Center toward Gatlinburg. That is a 15-20 minute drive from us, but absolutely saturated with photo opportunities and honest-to-goodness connection with nature and Autumn spirit, plus its free.

How can you lose in October? You'd have to try really really hard to do that. How can you win even further? Be taking advantage of our new specials listed below:


We hope we get to see you in October! Stay tuned for Winterfest coming up!