Christmas And New Years in the Smokies 2013

Coming to the Smokies for Christmas? Looking for events to help build the holiday cheer and spirit? Let's look at what's going on to build your Smoky Mountain Christmas vacation itinerary.

Christmas in Wears Valley
Now - 12/31/2013

Don't forget we have a new Christmas celebration here in Wears Valley! Every weekend at the Wears Valley Ranch, we're having traditional Appalachian Christmas items like hayrides, carolers, storytelling and much more! www.christmasinwearsvalley.com.

Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
Now - 1/4/2014

Nowhere else in the entirity of East Tennessee will you find an area that brings the Winter Wonderland to life like Dollywood during their Smoky Mountain Christmas. Lots of Christmas shows, parades and performances, a Santa's workshop, and most incredible lighting displays throughout the park you've ever seen. Definitely a must-see on your list! www.dollywood.com

Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Parade
12/6/13

The Fantasy of Lights Parade is a wondrous sight to behold and many who come to see it have been making it part of their holiday tradition for over a decade. All of your favorite characters and seasonal icons march down the street, from Alamo Steakhouse on Highway 321 to Stoplight #10 at the end of the downtown parkway in Gatlinburg, will be appearing and marching down the street for your entertainment. www.gatlinburg.com.

Bill Landry at Cove Creek RV in Wears Valley.
12/7/13
Bill Landry is famous in East Tennessee and some parts beyond as the host of "The Heartlander Series" and for his storytelling appearances throughout the area. Now he's bringing his stories and his books to Wears Valley for a performance and a meet and greet to sign some of his books. Bill Landry will be appearing at 4:00PM, Saturday, December 7th, Cove Creek RV on the main street through Wears Valley. www.christmasinwearsvalley.com

New Years Eve
12/31/13

Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are indulging in New Years fireworks this year, Gatlinburg will hold their traditional entertainment of music and revelry downtown and then fireworks shooting off from the Space Needle, but Pigeon Forge will also be having New Years Eve shows and apparently fireworks at several places as well. You'll need to visit www.gatlinburg.com and www.mypigeonforge.com for more information on those.

We'll keep you informed on new special events starting the new year out next month. Wilderness Wildlife Week is coming up in January and Green Valley will just be 5 minutes driving distance away from it! www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

Special Events For November 2013

Lots going on this month towards Thanksgiving (naturally) and as December starts entering in.

First and foremost, Gatlinburg's trio of events at W.L. Mills Auditorium is back on this year between 11/26/13 to 12/1/13. Gatlinburg Festival of Trees (11/26/13 - 11/30/13), The Great Smoky Mountains Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts Show (11/26/13 - 12/1/13) and return performances of The Nutcracker "Sweet" on 11/29/13 and 11/30/13. If you come to visit W.L. Mills Auditorium on 11/29/13 and 11/30/13, you and your family can check all three one the same day under one roof! Visit www.gatlinburg.com for more information on those events.

Then, we have a new event to tell you about in the area. The community of Wears Valley, between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, is starting up a Christmas festival of their own that you simply must see! Christmas in Wears Valley is on between November 29th and December 31st for 2013. It is a weekend event going on each weekend between those dates at Cove Creek RV on the main road through the community. There will be wagon rides, hayrides, storytelling, Christmas Carols in addition to the wonderful things you can find in the area year-round.

There is also going to be a special promotion similar to a scavenger hunt where people who find 10 specially decorated Christmas trees at businesses in Wears Valley will receive a free Christmas In Wears Valley Christmas card, and those who find all 20+ will receive a free Christmas In Wears Valley T-shirt. You can find more information on this event at www.christmasinwearsvalley.com.

Stay tuned with us at www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com as we get ready for December and the Christmas events going on.

The Fall Colors in Pigeon Forge 2013

After much speculation and watching, this week is the start of the full Autumn bloom, and we would love to have you out in Pigeon Forge to enjoy it with us! There's also a plentitude of good special events going on from here until the end of the month that really adds to the Harvest Festival or Halloween ambiance.

Here's what we have going on this month:

* Patriot Park Rotary Club Craft Tent *
September 28th – October 26th, 2013

A 28 year old tradition, every Harvest Festival, the Rotary Club sets up a huge tent as a showcase for local artists and crafters to show off their wares and skills in the parking lot of Patriot Park. Admission by donation. http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/pigeon-forge-rotary-club-craft-fair/

* Dollywood National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration *
October 2nd – November 2nd, 2013

More Southern Gospel and genuine, homemade arts and crafts from age-old Appalachian family skills than you can find anywhere else in the South. Come for the music, stay for the rides and take home Appalachian souvenirs you can’t get anywhere else! www.dollywood.com.

* Ripley's Fright Nights *
October 4th - October 31st, 2013

Ripley’s Haunted Adventure celebrates Halloween with an additional horror show bringing the New Orleans ghost lore to supplement the already skin-crawlingly creepy show with no extra charge every Friday Saturday, and Sunday evening plus Halloween Night. http://www.ripleys.com/gatlinburg/your-visit/ripleys-haunted-adventure/

* Halloween At The Island *
October 31st, 2013

Wow! The newest, hottest spot in Pigeon Forge will be open for families to enjoy Halloween. Free hayrides, ghost storytelling, kids circus, candy stations, costume contest and free rides on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel for all kids in costume with Adult purchase. http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/halloween-at-the-island/.

Come enjoy the Smoky Mountains with us here at Green Valley! www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

The Start of Harvest Festival 2013

The leaves are already starting to change and fall here in the Smokies! It's not the full bloom yet, don't worry, but we might be expecting that gorgeous golden rainbow-colored swell here earlier than usual if it keeps picking up like it has been and, if you're wanting an Autumn visit to the Smokies, you may need to plan a bit earlier this year!

And don't worry, there will be plenty of events waiting for you here even if you aren't able to time it so you get to see the grand color change. These include:

Pigeon Forge:
10th Annual Old Mill Heritage Day (September 28, 2013)
http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/old-mill-heritage-day/

Rotary Club Craft Fair (September 28, 2013)
http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/pigeon-forge-rotary-club-craft-fair/

MountainFest (October 1-7, 2013)
http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/mountainfest/

Dollywood's National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration (October 2-November 2, 2013)
http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/national-southern-gospel-harvest-celebration/


Gatlinburg:
Fast Cars 'n' Mason Jars (September 26-28, 2013)
http://www.gatlinburg.com/events/details.aspx?id=123

Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg (September 27-November 3, 2013)
http://www.gatlinburg.com/events/details.aspx?id=80

Fine Arts Festival (October 4-6, 2013)
http://www.gatlinburg.com/events/details.aspx?id=29

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair (October 10-27, 2013)
http://www.gatlinburg.com/events/details.aspx?id=10


If any of these sound good to you, reserve today at www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com for the events of your choice.

Celebrate Freedom in Pigeon Forge!

Pigeon Forge is a huge supporter of the red, white and blue here in Tennessee, and it's one of the few things locals and visitors universally agree upon. The American soldier, past, present and future, is out hero here in the Smokies, and to thank our police, military, fire rescue and emergency servicemen and women, the city holds a month-long series of military discounts for a huge range of things from food and shopping to the many attractions in the Smokies as well.

A few examples include:

* Captain Jim's Seafood Buffet
1/3 pound of crab legs with each buffet.

* Geno's Pizza
Buy one pizza at regular price and get the same pizza of equal or lesser value for free.

* Country Tonite
$10 off each ticket in your party and free popcorn each paid ticket.

* Zorb Smoky Mountains
30% off any ride.

* Rafting in the Smokies
$15 off rafting trip.

* Hollywood Wax Museum
20% off regular admission price.

* Reagan's House of Pancakes
20% off on all purchases.

And then, of course, you can take advantage of the military discounts we offer here at Green Valley Motel! You can see our discount page at http://greenvalleypigeonforge.com/pigeon_forge_military_discounts.html.

And you can see the full list of military discounts during Celebrate Freedom at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/pdf/celebrate-freedom-discounts.pdf

Summer Fun Suggestions

It's true the Summer is half over and it's only a few weeks away until school starts again, but a few weeks can still get you the best of Pigeon Forge! Take a look at what you could enjoy with the kids before the class bell rings.

Dollywood - No list of Summer Fun suggestions is complete without Dollywood (whether we're talking about Pigeon Forge or not). Dollywood features a unique variety of music, crafts, attractions, and rides, including over 40 live performances every day, over 20 different crafts and the fun and excitement of 30 rides and attractions for kids of all ages. Families and couples alike will enjoy sharing this unique entertainment experience. (865) 428-9488

Dolly's Splash Country - Like Dollywood before it, Dolly's Splash Country is another high-quality family park with very serious attention to detail to provide safe, family fun. Huge slides, a wave pool, plenty of play area and interactive stuff for the younger kids. Every year they add more on to it, so always keep checking back for exciting new changes! (865) 428-9488

Dixie Stampede - Enjoy a delicious 4-course feast and be dazzled by a horse-racing, whip-cracking, wagon-busting good time complete with the North/South rivalry. Get there an hour early and enjoy the pre-show in the Dixie Belle non-alcoholic Saloon! (865) 453-4400

The Comedy Barn - America's funniest family variety show! We feature nationally known comedians, magicians, jugglers and "Arnold the Mind Reading Pig"! Reservations suggested and Kids are free! (865) 428-5222

Wonderworks - Upside down is right-side up and nothing is what it seems at Wonderworks in Tennessee. The largest imagination station in Sevier County is the perfect place to take the kids for an entire afternoon or even the whole day! Come to watch gravity defied, virtual reality and 3D sound, a build-it-yourself roller coaster ride and a bike that goes up and around! Only Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge lets you break free from reality to have a real live psychic battle with a friend. Check it out as soon as you get here! (865) 868-1800

Zorb - You've always wanted to try it when you were a kid, and now you can! With Zorb, you get to climb inside a giant inflatable ball and roll down a hill like you mean it - and this is the Smoky Mountains, friend, we got some BIG hills coming down from the mountain! Try something wild and extreme with a trip to the mountains and then right back down the mountains again with Zorb! (865) 428-2422

At Green Valley in Pigeon Forge, you're just a few minutes away from these attractions and more! See our website for more details. www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com/

Independence Day 2013

Come spend the 4th of July with us here at Green Valley Motel in Pigeon Forge!

Every year, as it has for over 20 years, Pigeon Forge celebrates the 4th of July at the town square at Patriot Park/The Old Mill. The park is flat and wide open for a reason, and when you get there you'll see why! Bring a blanket or some folding chairs, a cooler, a frisbee, and find a spot comfortable for you to enjoy the music coming from the huge soundstage as performers like Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. Then the big show starts between 9:30 P.M. and 9:45 P.M.

And the best part of this, as a guest to Green Valley Motel, is you can get to Patriot Park from us relatively easily using our trolley stop. Traffic will be high during this event, so the trolley will be the best way to go.

Come see what we can offer you for the 4th of July or any season of the year at www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

GSM Outfitters in Wears Valley, Tennessee

For all the pomp and celebration we make of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one thing we don't have a lot of are outfitting stores to supply those wanting to experience the mountains in all its natural glory. As such, we are delighted anytime a new outfitter comes to the Smokies, so we'd like to take this opportunity to welcome GSM Outfitters of the Wears Valley area!

Their press release is as follows:

"GSM has been started by Heather and Michael Shepperd. We were married on June 14th 2010. One of the many things we have in common is a love for the outdoors. When we met, my soon to be wife was getting ready for a backcountry trip with an organization call BOW (“Becoming an Outdoor Woman”). Their trip would be in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was also getting ready for a trip to Tennessee. Once in Tennessee I planned to hike Ramsey Falls for the second time. I decided to invite Heather to come with me.

I have been coming to Tennessee my whole life. My mother was born here and as a kid we would come for vacations and stay on my great uncle Wayne’s farm. I have always had an appreciation for this state. Beautiful county and nice people make for a perfect place, in my opinion. Heather agreed to join me on the trip. Once here, she had the same love and passion for this part of the country that I had always known.

Following that trip, almost every vacation or long weekend revolved around the Smoky Mountains. We have traveled and hiked various trails in and around the Smoky Mountains from Cades Cove to Cherokee, North Carolina. We never seem to grow tired of waterfalls, lush forest, mountain trails, butterflies, bears or Tennessee. It took no time to decide that when we retired Tennessee would be our home. We started saving money to facilitate the process. Just over a year ago we had a 3 hour brainstorm meeting at our kitchen table to try to figure out a way to purchase a vacation home in the mountains sooner rather than later. We tightened our belts for several months, cashed in stocks and did everything we could to squeeze every nickel.

In October we made a purchase of a home in Wears Valley.

The thought of living in this area became a vortex we could not and did not want to escape from. We were obsessed with the thoughts of daily life in the mountains and the experience that would be more than a vacation.

Sadly in January my mother passed away. In the last year of her life she had moved from Michigan back down south. Once she passed away something clicked inside of me. I did not want to spend abbreviated periods in the place that felt more like home than the place I was born in. Sometime during this confusing mix in our lives Heather and I decided to go all in and pursue our passion of a life in Tennessee combined with our love of the outdoors.

That is when we decided to open GSM Outfitters and make this magnificent place our home. Please come in and see us at GSM if not to shop than to share in your mountain experience. If you are not able to make it into the store please join us on facebook at GSM Outfitters LLC or visit our website: www.gsmoutfitters.com.

Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass 2013

East Tennessee riddle for late spring: what has enough meat to rival the size of the Smoky Mountains, some of the best music acts you can find for miles around, free admission and the distinction of being one of the few special events you can enjoy around a courthouse?

The answer is the Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass public party in downtown Sevierville tonight and all day tomorrow. This is a tradition going years and years back, and it comes back with even more each year. It is a combination music festival, arts and crafts show and celebration of the Southern art of cooking with non-stop performances by artists like Doyle Lawson, J.D. Crowe, Tony Rice and more, a Barbecue cook-off with over 40 competitors, and The American Grillmaster Experience and the Great American BBQ Tour will both be on hand to share tips for everything barbecue.

This awesome event is just 15 minutes away from Green Valley Motel. See more at http://www.bloominbbq.com/WhatsNew.aspx.

April Special Events for 2013

Gracious goodness, we're halfway through April and there's STILL a lot of events coming up before May! At Green Valley, we're within a few minutes to Gatlinburg and downtown Pigeon Forge, and our location gives you easy access to:

* Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales (April 5th August 10th)
* Welcome Home Vietnam Parade (April 16th, additional events 15th-18th)
* Grand Spring Rod Run (April 19th)
* Festival of Nations at Dollywood (Ends April 22nd)
* Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage (April 23rd-27th)
* Gatlinburg Winefest (April 27th)

You can see more on these events at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events.aspx and http://www.gatlinburg.com/events. Next month, we'll have the Barbecue and Bluegrass (Dollywood), the BLOOMIN' BBQ and Bluegrass (Sevierville), more info on the new Island section of Pigeon Forge and more! www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

Upcoming Spring Events for 2013

March is here! We've had quite the peaceful winter, and more than our share of early-year snow to complete the season, but now we look forward to Spring, the return of emerald hills, full trees, green Smoky Mountains as far as the eye can see, and the special events that make the area magical every time of the year.

Spring events are typically some of the more unique kinds of activities the cities offer and this year is no exception. Take a look at what the next little while has to offer the Smokies:

Gatlinburg Improv Fest
March 8th - March 9th, 2013

Sweet Fanny Adams, one of the longest-running theaters in town and a model of academic dramatic influence in town, hosts this weekend festival for improvisational comedy enthusiasts in downtown Gatlinburg. Lots of performances and even workshops for developing your own talent further will be expected. See www.gatlinburgimprovfest.com/ for more information.


A Mountain Quiltfest
March 12th - 16th, 2013

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. More than 60 classes and seminars will be featured and a vendor mall will be onsite for enthusiasts to purchase supplies. http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_quiltfest.aspx


Dollywood's Festival of Nations
March 23th - April 22nd, 2013

Dollywood opens every season with the most exciting Spring festival you'll find in East Tennessee - the Festival of Nations gathers many of the countries of the world to Dollywood where many cultures will add to the entertainment of the park. Africa, India, China, France, Poland and more will all be there and providing some of the best shows you will see all year! http://www.dollywood.com


Easter Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg
March 31st, 2013

The Sunrise Service is a Christian lead Easter service at the top of our
provided. Tram rides start at 5:45 AM in downtown Gatlinburg and are
omplimentary to visitors for this event. http://www.obergatlinburg.com


Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
April 5th - August 10th, 2013

Ever wanted the Smokies to be filled with the old timey music and legends
that it used to have way back in the day? Come to Gatlinburg for Smoky
Mountain Tunes and Tales and you can experience Gatlinburg celebrating
Appalachian Culture the way it used to. Music, stories, dancing all
throughout the city on evenings. http://www.gatlinburg.com


More events are coming as Spring progresses through the Smokies. Stay tuned with us as always for updates on the latest events coming up in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

"Saddle Up!" 2013

Looking for something REALLY different in the Smokies for February? Come check out "Saddle Up!" a Wild West-themed festival happening all across Pigeon Forge from February 21st to February 24th, 2013.

This adds a whole new dimension to the Country Music scene in the Smokies, with singing, dancing, a chuck wagon cookoff and even a Cowboy Church on Sunday. Entertainers this year include Brenn Hill, Chris Isaacs, Waddie Mitchell, The Quebe Sisters Band, Dave Stamey, Sourdough Slim, T. Scot Wilburn and the Shut Up N' Playboys, and Wylie and The Wild West.

You can see more information at www.mypigeonforge.com.