Dolly Homecoming Parade And More!

This Friday is one of our favorite times of the year, and one of the official starts to the Summer-time season in Pigeon Forge. It's the return of the Smoky Mountains' favorite daughter, Miss Dolly Parton herself for the annual Dolly's Homecoming Parade!

From stoplight #6 to stoplight #3, dozens and dozens of floats, locals and business owners will march down the main street of the city, culminating with the grand marshal Dolly Parton herself making an appearance and thanking everyone for supporting this wonderful city throughout the years. www.mypigeonforge.com/events/dolly-parade/

And starting early next week, Ripley's attractions in Gatlinburg will be having "Sevier County" days, where locals who live or work in Sevier County (as well as Jefferson County and Cocke County) who come to the Ripley's Aquarium, Haunted Adventure, Believe It or Not! Museum, Guinness World of Records and more can get in for only $4 a person with ID presented. www.ripleysgatlinburg.com

A great start to May and the upcoming Summer season! All these events are easy to get to from Green Valley, and there are more reasons to stay with us that you can find at www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

A Mountain Quiltfest and Festival of the Nations 2014

Wow - two huge festivals in Pigeon Forge at the same time? You better believe this is the real start of the "visitors season" here in the Smokies. The quiet season is done for this year, now we look forward to the special events going on nearly nonstop in the cities.

The first one starts today at the LeConte Conference Center with "A Mountain Quiltfest" and goes on to Friday, March 22nd. This is, to put it simply, a huge quilt festival, but it is surprisingly popular and very enriching, whether you're a fan of Appalachian culture or not. Lots of beautiful works of art will be on display, and those initiated can find quilting workshops to learn professional skills, plus there will be a quilting contest with a prize of $20,000 at stake. Yes, quilting is serious business here in the Smokies!

And then, also on 3/22, is an event a LOT of people look forward to - Dollywood's "Festival of Nations" and grand re-opening for the 2014 season. This year the headlining act is "Mother Africa", at the main theater on park, while many newer performers play at venues throughout alongside returning favorites like Zambia Vocal Group and Atahualpa coming back again.

And many more special events in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg will be following suit as Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales, Gatlinburg Winefest, the Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run and more. As always, check back with us next month and any time in between. www.greenvalleypigeonforge.com.

Press Release: Just Get Outdoors With Liz & GSM Outfitters!

WEARS VALLEY, TN – A brand new program opens up in the heart of the Tennessee Smoky Mountains allowing locals and visitors to better understand and appreciate the nature of the Appalachians in our region. This program is a collaboration between the owners of GSM Outfitters in Wears Valley, and wildlife biologist Liz Domingue.

“Just Get Outdoors!” will feature lectures, workshops, interactive activities for kids, photography and much more. Day and evening classes will be available. The following is a list of the classes and activities scheduled:

* Wildflowers, Wildflowers, Wildflowers!
April 10, 2014

* Wildflower Walk With a Naturalist
April 11, 2014

* Nature Photography Workshop
May 24, 2014

* Salamander Capital of the World!
July 25, 2014

* Salamander Foray
July 26, 2014

Group size will be small and space is limited. Participants will be asked to arrive 15 minutes ahead of time, to bring their own lunch and drinks and rainwear. Hiking boots also recommended.

To sign up for the outings and evening programs, contact Michael or Heather at 865-366-2608 or at Michael@gsmoutfitters.comcastbiz.net.

Saddle Up! 2014

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 19th to February 23th, 2014.

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. If you love your inner-cowboy and don't want to go West to celebrate it, come to Pigeon Forge

You can see more information at https://www.etouches.com/ehome/71876/142500/.

Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014

After all the huge celebrations and revelry of the holidays, it's tradition in the Smoky Mountains for the start of the year to be a well deserved break, and an opportunity to reflect on the quieter, finer things of the area.

This leads up to another long-standing tradition in the Smokies - Wilderness Wildlife Week in downtown Pigeon Forge. Located this year at the new LeConte Conference Center between the main parkway and Teaster Lane and going on between January 25th to February 1st.

For those who've never been - Wilderness Wildlife Week is one the most honest, true-to-nature special events in the whole calendar year. Not a festival, not a glitzy party, this is a celebration of the Smoky Mountains at their most natural and includes a full week of lectures, guest speakers, exhibitions, guided hikes and walks, and so much more than it's quite common for people to keep returning just because they weren't able to do everything the year before.

And it's all free. All of it.

See more at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/wilderness-wildlife-week/.

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.