September 2005 Archives

The Robert A. Tino Smoky Mountain Homecoming will be a weekend full of art, variety and entertainment of all kinds. There is so much to do at the Robert A. Tino Gallery in Sevierville this weekend, October 1-2! Even more, the event will not cost you a dime - admission is free.

Regional craftsmen and artisans from around the nation will gather this weekend in the Pigeon Forge area for one of the largest Smoky Mountain Homecomings yet. "Bigger and better" is the goal for this year, and the line up of activities offered certainly attests to this.

All day Saturday and Sunday artisans will demonstrate their crafts. Presenters include blacksmiths, bowl makers, broom makers, gun smiths, corn mill grinders, rope makers, basket makers, cross cut saw men, quilters, lye soap makers, and antique tractors will be on display.

Are you planning that perfect fall weekend in Pigeon Forge when you and your family can come to the Smoky Mountains, rent a cabin, go for a hike and see the fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? You may be asking when is the best time to see the red and orange hues paint the mountainsides. Where should we go to see the best displays? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials tell us that although it is hard to predict the peak and intensity of the colors, generally it is the third week of October. But it can sometimes be earlier or later depending on the moisture and temperatures. Good leaf color comes from moisture, warm days and cool nights. Since these variables are different year to year, you are assured no two autumns are alike.
So where do you go to see these brilliant (or maybe not so brilliant) fall colors?

I love it when Dolly comes to Pigeon Forge. She simply lights up the room with her self-effacing humor and infectious laugh. We are fortunate enough to have her visit throughout the year; the Dollywood season opening, the Dolly Parade, Harvestfest Celebration kickoff...the list goes on.

Dolly Parton was in town this past weekend kicking off the annual National Music and Harvest Celebration at Dollywood. After mini-concert which included bluegrass artist Rhonda Vincent and her band, The Rage as well as the gospel group The Fairfield Four, Dolly performed her hit song "Jolene." Dolly also discussed the new park additions for 2006 which include a new ride, the Timber Tower, and two new shows. In addition to the kickoff, she also played a series of sold out concerts to benefit her Imagination Library.

Dolly's childhood imagination and mature creativity are embraced in her Dollywood. Read this press release about how Dollywood attraction's pay tribute to Dolly's days as a poor little girl growing up in Sevier County, the friends and family she met along the way and her vivid childhood imagination.

This Saturday, September 24th, the chilling Bell Witch: The Movie premiered in the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. A legend so tragic and mysterious, the movie depicts the historic haunting of the Bell family in Adams, Tennessee in the early 1800’s, with paranormal happenings documented to this day in the Adams area.

The movie is the first feature length film produced entirely in East Tennessee by native joint East Tennessee film companies, Big River Pictures and Cinemarr Entertainment . It is also the first horror film shot with the new Sony CineAlta 24p HD camera.

I have been greatly impressed by the overflow of generosity and kindness that Sevier County residents and businesses have bestowed upon the Hurricane Katrina victims. In such a drastic and unexpected catastrophe, the government simply cannot fix everything immediately, and that is where the regular United States citizens must come together to help. In the face of devastation, suffering and despair, the American people can offer a small part of their lives to begin to restore hope and relieve some of the pain that Katrina victims are entrenched in.

Disturbed by the helpless plight of Gulf Coast neighbors, Pigeon Forge locals have been collecting money and items for donation and the volunteers of the United Way and Red Cross agencies have been working tirelessly to help people in New Orleans and Mississippi.

We have been saying this all spring and summer. The city of Pigeon Forge has been inundated with various models and makes of cars participating in the different Pigeon Forge car shows. This weekend, we have the Southern National Association Fall Nationals Open Show which will include a wide variety of unique cars, truck and bikes. This show will take place this weekend, September 23 and 24, at the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center.

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains are the place to be in the fall! If you’ve ever visited Pigeon Forge in August and then return just a month later, you’ll be amazed at the difference in temperature you feel in the evenings. This is the time to stroll down the streets or drive up to the mountains to star gaze.

As a “local” who grew up in Sevier County, I cannot begin to explain how beautiful our little towns become when the leaves begin to change. It is a different feel than any other season. I have a difficult time picking a favorite, but fall in East Tennessee is definitely something to see!

Something visitors should incorporate into their plans while in Pigeon Forge is a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though the park is beautiful year round, it is known for its fall colors. Maples, poplars, beech, and many other trees become vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow as the weather begins to cool. Combining these colors with the evergreens also in this temperate rainforest provides an amazing collage of color on the hills. Drive through Gatlinburg and into the park to enter a different world, separate from the rush of the town.

Cool down and beat the heat during the dog days of summer by enjoying the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's cool rivers and mountain breezes.

Pack a picnic in the Park! Picnic areas are located at Big Creek, Chimney Tops, Cades Cove, Collins Creek, Cosby, Deep Creek, Greenbrier, Heintooga, Look Rock, Metcalf Bottoms, and Twin Creeks. Please remember that feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal. We want you to have fun, but we also want you to be safe and to keep our wildlife healthy and safe.

Go take a Hike! More than 850 miles of hiking trails traverse the Great Smoky Mountains. They range from easy to difficult and provide half hour walks to week-long backpacking trips. The Appalachian Trail runs for 70 miles along the Park's top ridge.

Too often I feel that visitors to Pigeon Forge, TN do not realize how close they are to the nation's most visited national park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is also the only national park in the US that has no admission charges! This temperate rainforest can provide a day of cool refuge from the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge. Go explore!

Thousands of classic car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains each year. Log on to see a complete calendar of car shows and rod runs that will be taking place throughout the spring, summer and fall in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The Spring Grand Rod Run is the kick-off event to a new season of car shows. Thousands of classic car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts flock to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains each year to experience the thrills of the Spring Grand Rod Run each year.