Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

36th Winter Carnival of Magic Convention

2010-03-02T17:30:44Z

More than 350 magicians will descend upon Pigeon Forge as the 36th Winter Carnival of Magic convention takes place March 4 through 6 at the Country Tonite Theatre. The annual convention will be highlighted by two spectacular magic and illusion shows open to the public, featuring award-winning performers from around the world.

"There will be exciting cabaret performances, stage performances and lectures from internationally-known performers for the registrants," said Kyle Copeland, co-chairman of the event. "In addition, there will be contests for stage performance and close-up performance and 10 magic dealers will be displaying and selling their products."

For the general public, there will be a different spectacular stage show each night on March 5 and 6. Friday night's performance will feature five internationally-known magicians, including comic magician Tim Wright, British performer Keith Fields, Las Vegas headliner Rich Bloch and the World of Illusion show starring David Thomas. The Saturday evening performance will feature the award-winning magic of Arthur Trace, comedy magic by Scott Francis, the dynamic magic of Kenrick "Ice" McDonald, the original magic of Nathan Kranzo and "Comedy Imaginator" Eric Buss.

Reserved seat tickets for the public shows are $15 for adults (10 and over) and $5 for children under 10. They are available at the Country Tonight Theatre box office at (800) 792-4308 or (865) 453-2003.

The Rustic Barn Gets Praises from Tennessee Home & Farm Magazine

2010-03-01T16:31:30Z

The beautiful Smoky Mountains hold many hidden treasures, but here is one that you'll want to hear all about! The Rustic Barn offers hearty, southern cooking in an unusual atmosphere, a 70 year old tobacco barn in Blount County. The husband-and-wife team, Tom and Barbara Hatmaker, are responsible for transforming this old barn into a restaurant specializing in down-home southern cooking, where everything is home-made. The restaurant sits on 3 acres, part of Hatmaker's farm, is surrounded by flower gardens, goldfish ponds and has an amazing view of the mountains.

Tennessee Home & Farm Magazine interviews Barbara about the restaurant and how they got started out in the small town of Walland and how this little Smoky Mountain restaurant is a small town treasure that people from all over come to get a little taste of.

Read Full Article

Update on Road Closings in the Pigeon Forge Area

2010-02-25T15:20:39Z

There have been a lot of rockslides and construction going on this year in our area causing some major roads to close. This can get very confusing when trying to plan a vacation, so here is an update on the current road closings.

The section of I-40 in between Asheville and Pigeon Forge is still closed due to a rockslide and will be closed for at least another month.
The section of the "spur" going from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg has just reopened one lane. The full road is scheduled to re-open on Tuesday.
A section of Ridge Road between Park Road and Candy Tuft Drive is closed due to an underground mudslide in early February that left a large crack in the road. The damage is more serious than expected and there is not an estimated re-open date. The city is still trying to decide the best way to repair it.
Cades Cove will be closing March 1 through May 21 for construction on the 11 mile loop. This road work is in effort to pave the eroded pull offs which will overall improve traffic flow, so visitors will be able to pull over to view the wildlife.

Stay tuned...we will update you with news on openings and open-date changes!

Saddle Up!

2010-02-19T21:13:55Z

A celebration of the American West will soon descend on Pigeon Forge, bringing with it a variety of entertainment, including concerts, poetry readings, a chuckwagon cook-off, western swing dances and a Cowboy Church event. This festival, known as Saddle Up!, is scheduled for February 25-28, 2010.

This event, now in its 10th year, is the last major event of Pigeon Forge Winterfest. It will feature entertainers like Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, Dave Stamey, Sisters of the Silver Stage, Ray Doyle and many more talented performers.

A reunion of The Virginian cast will also take place and will include James Drury, Roberta Shore and other special guests. A meet & greet reception, Q&A, autograph sessions and a special film viewing is planned.

Regis Philbin at the Grand Opening of the Titanic!

2010-02-16T17:04:41Z

The Grand Opening of the World's Largest Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge will be nothing short of spectacular! The Christening of the ship will host Regis Philbin and the Titanic's new Captain! The event will be held April 8, 2010 at 10:00am at the outside bow of the ship and admission will be FREE but come early, because no one wants to miss this!

Mountain Hope's Pirates Ball

2010-02-15T18:29:14Z

A popular local fundraiser where pirates take over the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies all in the name of helping to provide medical care for those in need. 2010 will mark the fifth year the Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic has held the Pirates Ball at the aquarium. The money raised at the ball helps tremendously with the low and no cost health care facility. This event is the largest fund draw of the year for Mountain Hope which relies on such private contributions to offer its services. This night is not only about fundraising, everyone is expected to have a great time while doing so! All attendees are invited to dress appropriately to dance the night away as if they were on a pirate ship as their best pirate or wench. Although if you have a penguin suit you're welcome to wear that as well since the aquarium just announced their opening of the penguin exhibit. This is such a fun and unique event and we hope everyone will come out and support Mountain Hope on March 11. Tickets are available now by calling the clinic at 865-774-7684.

NEW! Private Home and Condo Vacation Rental Page

2010-02-11T16:29:47Z

PigeonForge.com has created a new page for those of you who either want to rent out your vacation home, or those who are looking for a little bit of a different experience in your vacation accommodations. These vacation rentals are owned by individuals who have lavished a large amount of care and attention onto their property. A vacation in someone's private home can be far superior to staying in a hotel. What better way to spend your vacation than tucked away in one of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville's Private Luxury Homes? A truly customized experience awaits you and your guests.

American Idol Finalist to Perform in Pigeon Forge Show!

2010-02-09T21:10:04Z

American Idol Season 6 Finalist Melinda Doolittle will be starring in the Miracle Theatre's upcoming brand new production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Melinda will star as "The Narrator" beginning March 1 and running through April 9. Melinda is also a Tennessee girl who was a music major at Belmont University in Nashville and we are so happy to have her back in Tennessee especially to Pigeon Forge!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat should be an amazing show that will have you laughing with the antics of the twelve brothers and will move you with a whimsical score direct from Broadway. We hope to see everyone there!

LeConte Medical Center

2010-02-09T19:53:30Z

The excitement is building! The new LeConte Medical Center opens February 15, 2010...offering a full array of medical specialties and outstanding medical technology. It's a $115 million investment in the health of Sevier County, brought to you by Covenant Health. The new medical center will be featuring all-private patient rooms, an expanded Emergency Department, and a beautiful building designed to promote efficient flow of patient services. Come discover all that LeConte Medical Center has to offer and why you should Count on LeConte!

Closer. Advanced. Care. It's all here, all for you.
742 Middle Creek Road • Sevierville, TN 37862

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center's 'Hurry-Back-Spring-Fling'

2010-01-27T16:48:42Z

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center will host a "Hurry-Back-Spring Fling" event this Friday and Saturday, January 29 &30.

The galleries and historic buildings will be open for FREE from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission is being waived as a way to say "thank you" to all visitors who continue to stop in for the opportunity to learn more about the region's history. Special programming, including author book signings, will be part of the two-day event, and shoppers in the museum store will enjoy a 20 percent discount on all merchandise (some restrictions apply.) For more information, call the Heritage Center at 865-448-0044.

Pigeon Forge Rockslide Causes Road Closings

2010-01-27T16:03:52Z

A Pigeon Forge rockslide closed down a portion of the spur on U.S. 441 and after crews began cleaning up the debris a second slide occurred. Early Tuesday morning TDOT geotechnical engineers inspected the rockslide site and determined that the mountainside is still very unstable and additional work must be completed to stabilize the slope before the roadway can be reopened to traffic.

Currently TDOT believes the roadway could potentially be closed for more than a month. Crews were on site Tuesday removing additional debris in order to get a closer look at the slide area. More details on the amount of work needed to be done and an estimated timeline for the reopening of the Spur will be released by TDOT once the extent of the repair needed is determined. Traffic is currently being detoured around the slide with the northbound Highway 441 lanes accommodating both north and southbound traffic.

Pigeon Forge Attraction Lands on the World's Strangest Buildings List

2010-01-25T15:05:14Z

Offbeatearth.com recently made a list of the Top 33 of the World's Strangest Buildings. On the list there is anything from crooked houses, interesting museums, libraries and theaters and even a rotating tower. So what does Pigeon Forge have that would make in onto this list? Our very own Wonderworks is strange enough to make the cut! Maybe the Wonderwork's unusual upside down appearance is what has made it such a hit! In the couple of years they have been open, they have already captured the title of "Pigeon Forge's #1 Indoor Attraction!" So congrats to Wonderworks!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2010-01-20T14:50:58Z

The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge is adding a lavish production of the Broadway hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for the 2010 season, opening Feb. 12.

This colorful retelling of the biblical story about Joseph, his uncanny abilities and his designer coat sings out to young and old alike. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will have you laughing with the antics of the twelve brothers and will move you with a whimsical score direct from Broadway. Enjoy its wall to wall hits including "Close Every Door" and "Any Dream Will Do".

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be joined by the theater's original production on the life of Jesus, The Miracle, on March 12. A third show, Exalt, completes the schedule on selected dates. Exalt is a celebration of hymns, Southern gospel, contemporary Christian hits and today's worship songs.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

2010-01-20T14:50:58Z

The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge is adding a lavish production of the Broadway hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for the 2010 season, opening Feb. 12.

Bridging the Gap on the Foothills Parkway

2010-01-15T16:31:34Z

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has awarded a contract for construction of a bridge on the Foothills Parkway. Park officials said Thursday an American Recovery and Reinvestment grant will pay for the $24.7 million project, awarded to Bell & Associates Highway Construction of Brentwood.

Work on the 800-foot bridge is to begin in the spring of 2010 and will conclude in November 2011. The span will be on the eastern end of the unfinished Wears Valley to Walland segment of the parkway, commonly called "the missing link."

Proposed in the 1920s, authorized by Congress in 1944 and intermittently funded, the proposed 72-mile parkway today is about half done, and not all of that is joined. Only about 22 miles are currenty open to traffic.