Pigeon Forge’s annual Wilderness Wildlife Week in early January, this year Jan. 12-19, always brings about some of the best organizations dedicated to fostering growth in the most natural of habitats. From Pigeon Forge’s own American Eagle Foundation to Wildlife Photography by Weldon Lee out of Allenspark, Colorado, the event’s exhibitors run the gamut of wildlife enthusiasts. So for all you nature lovers out there, mark your calendars for Jan. 12-19, you won’t want to miss this year’s Pigeon Forge Wilderness Wildlife Week at the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center.
And just to make it that much easier for you, here’s a list of all the exhibitors, where they’re from and the dates they’ll be there, that will be a part of wildlife week:
Alpine Adventure Trails & Tours – Macon, GA
An adventure travel company that specializes in Switzerland and Austrian hiking tours.
Will be at the event January 12 – 16.
American Eagle Foundation – Pigeon Forge
Dedicated to the preserving America’s most recognized bird – the eagle.
The entire week.
Appalachian Bear Rescue – Townsend
Operating in Townsend, TN since 1996, Appalachian Bear Rescue continues to provide care for sick, injured, orphaned or abandoned bears with the goal of returning them to back to the wild.
The entire week.
Bays Mountain Raptor Center – Kingsport
It’s bird rehabilitation facility, wildlife exhibits, trails, wetlands area and planetarium are some of the best in the state.
The entire week.
Beneath the Smoke – Gatlinburg
Locals Ken & Vickie Jenkins operate this photography business in the heart of the Smokies.
The entire week.
Birds-I-View – Jefferson City, MO
Steve & Regina Garr operate this wild bird and nature store in Missouri.
The entire week.
Clayton Sharp – Corryton
Watch Clayton Sharp as he demonstrates the art of blacksmithing.
The entire week.
Coleman Factory Outlet – Pigeon Forge
Coleman carries a complete line of outdoor supplies and related items, and is well-known across the country for its quality gear.
The entire week.
Cumberland Trail Conference – Crossville
Volunteer organization that encourages the development of the Cumberland Trail, to meet the recreational needs of park visitors and area residents through building, maintenance and fundraising.
Will be at the event January 17 – 19.
Discover Life in America – Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Collects and preserves information on the amazing biodiversity of plant and animal life in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
The entire week.
Dutchman’s Loft – Gatlinburg
Artist Dick Ensing paints in the tradition of the French impressionists and is the 5th generation grandson of the legendary Dutch painter, Adrian Van Der Werf.
The entire week.
Doug Elliott – Storyteller – Union Mills, SC
Doug is a naturalist, herbalist, and a well known storyteller.
Will be at the event January 12 – 14.
Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Kodak
Dedicated to helping the GSMNP fund numerous projects.
The entire week.
Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel! – Kingston
Owners Joel & Kathy Zachry plan wonderful outdoor adventures everywhere.
The entire week.
Great Smoky Mountains Association – GSMNP
This association retails, with all proceeds benefiting the GMSNP, a complete line of publications, DVDs and many other items related to the history and preservation of the Great Smoky Mountains.
The entire week.
Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center – Townsend
Dedicated to preserving the old fashioned way of life and heritage in the Great Smoky Mountain area.
Will be at the event January 15 – 19.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont – Townsend
A private, non-profit that provides in-depth experiences through educational programs that nurture appreciation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The entire week.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Volunteers in Parks Program – Cherokee, NC
Find an area to volunteer as there is always a need for volunteers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The entire week.
Ijams Nature Center – Knoxville
Discover the magic of the natural world at Knoxville’s premier environmental education center and park.
The entire week.
Jim Gray Gallery – Pigeon Forge
This local art gallery, features the work of Jim Gray. Jim is best known for his prints of the Smoky Mountain area where he has been painting since 1966.
The entire week.
Kate Marshall Graphics, Inc. – Alpharetta, GA
This 10-time international film award-winning company specializes in the natural and cultural heritage of the southern Appalachians, offering DVDs and photography.
Will be at the event January 12 – 14.
Louise Bales – Artist – Gatlinburg
Louise lives in the Glade Arts & Crafts area of Gatlinburg where she has a gallery in the Cliff Dwellers Complex.
The entire week.
Lynne McCoy – Wildlife Rehabilitator – New Market
This amazing woman is a state and federally licensed independent Wildlife rehabilitator and teacher.
The entire week.
Mast General Store Outfitters – Knoxville
With several stores in the Southeastern area, this retailer specializes in outdoor clothing and equipment.
The entire week.
Nantahala Outdoor Center Gatlinburg – Gatlinburg
This retailer specializes in outdoor clothing and equipment as well as outdoor adventure planning in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The entire week.
Natural Look Woodcarving – Sevierville
Don Taylor, a teacher of woodcarving, operates this gallery which features his many world-class carvings.
The entire week.
Old Mill Square – Pigeon Forge
Historic section of Pigeon Forge surrounding a working grist mill built in 1830.
The entire week.
Pat K. Thomas – Cliff Dwellers Gallery – Gatlinburg
Pat K. Thomas has developed her own italic writing style, combining calligraphy and marbling.
Will be at the event January 15 – 19.
Photographic Society of East Tennessee – Talbot
This association, with members from East Tennessee, caters to photographers all over.
The entire week.
Sevier County Master Gardeners – Sevier, County, TN
An organization which assists people in developing and maintaining beautiful gardens and nature areas.
The entire week.
Smoky Mountain Historical Society – Sevier County, TN
This non-profit group is dedicated to preserving Sevier County’s history and heritage.
The entire week.
Smoky Mountain Llama Treks – Cosby
Enjoy experiencing the Smokies on one of the many possible llama treks offered by the Garrett family.
The entire week.
Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning – Knoxville
A non-profit organization that works with a number of state and federal agencies on long-range planning for Tennessee’s wilderness areas.
The entire week.
Tennessee State Parks – Nashville
This state agency distributes information on the numerous activities and services offered by the Tennessee State Parks.
The entire week.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency – Nashville
A regulatory agency overseeing hunting, fishing and other outdoor programs in the State of Tennessee.
The entire week.
Theresa Tyler – Basket Maker – Gatlinburg
Theresa resides in the Glades Arts & Crafts area of Gatlinburg where she keeps the art of basket making alive in the Cliff Dwellers Complex.
The entire week.
Titanic Museum & Attraction – Pigeon Forge
World’s largest permanent monument to the Titanic.
The entire week.
Tony Thomas – Musician – Clinton
Tony is a multi-talented musician and singer who plays numerous instruments and writes many of his own songs.
The entire week.
Wildlife Photography by Weldon Lee – Allenspark, Colorado
Weldon travels around the world capturing both the majestic beauty and the very essence of wild animals in their natural habitats.
Will be at the event January 15 – 19.
Whaley Family of Greenbrier – Pigeon Forge
One of Sevier County’s oldest families will have pictures, articles and information on their ancestors.
The entire week.
Wildcrafting with Ila – Bryson City, NC
Ila Hatter has delighted people for almost 30 years with her knowledge of plants and their folklore through her many books and DVDs.
Will be at the event January 12 – 14.
Wildflowers of Tennessee – Tullahoma
Jack & Dot Carman are the publishers of this book, which serves as Tennessee’s first color photographic field guide.
The entire week.