Tag: Pigeon Forge events

Pigeon Forge Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights

Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights lets you take in the town in all its holiday glory with a narrated tour of the town, its streets and neighborhoods.

Is it possible to see 5 million Christmas lights in one night? Quite possibly, and Pigeon Forge is going to give their best shot at it with the town’s Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights. It’s an easy way to get the holiday season started off right and get everyone in the spirit. It’s also a great way to tour Pigeon Forge and see some of the places that you might have missed just traveling down the Parkway. Let Pigeon Forge’s Trolley Ride of Lights be your guide to the holidays this season.

2017-2018 Dates

November 6, 2017 through February 28, 2018

And just so you know, just because it’s after New Years, doesn’t mean that Pigeon Forge stops celebrating. In fact, trolley rides will continue through the end of February, just so that we’re sure everyone will get their chance to see Pigeon Forge lit up in all its glory.

Pigeon Forge’s Trolley Ride of Lights is your chance to really take in every bit of the town’s holiday spirit with each trip you decide to take. The streets will be decorated with not only lights but garlands, candles, wreaths, Santas, and watch out for the mistletoe! The tour is completely narrated and the trolley itself is heated. Each trolley comes with its own personal tour guide whose stories about Pigeon Forge’s history are sure to amaze and wonder. Let us do the driving, we want you to be able to see all of Pigeon Forge’s holiday magic.

And just one other note, there must be a minimum of 15 passengers for the Trolley tour to begin. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival and reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. For any other information, call 865-453-6444 and enjoy the lights!

Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch with the Easter Bunny

On Saturday, April 7 your kids can eat breakfast with the Easter Bunny and then take part in an Easter egg hunt.

Information below refers to the 2017 brunch with the Easter Bunny at Old Mill Square.

“Here comes Peter Cottontail, Hopping down the Bunny Trail…” And that bunny trail leads straight to the Pigeon Forge Community Center. On April 15, your kids can take part in an Easter egg hunt, as well as attend brunch with the Easter Bunny at Old Mill Square. What better way is there to kick off your Easter festivities. The brunch will take place at 8am with the Easter egg hunt following at 10am.

Start the Saturday before Easter off with a good wholesome breakfast hosted by the Easter Bunny himself. After breakfast there will drawings for door prizes and games for all the kids to enjoy. Breakfast is catered in and there is a charge for the breakfast so get your tickets before they run out. This is one of the few events that have a cost involved. There is a limited amount of space so if you are planning to attend make sure to make your reservations quickly.

Following breakfast with the Easter Bunny there will be an Easter Egg Hunt. This Easter Egg Hunt is held every year, the Saturday before Easter at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. There are 4 age groups to make sure that all the children get to participate and the start times for the different age groups are staggered so that parents with kids in different age groups won’t miss a thing. The age groups are: 3 and under, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. This is a free event, open to everyone. Celebrate Easter with a great family event! Whether you are a local or a tourist bring your kids to the Pigeon Forge Community Center and have a Happy Easter.

Smoky Mountain Coca-Cola Collectors

If you’re into Coca-Cola, and by that I mean not just sipping on a bottle of Coke at dinner or in front of the television, but the actual signs, collectible bottles, and anything else with the Coke logo on it, you’ll want to be in Pigeon Forge for the Smoky Mountain Coca-Cola Collectors Convention at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center.

It promises to be everything you could ever want it be in a collectors convention. There will be red and white from one end to the other as Coca-Cola enthusiasts shop, trade, beg, barter, and gawk at all the rare Coke merchandise. If there ever was a Comic-Con for Cocoa-Cola collectors, this would be it.

If this sounds anything like you’d be interested in, plan to be at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center in the Smoky Mountains. Who can you expect to come into contact with at the convention? People who have a room in their house specifically for Coca-Cola things, antique show and flea market lovers, and really anyone who is interested in pop culture, etc.

If you yourself are an antiques or collectibles dealer, this is a great show for you no matter how much Coca-Cola swag, aka stuff, you may have. Attending these shows puts you directly in touch with thousands of Coca-Cola collectors. You might even think about joining the Coca-Cola Collectors Club, which puts on these conventions on an annual basis.

The Coca-Cola Collectors Club is for people looking to:

  • Get in touch with thousands of collectors around the world
  • Find markets for buying, trading, and selling collectibles
  • Purchase special merchandise only available to members
  • Monthly newsletter with free classified ads for all members
  • Annual international and regional conventions

If you’re coming for the Smoky Mountain Coca-Cola Collectors Convention in June, reserve a Pigeon Forge cabin, or a luxury Pigeon Forge condo near the convention center for your stay and enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains right off your back deck, or even your front porch.

4th of July in Pigeon Forge

Complete information and schedule for the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge, TN. Get details on all of the free activities for the Fourth of July Patriot Festival in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

If you plan on being in Pigeon Forge, TN for the 4th of July, the town’s Patriot Festival is something you’ll probably want to check out. The Annual Patriot Festival happens on July 4 at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. This will include free concerts and fireworks for the entire family to enjoy. Here’s what to do:

July 4th:
The action starts at Patriot Park at noon with country superstar John Anderson headlining the event that evening. This event is at Patriot Park in the middle of Pigeon Forge… behind the Old Mill. There will be tons of free activities for kids starting at 12 pm, which will be dubbed “Kid’s Karnival”. Other performers that day include Chris Janson, a rising country singer; Rural Rhythm Records siblings and bluegrass band The Roys, hometown favorite Jimbo Whaley & The Greenbrier; The Return – a Beatles tribute band; music from the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus, and the cast of Grand Majestic Theater will give a salute to our country’s Armed Forces.

Food vendors will also be at the event to give you and your family a chance to refuel and enjoy the entire day (the food is one of the only thing at the event that isn’t free). You could also leave the event (since it’s free) and head to one of the best restaurants in Pigeon Forge.

The festivities conclude at 10 pm with an awesome fireworks display that never disappoints. This thing gets bigger and better every year! The location of the fireworks in Pigeon Forge has moved over the years from Patriot Park to an area behind “fast food strip” where McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Arby’s, etc are. Stay tuned for the exact location so that you can get the best possible viewpoint for your family. This will definitely be an awesome way to spend the 4th of July in Pigeon Forge, TN with your family! Be sure to also check out our article on how to avoid traffic in Pigeon Forge.

Also, if you’ll be in Gatlinburg, TN on July 3rd, you might want to see the 4th of July midnight parade in Gatlinburg, which begins at midnight on July 3rd and is considered the first 4th of July parade in the world.

Dollywood’s Polar Express in 4-D

Dollywood’s Polar Express in 4-D has closed. Information below is maintained for historical purposes.

If you plan on going to a Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood this year, be sure you check out the Polar Express in 4-D. Since its inception a few years ago at the ’08 festival, the program has been a rousing success.

Located in the theme park’s Imagination Cinema, the Polar Express 4-D Experience as it’s been called, tells the popular holiday story of the Polar Express, the children who ride the Express, their journey to the North Pole, and all the adventures that happen along the way. And all in 4-D.

The 4-D experience as developed for The Polar Express, takes and uses a 3-D digital projection system that gives the appearance of images leaping off the projection screen. The addition of 4-D effects, means you’ll notice snow falling around you as well as smells like that of hot chocolate.

“This Christmas, I’m inviting families to take a spectacular holiday journey where dreams become real, and everybody knows I dream bigger than just about anybody else,” Dolly Parton said. “On The Polar Express 4-D Experience, all you have to do is believe, and I sure do!”

Like in The Polar Express, all anyone asks is that you go in, eyes open, and BELIEVE!

As mentioned, on The Polar Express a hesitant, but curious young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole – a land of elves, and you guessed it, home to one Santa Claus. This journey shows him the true meaning of Christmas and encourages one to believe no matter how unbelievable some things may be.

The Polar Express 4-D Experience is based the Warner Bros. Pictures film and book by Chris Van Allsburg.

In addition to a winter wonderland of more than four-million holiday lights, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival includes a Christmastime entertainment lineup of Christmas in the Smokies, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, An Appalachian Christmas, Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs, The Victorian Melodies, O’ Holy Night, Carol of the Trees plus the nightly Lighted Christmas Parade, and much much more.

Families can also explore Santa’s Workshop, a magnificent 500-square-foot home away from home featuring larger-than-life-sized toys like a seven-foot-tall sailboat; a 9-foot elephant; a tricycle that stands at 5 feet; an 8-foot-tall dollhouse; as well as a number of other large Christmas toys that you’ll have to see to believe.

12th Annual Yellow Mustangs Show

The 11th Annual Yellow Mustangs how takes place at the Inn at Christmas Place this year in Pigeon Forge.

Information below refers to the 2013 Yellow Mustangs Show.

For car show lovers, Pigeon Forge is a yearly destination unto itself with the spring and fall Rod Runs as well as numerous specialty shows throughout the year. And as one might guess Ford Mustangs have their own show. What might come as a surprise is the yellow Mustang owners do as well every spring.

This year, the 12th Anniversary Yellow Mustangs Show will again be held at the Inn at Christmas Place May 2-5. Just make sure if you decide to participate you have an actual yellow-colored Ford Mustang, or you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. No matter the year, these guys love their Mustangs loud, fast, and in the brightest yellow they can find. It’s a sight to be seen due to the number of participants alone. If you’re gonna be in town that weekend for the event, check out these Pigeon Forge cabins before booking your stay. And for more information on the Yellow Mustangs show, call 1-888-465-9644.

Stringtime in the Smokies – Bluegrass Festival

Complete concert schedule and list of performers with links to official websites and contact information to participate in one of the best bluegrass events in Pigeon Forge, TN – Stringtime in the Smokies!

If you love good ole’ bluegrass music and southern hospitality, then make plans to come to Pigeon Forge, TN August 3 for Stringtime in the Smokies at The Old Mill Square (at Patriot Park – traffic light #7 in Pigeon Forge). The event will be all day Saturday and will feature many great artists. There will also be “jam sessions” after 7:00 pm, so be sure to bring your instruments if you like to pick!

Also, sign up for Saturday’s Old Mill Square Smoky Mountain Cornhole Tournament in memory of Sergeant Brett Benton (co-sponsored with WDVX) followed by an evening of bluegrass performances.

Best of all…the entire event is FREE and completely family friendly, so bring the kids, grandkids, parents, great-grandparents, etc!

Bluegrass Schedule for Stringtime in the Smokies in Pigeon Forge:

Saturday
Smoky Mountain Cornhole Tournament in memory of Sergeant Brett Benton
11:00am
Presented by The Old Mill and Co-Sponsored by WDVX

Competitive Cornhole Teams
(Open Division)
Pre-Registration fee $50 prior to July 19th
$60 after with registration ending Aug. 1 at 8pm
(teams of 2)

Amateur Cornhole Teams
Pre-Registration will be $30 prior to July 19th
$40 after with registration ending Aug. 1 at 8pm
(teams of 2)

Evening Blue Grass Performances:

Grassroots Gringos
6pm

Richard Bennett & Wyatt Rice
7pm

Robinella
8pm

For more StringTime 2011 bluegrass festival in Pigeon Forge, TN information, visit the Pigeon Forge Special Events website or call 865-429-7350.

Christmas in July

If there’s one thing The Inn at Christmas Place knows besides Christmas, it’s how to throw a party, or a big event. As they’ve done in the past, The Inn is putting on their annual Christmas in July event, and this year, it’s packed with Christmas goodies that you won’t find anywhere else in the Smokies this time of year.

It’s Christmas 24/7 at the Inn at Christmas Place as those of you who have stayed there or passed by a time or two know! From the staff to the decorations and decor to the Inn’s menu and just the overall feel, the holiday spirit is never lacking here.

This is the perfect time to start getting some of that early Christmas shopping done as well. Maybe you’re looking for some new Christmas lights to replace your old ones, a new wreath, some ornaments or the latest in holiday music? You’ll find it all here during Christmas in July at The Inn at Christmas Place. Special sections for jewelry, apparel, as well as clearance items highlight the event. We’re talking about everything from a Smoky The Bear ornament to Christmas floral arrangements. Anything you need to make you Christmas one to remember.

For anyone that has booked a stay at the Inn during July, all 31 days of the month will include exciting daily activities and live music in the evenings. Starting at 9am, the lobby will be filled with Christmas characters greeting visitors including the one and only Santa Claus!

During the afternoons from 1-3pm, stop by and participate in a wide variety of holiday classes from bow-tying, to decorating tips, gingerbread houses, cookie decorating and many more. In the evenings, bands and entertainers such as Boogertown Gap, Pea Pickin’ Hears, Hills & Hollow Story Telling and more will be performing in the lower lobby.

Other activities include marshmallow roasting, kid’s crafts, free sno-cones and a Christmas costume parade.

For a full calendar of events, please visit: http://www.innatchristmasplace.com/christmas_in_july.cfm

Dolly Parade in Pigeon Forge TN

Tips and information for the 2012 Dolly Parade in Pigeon Forge, TN. The annual Dolly Parton Parade kicks off the opening of Dollywood in Pigeon Forge…get the inside scoop!

The 2013 Dolly Parton Homecoming Parade in Pigeon Forge, TN will be held on May 10 starting at 6 p.m. Dolly’s Homecoming Parade, or as us locals know it – the Dolly Parade, will travel along the Pigeon Forge parkway between traffic lights 3 through 6 and will feature over 100 different units including numerous marching bands, twirlers, cheer and dance teams, performers from various Pigeon Forge theaters, car clubs, and so much more! The star of the parade is none other than the grand marshal…Dolly Parton! The Dolly Parade is considered Dolly’s homecoming back to her hometown and she often makes surprise appearances the day after the parade at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

This parade is arguably one of the most anticipated and attended family events that is safe, fun, and FREE! If you’re looking for free things to do in Pigeon Forge then this is a great option. The children will experience clowns, animals, music and more that is sure to make them smile, clap, and jump for joy. Then you’ll jump for joy at the money you’re saving while keeping them entertained! You can also find all sorts of coupons for Pigeon Forge to keep the frugal fun going. If you find your children, spouse, or curious bystanders asking, “How old is Dolly Parton?” you can inform everyone of exactly what Dolly Parton’s age is…she was born January 19, 1946, which makes Dolly 67 years old….or young…depending on who you’re trying to flatter.

Insider Tip: The parade route fills up extremely fast with chairs and people well before the Dollywood Parade starts at 6. Either bring some cheep chairs and put them in a spot you want to “hold” or just sit out there with the family…bring a picnic-style lunch, games, and anything else you use to keep your kids happy and you sane. Better yet, if you are staying in a hotel with a road-side balcony between traffic light 3 through 6, you’ll have a GREAT view of the entire parade route. You won’t get the suckers and tootsie rolls that the people on the street get, but at least you’ll be able to use the bathroom any time you feel the need.

Don’t miss the 2013 Dolly Parton Parade in Pigeon Forge and the homecoming festivities at Dollywood!

2013 Spring Grand Rod Run in Pigeon Forge

Information on the massive 2012 Spring Grand Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee including registration info, phone numbers, dates, where to stay, etc during one of the largest car shows in Pigeon Forge…the 2012 Rod Run.

Metal and Chrome will shine on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge April 19th through 21st for the 2013 Grand Spring Rod Run. Cars, cars and more cars! From shiny, chromed-up, vintage models to the unique fixer-upper, there will be cars to look at, cars to drool over and cars to buy. Being one of the largest car shows in the southeast it should not be missed; all gearheads need to attend. With thousands of cars to look at and admire, vendors from all over the country, and a parade of cars on the strip each evening that never seems to end, this is the car show to end all cars shows.

Starting at traffic light No. 3 in Pigeon Forge and running almost all the way down the Parkway, cars are parked in every available parking space facing the road. Literally thousands of cars. My suggestion is park and walk both sides, you don’t want to miss a thing. You can see cars of every description, especially cherry, vintage, American steel: ’58 Corvettes parked next to Model Ts; a ’55 Bel-Air parked next to a ’38 Studebaker Bus. It is a car museum spread out before your eyes. But one of the nicest things is that the owners of these cars will be sitting near them. Look for the lawn chairs near the car and they can tell you everything from where they got it, to what they have done to it and with it. They love to tell the story of their car. Be prepared for humor, heartbreak and high jinks. The cars start rolling in on Tuesday and Wednesday but by Friday the ‘gallery’ is packed. After you have had at least your first fill of the cars go visit the vendors booths.

Each year the Grand Rod Run brings in vendors from all over the country. You will see vendor booths, sponsor booths and demonstrations of all sorts. If you like the mechanical end of the car industry, get ready to spend hours and hours around the vendors booths. From Hunter’s Custom Automotive to Ausley’s Chevelle, Camaro Central to ET Motorgear you will find professionals who know how to keep your car running or how to take your car from nice to fabulous. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and get the answers that may make your car pain your car passion. Once you have gotten your fill from the vendors, head back to the strip.

The parade of cars is continuous but, especially at night, you will get to experience the excitement of the car show. There is an almost constant parade of cars as the owners fire up their machines and cruise the strip. You will see the same cars that you were looking at earlier rumbling up and down the streets of Pigeon Forge. Thousands of pounds of steel, chrome and glass doing what they were meant to do… cruise. The sight is like taking a step back in time. So, journey to the past with the Grand Spring Rod Run in April. Relive those times in the past and share those memories with your family.

It just doesn’t get much bigger nor action-packed than this. The Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run is the first of the big three car shows that literally take over Pigeon Forge every year. The other two car shows are Shades of the Past and the Fall Grand Rod Run. Call it a hat-trick, tri-fecta, or three’s a charm…but these three shows are definitely the ones to see! Add in the Sevierville Spring Corvette Expo & Auction March 22 & 23 and you have classic car lover’s paradise in the Smokies. If you want to be a spectator, participant, or even a car show vendor then we have all of the information you need. Continue reading “2013 Spring Grand Rod Run in Pigeon Forge”