Jun 29
2010

From the days as Rebel Railroad to Silver Dollar City to what we now call it today, Dollywood continues to grow and become the premier destination of the southeast. It’s old enough to rent a car now and its still reinventing the way one has fun in the Smokies. So it’s no surprise that there will be a major special based on the theme park on the Hallmark Channel this Saturday! Special guest stars include Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus, Kenny Rogers and– Of course– Dolly herself. I’m sure there are other surprises in the show waiting for you and I, so I suppose we’ll have to tune in (Or DVR!) to find out!

The Hallmark Channel will be airing 25 years of Dollywood on Saturday, July the 3rd at 8:00 PM EST with a repeat showing at 11:00 PM EST. Go to the Hallmark Channel’s website for more information!

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Jun 24
2010

Looking for a something a bit different from the norm of a Smokies Vacation? Well, here you are! George Barris, a Master “Kustomizer” (The K is designated by him) of cars for himself, clients and multimedia (Such as the original Batmobile!) will be at Hollywood Star Cars this weekend signing autographs and being around for a tribute to Michael Jackson. The King of Pop died one year ago on Friday and Hollywood Star Cars has his 1985 Mercedes 500 SEL that George Barris worked on in the building. If you’re a fan of pop culture or just like customized cars, you may want to check this out! 

 You can read the article at the Knoxville News Sentinel’s Website for more information. George Barris will be at Hollywood Star Cars in Gatlinburg Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM.

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Jun 21
2010

The first day of Summer has come and gone! Hope you guys spent the day enjoying the extra sunlight (Or at least staying away from the extra heat. Phew!)

It’s not much longer now until the summer really kicks off in the Smokies with the Fourth of July also! If you’re deciding to travel down during the holiday, you got a couple of good choices for parties to attend:

  • Pigeon Forge’s Annual Patriot Festival is hitting its 20th year and will sure to be a blast! Festivities start on July 3rd at 1 PM and go into the night. It’s right behind the Old Mill (Light Number 7.) Look for the large crowd of people having a good time!
  • Gatlinburg’s Midnight Independence Day Parade is the earliest you can celebrate your patriotism anywhere in the country! Expect everything from floats going though downtown Gatlinburg, a concert from the 129th Army Concert Band and, of course, the fireworks.

Of course, more updates to come as we find out more. There’s lots to do in the Smokies at all times of the year, but it’s certainly hard to not beat a good fireworks show!

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Jun 8
2010

I40 has been open since late April and everyone knows it now, but there’s still a little bit more work that needs to be done!  You can take the route, but there may be some delays coming into Tennessee. Take some special consideration this summer to make your trip as smooth as possible:

  • I-40 going westbound (Into Tennessee) has one lane closed for a few miles next to the state border. This normally will cause some delay, but take care during Holiday weekends, such as with the July 4th weekend we have this year. I myself got stuck for about an hour around Memorial Day weekend. Results may vary, but make sure you don’t leave at the usual travel times if you’re coming into Pigeon Forge via I-40
  • If you’re trying to beat the rush on Sunday morning to go back to North Carolina, keep in mind that there may be some helicopter fly bys which will stop traffic for thirty minutes. If you’re unsure if one is scheduled, the  i40 rockslide twitter is a great place to go to find out up to date info.
  • As the road may be one lane going into Tennesseee, be extra cautious on night travel through the windy roads. Be wary of trucks.

More info can be found a NCDOT’s page on the situation. Drive safe!

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Jun 3
2010

From June 5 – 13 this year, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close the Elkmont entrance road to motor vehicles for the viewing of the annual occurrance of fireflies synching in unison. One of the few sites in the United States where one can view such a sight, Elkmont is known for its large gathering of fireflies for a short time and is certainly a site to behold.

While there is no definite reason why fireflies convene in this spots to undergo what is called phase synchronization, it is believed to possibly involve the diet and social interaction of the beetles. While motor vehicles will be barred from entry, trollies will regularly go up to the site for a $1 round trip. If you’re looking for a cheap way to have an unforgettable evening, look no further!

Read More: Click here to Read More…

Source: National Park Service



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