A recent article in the Mountain Press stated the Dollywood’s new ride, the “Barnstormer”, should be ready by opening day. The ride is reminiscent of the stunts preformed by 1930s bi-plane pilots.
The new ride will accommodate 32 riders at one time and reach a height of 81feet with speeds up to 45mph. The ride is also ADA accessible as Dollywood has taken great strides to ensure those with disabilities can elect to enjoy the park. The “Barnstorms” is the fourth attraction that Dollywood has had manufactures modify so that it would be ADA accessible.
Season pass holders will have the opportunity to try the new ride March 25, with it opening to the general public on the park’s scheduled opening day March 26. Season pass holders will also be able to ride the “Barnstormer” one hour prior to the parks normal opening time in April, as it will be the parks featured attraction that month.
Ah, to be in a mountain cabin during a winter storm with the beautiful snow covered scenery. Sounds nice, doesn’t it. Think twice.
Being one who lives in the mountains here in Sevier County, winter time can be an eventful season. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy where I live and would not want to be in town. I am also prepared for winter as I have four wheel drive with tire chains for all four wheels but many times that vehicle is parked down by the main road as I am hiking up the steep, winding mountain road to our home, due to too much snow and ice.
Is this how I want to spend my vacation, hiking up a snow covered road carry my possessions to find out when I get to the cabin the electric service is out because snow or ice covered trees have taken down the wires? Do I want to listen to my kids complain that they can not play their video games that I drug up the mountain? How are we going to cook with out electric for the stove? No TV?
This is in no way to belittle the fine cabin rental companies in this area. Most are very reputable and try to get you to your cabin. They attempt to get the roads clear and safe, but sometimes that is impossible. The sad thing is, there are few cabin companies that feel it is your problem not theirs; “We can’t control the weather”.
Think about a condo when making that winter getaway. The majority of the condominium complexes locally are in town with city road service and underground utilities. Basically a condo is a cabin in town. Many have indoor pools, game rooms and restaurants within walking distance. Enjoy the shopping, shows and attractions; don’t be stuck on that mountain the one time of the year you can get away with the family.
Celebrate New Years Eve at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies with their 10th annual “Dance with the Sharks”. Join in the festivities as Ripley’s will have 2 bands, Hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast, plus the opportunity for personal souvenir photo to remember the closing out of 2010. At midnight you will be able to enjoy the city of Gatlinburg’s fireworks display as we close out the old and bring in the New Year.
Tickets for this year’s gala are available on-line at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokiesweb site or by calling 888-240-1358.
The Titanic Museum Attraction, in Pigeon Forge, will hold its first annual ice sculpture event on Saturday, January 22nd. Professional ice carvers will start with 250 pound blocks of ice and transform the blocks into works of art.
This free event will be held in the Titanic’s parking lot between 10AM-4PM.
Thanks to the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism for the list of restaurants scheduled to be open on Thanksgiving Day in Pigeon Forge. Please note others may be open but not listed below.
Alamo Steakhouse 4PM-9PM
Baskin Robbins 11AM-11PM
Bennett’s Bar-B-Que 11AM-9PM
Buddy’s Bar-B-Que Noon-9PM
Burger King 6AM-Midnight
Calhoun’s 11AM-10PM
Corky’s Ribs & BBQ 11AM-8PM
Cracker Barrel 6AM-10PM
Denny’s Diner 24 Hours
Flapjacks Pancake Cabin 7AM-Noon
Funnel Cake Factory 1PM-11PM
Geno’s Pizza 10AM-1AM
Golden Corral 11AM-7PM
Happy Days Diner Noon-9PM
Hardee’s 5AM-8PM
IHOP 6AM-2PM
Kentucky Fried Chicken 10:30AM-10PM
Kinaku 2PM-10PM
Krispy Kreme 6AM-11PM
La Carreta 11AM-10PM
Little House of Pancakes 7AM-Noon
Little Tokyo 11AM-8PM
Louie’s Grill 7AM-10:30 AM
11AM-6PM
McDonalds 24 Hours
Mama’s Farmhouse 11AM-9PM
Mel’s Diner 7AM-Midnight
No Way Jose’s 2PM-10PM
Old Mill Pottery House 10:30AM-8:30PM
Old Mill Restaurant 10:30AM-8:30PM
Pizza Hut 11AM-11PM
Ruby Tuesdays 11AM-11PM
Seaton’s Café & Grill 7AM-11AM
Shoney’s 6AM-11PM
Smoky Mtn. Pancake House 7AM-Noon
Starbuck’s 6:30AM-6PM
Star Buffet 11AM-11PM
TGI Fridays 4PM-10PM
Tony Romas 11:30AM-9PM
Wood Grill Buffet 10:30AM-8:30PM
This year The Resort features a synchronized Christmas light display for this year’s Winterfest. The computer generated display, about 18 minutes in length, begins each evening at 6PM and then runs every half hour with the final showing at 9:30PM.
The display is the work of two brothers Nick & Alex Miller. Nick is a freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, and Alex is a senior at Pigeon Forge High School. Nick handled the computer programming and assisted Alex, who has been the troubleshooter for the project, with set up.
The display is free to guests and the general public, with ample parking nearby.
Just minutes from Sevierville in what was the community of Harrisburg sits a 135 year old covered bridge. According to the TN. Department of Transportation the Harrisburg Covered Bridge is just one of four remaining in the state. The other three bridges are located in Bible, Parks and Elizabethton. The Harrisburg Bridge was originally the McNutt’s Bridge, which was destroyed by flooding in 1875. Early Brothers, who relocated to the area after the Civil War, rebuilt the bridge which spans the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River. After many years of being in a state of disrepair the county, with both federal and state funding, repaired and reopened the bridge in December of 2004.
The Harrisburg Covered Bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Shadrack Watersports & RV will again host its Christmas Wonderland at TN Smokies Stadium in Sevierville. This honored Christmas LED light show, synchronized to music of the season, is something for the whole family to enjoy.
Enjoy this nearly one mile long exhibit from the comfort of your own vehicle. Guests will be instructed to tune their radio to the local broadcast as thousands of lights blink to Christmas music. The entire display takes about 20 minutes to view. Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium will open Nov. 12 and run through January 2nd, hours are 6-10PM. For further information, schedule, and rates go to shadrock.com.
Officials with “The Passion Play in the Smokies” announced they are bringing the play to the Smoky Mountain Christian Village in Pigeon Forge. The outdoor drama had been held for many years in nearby Townsend, TN. The Christian Village is off of Goldrush Road across from the entrances to Dollywood and Splash Country.
The drama tells the Biblical story of the life of Jesus. The show features an array of sets, colorful costumes, with dramatic sound and lighting to tell the story of Christ. “The Passion Play in the Smokies” holds the distinction of being one of only eight religious dramas in the country known to be held outdoors according to the UNC Institute of Outdoor Drama.
The play’s show dates are scheduled Sept. 23-25, and 30, and Oct. 1-2 and 7-9. The show starts at 7:30 each evening with the pre-show at 6:30 featuring Christian artist Eye2Sky.
For tickets call 865-640-8903 or visit their web site at www.passionplayinthesmokies.org.
We bring you a few photos of some early arrivals in Pigeon Forge for the 2010 Shades of the Past Car Show. Remember, this year’s show location has been moved to Dollywood’s Splash Country parking lot.
Row of classics ready for the 2010 Shades of the past car show
