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Tuesday, June 24, 2008Pigeon Forge offers unique vacation options
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. -- This summer, make some Smoky Mountain Memories of your own.
Whether it's checking out Dollywood's new $5 million River Battle or tumbling down the side of a hill (on purpose) at Zorb, Pigeon Forge boasts some of the most unique and varied options for vacationing couples, families and seniors.
"Pigeon Forge has fundamental appeal on multiple levels. It's wonderful for families because of the variety of activities. It's great for people who really love the outdoors because our next door neighbor is the most visited national park in the country. It's fun for couples looking for a getaway because there are places you can hide out," said Tom Adkinson, spokesman for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. "Those three attributes alone, laid on top of the fact that it's accessible and convenient -- only 287 miles from Huntington and all interstate highways until you get about 15 minutes from our door."
Most people know about the live entertainment that Pigeon Forge is known for, including more than 70 shows by Lee Greenwood this year and other performers in genres ranging from country to gospel to pop. A varied list of restaurants -- including seafood, steakhouses and hibachis -- grows from year to year. Lodging choices are extraordinary, Adkinson offered, ranging from independent and chain hotels and motels to cabins, chalets and condos that feel private, but still maintain their accessibility to the attractions of the area.
The newest additions to the entertainment scene include family-friendly comedy shows at the Comedy Barn and an elaborate magic and illusion show called "Magic Beyond Belief." A favorite of families is a Biblical production called "The Miracle."
"This is one of the most elaborate shows you'll see anywhere in the country. It's staged in a 1,700 seat theater with a very large cast and 100 animals," Adkinson said. "It's the classic battle of good versus evil and the story of Christ." A new segment at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede features a charging herd of Texas longhorn steers.
And, speaking of Dolly, Adkinson offered, the biggest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee -- Dollywood -- has been growing and expanding nearly every year.
"This year, they have a new $5 million water adventure ride called 'River Battle,' in which the passengers have access to giant soaker guns they can battle with and pedestrians can get into the act as well," he said. "Last year, they added a $17.5 million roller coaster called 'Mystery Mine' that is one of the best in the country."
One of the most exciting additions to the Smoky Mountains is the New Zealand innovation called "Zorb." More details can be obtained at www.zorb.com/smoky.
"It's a silly Web site, but it's the only way to tell a silly story," Adkinson said. "Imagine a beach ball 11 feet in diameter and suspended inside is a beach ball six feet in diameter. If you climb into the inner ball through the tunnel, they'll push you over the side of the hill."
Never fear, though -- those brave enough to try it are either strapped into a harness called a "Zorbit" or enclosed with five gallons of warm water called a "Zydro." Even Adkinson has his "Zorbonaut" certification.
"It's funny to watch and funnier to do," he explained. "It's the only location in North America. You can't do this anywhere else without flying a long way."
If it's less physical challenges you're seeking and perhaps more mental, take the family to "WonderWorks," billed as "an amusement park for the mind." Featuring more than 150 interactive exhibits contained in 55,000 square feet of space, WonderWorks is easy to spot. It's upside-down.
"The building façade is upside-down and inside are all manner of activities. You can get in a simulator and try to land a space shuttle. You can experience an earthquake and a hurricane. You can ride a 360-degree bicycle that if you pedal fast enough will go completely over the bar," Adkinson explained.
Many Pigeon Forge Web sites recommend getting a free Value Card with discounts on lodging, entertainment, shopping, attractions and restaurants before visiting. Visit www.mypigeonforge.com to secure yours.
"One of the reasons we have 11 million visitors every year is because Pigeon Forge is a place of permanence -- you know you're going to enjoy these mountains, but it's also a place of change because we're evolving every year," Adkinson said.
Pigeon Forge offers unique vacation options
May 29, 2008 @ 11:48 PM
By BETH HENDRICKS
For The Herald-Dispatch
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Show All » Pigeon Forge » More Reasons to Stay in Pigeon Forge
Monday, June 09, 2008Pigeon Forge offers unique vacation options
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. -- This summer, make some Smoky Mountain Memories of your own.
Whether it's checking out Dollywood's new $5 million River Battle or tumbling down the side of a hill (on purpose) at Zorb, Pigeon Forge boasts some of the most unique and varied options for vacationing couples, families and seniors.
"Pigeon Forge has fundamental appeal on multiple levels. It's wonderful for families because of the variety of activities. It's great for people who really love the outdoors because our next door neighbor is the most visited national park in the country. It's fun for couples looking for a getaway because there are places you can hide out," said Tom Adkinson, spokesman for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. "Those three attributes alone, laid on top of the fact that it's accessible and convenient -- only 287 miles from Huntington and all interstate highways until you get about 15 minutes from our door."
Most people know about the live entertainment that Pigeon Forge is known for, including more than 70 shows by Lee Greenwood this year and other performers in genres ranging from country to gospel to pop. A varied list of restaurants -- including seafood, steakhouses and hibachis -- grows from year to year. Lodging choices are extraordinary, Adkinson offered, ranging from independent and chain hotels and motels to cabins, chalets and condos that feel private, but still maintain their accessibility to the attractions of the area.
The newest additions to the entertainment scene include family-friendly comedy shows at the Comedy Barn and an elaborate magic and illusion show called "Magic Beyond Belief." A favorite of families is a Biblical production called "The Miracle."
"This is one of the most elaborate shows you'll see anywhere in the country. It's staged in a 1,700 seat theater with a very large cast and 100 animals," Adkinson said. "It's the classic battle of good versus evil and the story of Christ." A new segment at Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede features a charging herd of Texas longhorn steers.
And, speaking of Dolly, Adkinson offered, the biggest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee -- Dollywood -- has been growing and expanding nearly every year.
"This year, they have a new $5 million water adventure ride called 'River Battle,' in which the passengers have access to giant soaker guns they can battle with and pedestrians can get into the act as well," he said. "Last year, they added a $17.5 million roller coaster called 'Mystery Mine' that is one of the best in the country."
One of the most exciting additions to the Smoky Mountains is the New Zealand innovation called "Zorb." More details can be obtained at www.zorb.com/smoky.
"It's a silly Web site, but it's the only way to tell a silly story," Adkinson said. "Imagine a beach ball 11 feet in diameter and suspended inside is a beach ball six feet in diameter. If you climb into the inner ball through the tunnel, they'll push you over the side of the hill."
Never fear, though -- those brave enough to try it are either strapped into a harness called a "Zorbit" or enclosed with five gallons of warm water called a "Zydro." Even Adkinson has his "Zorbonaut" certification.
"It's funny to watch and funnier to do," he explained. "It's the only location in North America. You can't do this anywhere else without flying a long way."
If it's less physical challenges you're seeking and perhaps more mental, take the family to "WonderWorks," billed as "an amusement park for the mind." Featuring more than 150 interactive exhibits contained in 55,000 square feet of space, WonderWorks is easy to spot. It's upside-down.
"The building façade is upside-down and inside are all manner of activities. You can get in a simulator and try to land a space shuttle. You can experience an earthquake and a hurricane. You can ride a 360-degree bicycle that if you pedal fast enough will go completely over the bar," Adkinson explained.
Many Pigeon Forge Web sites recommend getting a free Value Card with discounts on lodging, entertainment, shopping, attractions and restaurants before visiting. Visit www.mypigeonforge.com to secure yours.
"One of the reasons we have 11 million visitors every year is because Pigeon Forge is a place of permanence -- you know you're going to enjoy these mountains, but it's also a place of change because we're evolving every year," Adkinson said.By BETH HENDRICKS
For The Herald-Dispatch
Posted By: Blog Master @ 1:58:55 AMTop
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Tuesday, May 27, 200830 Tips to save money on gas!
The surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories are 30 effective methods of doing so... no need to buy expensive add-on equipment.
ENGINE WARM-UP
1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.
2. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm up... chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.
3. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.
4. Avoid "reving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.
5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.
HOW TO BUY GASOLINE
6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".
7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.
8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.
HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY
9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.
10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.
Buy Now
11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.
12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down", premature wearing of engine parts occurs.
13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.
15.Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.
GENERAL ADVICE
16. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag" on components, wearing them down prematurely. This "dragging" also demands additional fuel usage.
17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.
18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.
19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.
20. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.
21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.
22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.
23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.
24. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!
25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer's specifications for maximum tire pressures.
26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body. Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sun roof helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).
27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.
28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.
29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.
30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.
Posted By: Blog Master @ 5:30:22 PMTop
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Sunday, May 04, 2008Nine Money-Saving Travel
Pigeon Forge, TN – May 2008 – When Americans receive their 2008 Economic Stimulus Act tax rebates—distribution lasts through mid-July—many will earmark some of those funds for travel. Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has a list of nine ways to stretch those dollars for vacationers headed to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Tips from the city’s tourism department include suggestions on finding discounted combo tickets at the city’s numerous theaters, ditching your car upon arrival in favor of a city-wide trolley system and timing your visit to Tennessee’s most visited ticketed attraction (that’s Dollywood in case you hadn’t guessed) so that you get an extra day free.
“Travelers are planning more than ever before. We want people to visit us, so coaching them about their vacation budget is good for everyone,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
Pigeon Forge’s money savers:
1. Park your car and then walk a bit or ride the Fun Time Trolley.
Trolley fare is only 50 cents, and routes weave throughout town. Take the trolley to Dollywood to bypass the theme park’s parking fee. If your lodging is along the Parkway, scores of attractions, shops and restaurants are only a short walk away.
“You’re not burning gas when you’re on the trolley or strolling along the Parkway,” Downey said.
2. Get a Pigeon Forge Value Card.
Discounts on lodging, entertainment, restaurants, shopping, attractions (including the city’s newest attraction, Zorb Smoky Mountains) and even a wedding package are on the Pigeon Forge Value Card. Cards are free and in the Pigeon Forge Travel Planner (available online at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/, with a toll-free call to 1-800-251-9100 and at the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center at Traffic Light #0 near the Miracle Theater and WonderWorks).
Shopaholics can get a real buzz by using the Value Card to get a Belz Bucks Bonus Card at Belz Factory Outlet World or a discount on a pair of cowboy boots at Stages West.
3. Find new discounts on the Web.
New discounts and printable coupons are posted frequently on the tourism department’s official Web site: http://www.mypigeonforge.com/.
4. Get a free day at Dollywood.
Yes, it’s possible with the “Arrive After 3, Get the Next Day Free” program from Tennessee’s most visited ticketed tourism attraction. To get a sense of extra value, visit the park Dolly Parton made famous on Wednesdays and Thursdays, generally the lowest attendance days.
5. Dine efficiently.
Many hotels and motels include substantial complimentary breakfasts with their rooms, and Pigeon Forge’s many condo and cabin developments offer guests the ability to prepare some of their own meals (assuming dishwashing is a satisfactory vacation chore).
6. Snag a Dollywood season pass.
If you’re returning to Pigeon Forge later this year, a Dollywood season pass pays for itself on the second visit. (A one-day adult admission is $50.20, and a season pass is $74. A one-day child admission, ages 4-11, is $39, and a season pass is $60. You do the math.)
“Many Pigeon Forge visitors come in the summer, again in the fall and again for Christmas. If Dollywood is on their agenda, a season pass is a true bargain,” Downey said.
7. Get a theater combo.
There are more than a dozen musical theaters in Pigeon Forge and more than 20 different shows. Look for discounted combo tickets if you want to see more than one show. Also consider a dinner show—food and entertainment all in one purchase.
8. Buy a vacation package.
“Packages save you money. It’s as simple as that,” Downey said of programs that combine lodging, shows and attractions into one purchase. The packagers buy their inventory in volume and get better prices than individuals can. Numerous packages are available at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/.
9. Enjoy Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“The national park is our tourism anchor, and it’s free,” Downey said. It is America’s most visited national park and the largest wilderness area in the eastern U.S. Easy hiking trails, picnic grounds and magnificent scenery are adjacent to Pigeon Forge.
“Pigeon Forge is small in population, with only 5,800 residents, but we’re big in terms of visitors|–|more than 11 million every year – and we want to help our guests have such a good time that they forget about gasoline prices for a while. The tax rebate and our consumer tips might accomplish just that,” Downey said.
Information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge is on the Web at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/ or by calling toll-free to 1-800-251-9100.
Contact:
Lila Wilson
Pigeon Forge
(865) 453-8574
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Sunday, March 23, 2008$114M entertainment complex enters final lap in Pigeon Forge
They drove some laps under caution, but the backers of a high-profile entertainment complex in Pigeon Forge say they're now racing for the checkered flag.
Belle Island Village is a $114 million project that's aiming to entice both silver-screen aficionados and the restrictor-plate-and-superspeedway crowd. Centered around an 18-acre island between the Parkway and Teaster Lane - southeast of Wears Valley Road - the project will be anchored by two star-powered attractions: the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum and the Darrell Waltrip Racing Experience.
When it was announced more than four years ago, backers of Belle Island Village said the attraction would be open for business in the spring of 2005 and represented a $60 million investment. Regulatory issues threw a wrench in that time frame, but while the project's cost has nearly doubled the developers also have beefed up the attraction.
"I've been around a lot of projects and occasionally they slow down … (On this project) the slow-down has helped us," said Tim Macy, a spokesman for the project.
Earlier this month, Macy gave a tour of the site, where a two-story retail and administrative building is already under roof and work is under way on a 130-room hotel.
Hollywood and horsepower
Themed as a 1930s river town, Belle Island Village also will feature three major restaurants, live entertainment stages, an arcade and an attraction featuring otters from the Knoxville Zoo.
Backers say the project is on track for a fall opening, but they'll have to hustle because construction on the two featured attractions hasn't yet gone vertical.
Developer Glen Bilbo, president of Southern Venue Development, said that as the project's opening draws near it will probably have 400 to 450 workers on site. "All hands on deck," he joked.
The ambitious project will have a diverse group of attractions. The Waltrip Racing Experience aims to give race fans an inside look at the world of NASCAR from the track to the garage to the television studio. The highlights include:
n An interactive theater, in which participants can watch a race from the driver's perspective and make driving decisions, using buttons on their seats.
n A "mini-Bristol," where visitors can operate radio-controlled cars at a replica of the famed half-mile oval.
n A mock sound stage that allows visitors to emulate their favorite sportscasters and pretend to narrate the action alongside Waltrip and fellow broadcaster Jeff Hammond.
But while the Waltrip Experience will traffic in the rough-and-tumble world of racing, the Reynolds museum will specialize in glitz and glamour, drawing on the actress' cache of Hollywood memorabilia that's billed as the world's largest private collection. The Reynolds museum will be built in the shape of an old-time steamboat, with interactive exhibits that include video clips showing the memorabilia as it appeared in a particular movie.
At 57,000 square feet of space - and a height of 104 feet to the top of the "smokestacks" - the museum also will include a glass-topped meeting venue that will be marketed as a site for upscale events, including weddings.
Macy said the Waltrip Experience will give fans and non-fans a feel for what NASCAR is like, and said Reynolds - whose resume includes everything from "Singin' In The Rain" to the TV show "Will and Grace" - is an "active, vibrant woman that really transcends old Hollywood to new Hollywood." Throw in the kid-pleasing otters from the Knoxville Zoo, and the goal is to offer something for every tourist.
"I'd say what we're trying to do is hit all ends of the spectrum," said Macy.
Besides Southern Venue, the Belle Island team includes Institutional Realty Resources, whose president, James Dickert, is the primary investor on the project. Bilbo, of Southern Venue, said 60 percent of Belle Island Village will be owned and operated by the group, including the hotel and many of the retail offerings, which will focus on demonstration crafts and specialty shops.
As for the featured attractions, Bilbo said his group will own the Waltrip Experience, and the ex-driver has a contract to make a certain number of appearances at the venue. The Reynolds museum is a joint venture with a non-profit group.
A river runs through it
To do it, though, the Belle Island team had to overcome some significant delays on the regulatory front. John Jagger, Pigeon Forge community development director, said that at one time the island, or a portion of it, was located in the 100-year flood plain and the floodway for the Little Pigeon River.
Jagger said that in the 1980s, engineering work was done that showed how more of the island - which has previously been home to attractions like Porpoise Island - could be developed, and a process was begun to update the Federal Emergency Management Agency maps based on those engineering studies.
The director said that process was pursued to a late stage, but never completed. Instead, he said, the Belle Island team had proposed their idea in conformance with the prior studies, but the map amendment process had to be finished before they could move forward.
One of the major steps taken by the development team was using fill dirt and riprap - rocky fill material that prevents erosion - to raise the island by nearly nine feet in some spots. In order to accommodate the water flows around the island - particularly in a flood situation - the buildings were constructed on a cantilevered foundation that extends out over the lower ground near the waterway, and is supported by dozens of vertical concrete piers.
Macy said that design allowed developers to use an extra 40 feet of property without obstructing the waterway. "You can only have so many stationary impediments to flow, and we're way below that (level)," he said.
The end result will be an island that's jam-packed with retail, entertainment and hospitality options - in the midst of a city and county that also are brimming with high-profile tourist attractions. While Belle Island Village will present more competition for existing attractions like Dollywood, WonderWorks and the Dinosaur Walk Museum, some local observers say more is better.
Jim Calkin is president of the Bridgemont Group, which is working on a 1,000-acre, $850 million mixed-use project in Sevierville that includes entertainment and lodging components.
Calkin said it's obvious that developments compete against each other. "But we do think that competitive type situation is far outweighed by the critical mass that quality developments in the market bring as a whole," he said. "So we're very supportive of the Belle Island development, and the other major developments that have been announced here in the last year or so."
Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, said 80 percent of the people who come to the city are repeat visitors.
"I think with our repeat visitors we have to keep offering those new attractions, and then the businesses have to compete for that dollar … A lot of it'll be up to the Belle Island folks to get people to their front door" Downey said. "But it is new, it is fresh, it is different, which is what we have to have to keep people coming back year after year."
Business writer Josh Flory may be reached at 865-342-6994.
Posted By: Blog Master @ 3:45:04 PMTop
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Sunday, March 23, 2008Springtime tourism activity is ready to roll in Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge, TN – March 2008 – Springtime tourism activity is ready to roll in Pigeon Forge. . . and in a literal sense. For starters, consider these three new “in the round” activities:
- After a soft opening over the winter, this is the first full season for Zorb Smoky Mountains, that peculiar humans-inside-a-giant-beachball-zooming-down-a-mountainside attraction. It’s the latest extreme sport imported from New Zealand and is the only Zorb site in North America.
|
| - Spin City, a high-tech roller skating center with a rink measuring 11,000 square feet, flashy lights and a booming sound system, is ready for its first tourism season. It updates the old question of “how low can you limbo on skates?” to “how low can you limbo on skates while the video camera captures your technique?”
| - Dollywood plans to board the first passengers on a $5 million water adventure ride called River Battle on March 21. As the willing-to-get-wet adventurers navigate a circular river, they aim powerful soaker guns at other rafts and at more than 100 targets along the way—and spectators have soaker guns, too.
Expected to draw major attention is “Rhythm of the Dance” featuring the stunning stepdancing of Ireland. Festival of Nations runs from March 21-May 5 and includes food, music, crafts and other arts as well as the colorful dancers.
Other entertainment news includes the return of Lee Greenwood, winner of multiple Country Music Association Awards, to the Smokies. He has booked 72 shows (36 dates) at the 600-seat Smith Family Theater. Dates are spread from April through December.
More new entertainers in town include a herd of powerful Texas longhorns, the centerpieces of a show’s new opening segment at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede.
A totally new show, “Swing Time,” plans to open in May. It’s a trip back in time to the Big Band era of the early 1940s in the Grand Majestic Theater (formerly the American Jukebox Theater).
“Pigeon Forge’s ever-changing choice of activities is one of its great appeals. Spring 2008 in Pigeon Forge is a fine change of pace for people who have been cooped up for the winter,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
Dozens of Pigeon Forge businesses—hotels, theaters, campgrounds, attractions and restaurants—are participating in a discount program that is detailed in the Pigeon Forge Travel Planner, a publication that can be viewed or ordered online at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/ (toll-free phone 800-251-9100).
Also at the city’s Web site is a list of “Nine Ways To Save on a Pigeon Forge Vacation.” It offers suggestions on coupons, the city’s trolley system and travel packages.
Contact:
Lila Wilson
Pigeon Forge
(865) 453-8574
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Tuesday, March 04, 2008Two new stores coming to Pigeon Forge outlet centers
The old Mikasa location is 8,700 square feet and is between Wallet Works and New York New York.
The Mikasa Store is owned by a French company, Robbins said. It sold fine China for dining and other items. Robbins expects a lease to be signed within a week to 10 days with his leasing company, but he wouldn't say now who the new tenant will be.
"We are in negotiations with this type of tenant," Robbins said.
In addition to the new store, Robbins said that his company had just signed a lease with Chaps Restaurant to open up a 9,000-square-foot eatery next to Bass Outlet store. The restaurant is owned by a local group of investors, he said. Representatives from Chaps could not be reached for comment.
The stores that make up Pigeon Forge Factory Outlets, ZBuda Outlets, and the Red Roof Mall are all parts of discount oriented malls. Robbins said the area will continue to do well despite the economic slowdown because it provides good prices and good bargains.
Another real estate agent who asked not to be named, said representatives of companies have contacted him about available space in the ZBuda outlet center.
It's not uncommon to see some stores close during a slow time of the year.
"It's the nature of business," the unmamed agent said.
n dklein@themountainpress.com
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Tuesday, March 04, 2008Pigeon Forge, TN has won an Emmy® Award
Pigeon Forge, TN – March 2008 – For the second year in a row, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has won an Emmy® Award to showcase in its welcome center. Television advertising for this tourist town next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park earned three Emmy nominations, one of which won the coveted award that is recognized as television’s highest honor.
| 
The award-winning spot featured several Pigeon Forge residents, including Kelly Johnson, a mother of two and a Pigeon Forge restaurateur, and Johnson’s commentary on what makes Pigeon Forge appealing to vacationing families.
Pigeon Forge’s Emmy Awards are from the Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
The commercials were produced for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism by BOHAN Advertising | Marketing in Nashville. BOHAN has been the department’s advertising and marketing agency since 1990.
Emmys for commercial work in the Midsouth region date only to 2004. Pigeon Forge won an Emmy in 2007 for its “Welcome to My Pigeon Forge” campaign.
“As far as we know, no other destination anywhere has won an Emmy Award,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “We’re tickled beyond description.”
The other nominated projects were a spot featuring Dawn Goehring, a performer at the Comedy Barn Theater, and the overall 2007 campaign that included two more commercials.
Geneva Brignolo, executive director of the Nashville/Midsouth chapter said Emmy Awards are “universally recognized as television’s highest honor.”
The Nashville/Midsouth region covers Tennessee, North Carolina (except the Asheville market) and the Huntsville, Ala., market.
Contact:
Lila Wilson
Pigeon Forge
(865) 453-8574
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Monday, February 25, 2008Pigeon Forge Coupons and Discounts
Money Saving Coupons are available for download at The Smoky Mountain Navigator website. You can download or have delivered to your home coopons for attractions, entertainment, shopiing, and so much more. Free Pigeon Forge Tennessee Coupons provided by The Smoky Mountain Navigator Magazine.
Download Pigeon Forge Coupons Here
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Sunday, February 17, 2008Country Tonite Theatre In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
While on your vacation in Pigeon Forge Tennessee, make sure you visit Country Tonite Theatre. This upbeat show has won numerous awards, including "International Country Music Show of the Year." Visitors of all ages will be intrigued by the full-scale multi-million dollar theatre and the superbly talented cast who provides a little of something for everyone.
The two-hour Pigeon Forge show is comprised of a flawless repertoire of patriotic, gospel and country music, both new and old. Your heart will soar with patriotism as you listen to the classic anthems of our proud nation. The entire show is well organized, written and choreographed .The award-winning cast even includes two very young performers.
The dancing is nearly contagious, and by the time the show is over, you´re sad you have to go! Along with singing and dancing, there is also good, clean family comedy that will have the whole family laughing.
Attention to detail is evident the moment you walk in to this Pigeon Forge Theater: from courteous employees, to dazzling costumes, to the tastefully decorated 1,500-seat theatre. As with most of the theaters in the area, there is a fresh and exciting Christmas show to celebrate the season, and even a unique New Years celebration! How better to bring in a new year than with song and dance?
There are many reasons why the Country Tonite Theatre has been voted "Best Show in the Smokies" and "2001-2006 Show of the Year." Come see for yourself… tonight!
Darryl Payne is owner of Stone Oak Web Travel Guide, which offers information on the Country Tonite Theatre In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and more. Visit them online today at http://www.stoneoakweb.com for complete Smoky Mountain vacation planning information. © 2008, All Rights Reserved
Posted By: Blog Master @ 11:33:13 PMTop
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