Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Gatlinburg's 27th Annual Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff

November 9, 2016


Gatlinburg will kickoff the 27th year of Smoky Mountain Winterfest with the annual Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff and Winter Magic Kickoff on Wednesday, November 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. City dignitaries will signify the start of Gatlinburg Winter Magic with a ceremonial lighting of more than 3 million lights throughout the city while thousands sample from more than 25 vendors from area restaurants and businesses.


 This year’s event features great musical acts throughout the night performing on multiple stages. Chili Cookoff is happy to announce country music singer Tara Thompson as the headliner. Tara is a featured act in many of Nashville’s premier honky-tonks and has recently been the opening act in front of thousands for her cousin, the Queen of Country Music, Loretta Lynn. She released her EP “Someone to Take Your Place” this year and is expected to release her full-length album later this year. Thompson will go on at 6:15 p.m. on the Bush’s Best Stage at traffic light number 6. Grassabillies will open at 5:15 p.m. The Greenbrier Band will perform four times throughout the night beginning at 5:00 p.m. on the south entrance of the Cookoff near the Historic Gatlinburg Inn. All Sauced Up Hot Chili Eating Contests are at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., and Winter Magic Kickoff lighting starts at 6:00 p.m. on the Bush’s Best Stage.



“We are so happy to celebrate 27 years of Winterfest in Sevier County with Gatlinburg’s Chili Cookoff,” said Mark Adams, CEO/President of Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. “In the nearly 30 years since its inception, Winterfest has proven to be extremely beneficial to the people of Sevier County while also providing one of the best holiday experiences in the South for the guests who visit our area during the winter months.”


Participants in Chili Cookoff will be competing for the coveted People’s Choice Award, Best Booth Presentation and Best Apron. While the street event is free, tickets for chili sampling are $10. There is also a special edition t-shirt available for purchase the night of the event.


 Food vendors serving are Collier Convention and Catering, Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Delauder’s Smoky Mountain BBQ, Dick’s Last Resort, Drafts Sports Bar & Grill, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Great Smoky Mountain Catering Co., Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, Hilton Garden Inn, The Inn at Christmas Place, IX Nubes Vape Lounge, Lil Black Bear CafĂ©, Loco Burro Fresh Mex Cantina, Margaritaville Island Hotel, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Ober Gatlinburg, Paula Deen Store, Puckers Sports Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sensible Concrete Works, Sugarlands Distilling Co., The Melting Pot, and The Popcorn Emporium. Sponsors of Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff are Bush Brothers and Company, All Sauced Up, Food City, and Smoky Mountain Living.


We sure hope you can come visit us during this magical time of year. Call us 865-908-7935 or visit our website at www.berrysprings.com to make reservation to join us in this wonderful and delicious celebration! We will also be all decked out. Hope to see you soon!

Thursday, October 20, 2016

27th Annual Winterfest Kickoff Pigeon Forge

Nov. 8- Feb. 28, 2017


Join us for Winterfest in Pigeon Forge, the nearly four-month celebration of winter in the Smokies. Enjoy the light displays at your leisure on our Winterfest Lights Driving Tour. Pick up your tour guide at the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center at traffic light #0 or at the Fun Time Trolley office in Patriot Park. Winterfest light displays will shine through the end of February.


Winterfest Kick-off
4:00 PM: Kids Area opens up Days Gone By Old Time Games
5:00 PM: Activities start from stage National Anthem presenting of colors: Mayor and City Manager to speak recognize Volunteer of the Year Grace Stottlemeyer

5:15 PM: Count down to lights being turned on *in Patriot Park only immediately followed by 3-4 minutes of fireworks

5:30 PM: Entertainment starts from stage: Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Pistol Creek Catch of the Day & the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus: Note some members of Pistol Creek will be strolling through park earlier entertaining

6:00 PM: FREE Trolley Tour of Lights rides will start
Local Girl Scouts will be selling hot drinks and cookies and we will have Winterfest shirt sales also.

We hope you can visit us during this magical time of year! Please call us at 865-908-7935 or visit our website to reserve your stay so that you too can enjoy the magic of Christmas Pigeon Forge Style. From Sevierville to Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg we light up our town for a few months of winter magic. Here at the lodge we will be all decked out by November 16.
 Hope to see you soon!



Sunday, October 9, 2016

Dollywood Smoky Mountain Christmas

November 5 - January 3

 A seven-time award winner of America's Best Christmas Event, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival presented by Humana, Nov. 5 through Jan. 3, 2016, features four million holiday lights and spectacular holiday performances, including Dollywood's A Christmas Carol, an all-new adaptation of the Dickens classic.
Show's  you will see this year on your visit to Dollywood at Christmas.

It's a Wonderful Life

 

 

 

 

Appalachian Christmas

 

 

 

 

Meet Rudolph and His Friends

 

 

 

 

Christmas in the Smokies

 

 

 

 

 Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs

 

 

 

 

Dolly's Christmas Chapel

 

 

 

 

 O' Holy Night

 

 

 

 

Parade of Many Colors

 

 

 

 

Timber Canyon Festival of Lights

 

 

 

 

 See all of these magical shows and more when visiting Dollywood during the special time of year! Call us now to reserve your room we are only a mile from Dollywood.  We will be all decked out at the lodge November 16 so we hope you can come join us and help us celebrate th most wonderful time of the year! www.berrysprings.com  or call us at 865-908-7935

For more information on Dollywood winter celebration click on the link posted below.

 

 'Twas the Night Before Christmashttp://www.dollywood.com/themepark/festivals/Smoky-Mountain-Christmas