Saturday, April 29, 2017

Sevierville 2017 Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass Festival

May 19 & 20, 2017

BBQ Cookoff & Free Bluegrass Concerts

What do springtime blooms, great barbecue cookin’ and the sounds of Appalachia all have in common? They’ve come together again for the 13th Annual Sevierville Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival taking place this May 19-20, 2017 in downtown Sevierville.

Plan to have a big ‘ol time at this fantastic spring festival and book your vacation cabin at Heartland Rentals now. You’ll probably need both days to take it all in and get your fill of bluegrass music and vocal competitions, State BBQ Competition, and local crafts. The festival is free, the concerts are free, and we hope you are free for the weekend!
Grab your lawn chair and bring it along so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy this great lineup of bluegrass music and diverse entertainers on Court Avenue at the Hard Rock Cafe Community Stage, Back Porch Stage, and Sound Biscuit Productions Stage. You’ll want to head to the backside of the Court House for this free entertainment lineup at the Main Stage:


Friday, May 19
5 p.m. — Hogslop String Band
6 p.m. — The Paul Williams & Victory Trio
7 p.m. — Church Sisters
8 p.m. — Kicked Off the Train – Founding members of Pine Mountain Railroad
Starting at 10 p.m., you can share the stage! Bring your instrument and join picker friends for a late night jam session from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Jam session location TBD.

Saturday, May 20 12 p.m. — Bill Mize
1 p.m. — Mountain Ruckus Band
2 p.m. — Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road
3 p.m. — Kenny & Amanda Smith Band
4 p.m. – The Rigneys Award-Winning Family Band
5 p.m. — Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road
6 p.m. — Kenny & Amanda Smith Band
7 p.m. — Joe Mullins & Radio Ramblers
8 p.m. — Headliner: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Champion Barbecue Barbeque cook teams come to Sevierville from all across the United States to participate in this Tennessee State Championship Competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. Cookers are set up on and off Bruce Street, and the BBQ judging area is stationed on Court Avenue at the Court House Donuts shop. You’ll have a chance to eat and judge a variety of BBQ from cookers that claim to be the best in the nation! If you’ve never tasted award-winning competition barbeque, you’re in for a treat. BBQ not your thing? There will be plenty of other food choices from vendors tents set up on Bruce Street.

During Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass, Sevierville plays host to barbeque cook teams from all across the United States. If you've never tasted award-winning competition barbeque, you're in for a treat.
The Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass Cook-Off is a Tennessee State Championship Competition and is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Gatlinburg 2017 Bush's Bean & Cornbread Festival

May 11, 2017


Gatlinburg Beans and Cornbread Festival presented by Bush Brothers & Company is Thursday, May 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the Parkway between traffic lights 6 and 8.


While the festival is free, attendees can purchase a spoon for $10 and sample recipes from all booths while supplies last and children ages 7 and under can sample for free.


 Of course, visitors will be able to taste plenty of beans and cornbread.  Area restaurants, businesses and caterers will be preparing traditional and original beans and cornbread recipes for tasting while vying for top honors in the cook-off. Bush’s Best will be featured in all the recipes served at the festival.
 
 
Jody Medford with Cash Creek will be there live to perform. Come out and enjoy some good ole southern cooking and enjoy in the festivities. See you there!

Friday, April 21, 2017

27th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week Pigeon Forge 2017

May 9-13, 2017
Leconte Center , Pigeon Forge

A week long celebration of the Smoky Mountains featuring guides hikes, classes, history, art and music. From educational programs designed specifically for the youngsters to guided hikes into the Great Smoky Mountains for the more adventurous folks, Wilderness Wildlife Week offers a variety of programs for all ages and interests.

This spring celebration of the great outdoors is free and open to the public Seminars and workshops are offered daily at the LeConte Center.


Outdoor Excursions Schedule May 9 – 13, 2017 
Tuesday, May 9 (Sign-ups at 9 AM on Tuesday in Greenbrier Hall A) 11 AM – 3 PM: Bush Beans Bus Tour – Steve Lutes 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM: Andrews Bald: Keith Garnes – 3.5 Miles – Moderate Noon – 5 PM: Little River/ Cucumber Gap/Jakes Creek – George Owen – 4.5 Miles – Easy/Moderate 
Wednesday, May 10 (Sign-ups at 6 PM on Tuesday in Greenbrier Hall A) 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM:  LeConte Center Riverwalk Birding Safari – Keith Watson – 1 Mile – Easy 7:30 AM – 5 PM: AT to Charlies Bunion – George Owen – 10.5 Miles – Moderate/Strenuous 7:30 AM – 5 PM: Alum Cave to LeConte – Wildland Trekking – 11 Miles – Moderate/Strenuous 8 AM – 3:30 PM: Behind the Scenes Cades Cove Tour – Mike Meldrum – 3 Miles – Easy 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM: Forney Steam Engine – Mark Snyder – 3.8 Miles – Moderate 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM: Sugarlands Cemetery – Joey Holt – 5.5 Miles – Moderate 10 AM – 4 PM:  American Eagle Foundation/Bush Beans Bus Trip – Norm Kallemeyn  

Thursday, May 11 (Sign-ups at 6 PM on Tuesday in Greenbrier Hall A) 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Seven Islands State Park Birding Safari – Keith Watson – 3 Miles – Easy  7:30 AM – 4 PM: Grotto Falls/Brushy Mountain – Wildland Trekking Company – 6.8 Miles - MS 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM: AT/Road Prong – Jeremy Lloyd – 7.2 Miles – Moderate/Strenuous 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM: Photo Safari of the Smokies – Colby McLemore – Easy 8:30 AM – 4 PM: Andrews Bald – George Owen – 6.5 Miles – Moderate/Strenuous 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM: To the Jumpoff – Mark Snyder – 7 Miles – Moderate/Strenuous 11 AM – 4 PM: American Eagle Foundation/Bush Beans/Dolly Bus Trip – Kathy Gwinn  2 PM – 5 PM: History of Pigeon Forge Bus Tour – Ron Rader 7:15 PM – 11 PM: Cades Cove Loop – Mike Meldrum – 2.5 Miles – Easy/Moderate
 
Local Photographer Featured at Wilderness Wildlife Week
Pigeon Forge, TN. Eric Gebhart  is the photographer we use here at the Lodge for all of our weddings and photography needs. He is the best!
Wilderness Wildlife Week is Pigeon Forge's premier, springtime outdoor lifestyle event. It includes a series of talks, walks, workshops and informative exhibits about the wonders of The Great Smoky Mountains.
This year a new exhibit, In the Shadow of The Smokies will feature Smoky Mountain arts, crafts historical displays and other goods highlighting the people who grew up in The Smokies and the lasting legacy they have left.
The exhibit will also showcase panoramic images of The Smokies by Eric Gebhart. Mr. Gebhart is a nature and landscape photographer who has lived in Sevier County since 2004. He endeavors to initiate the viewers of his work to make a connection with the natural world around them.
Gebhart is best know for his breathtaking, large format, photographic prints of The Smoky Mountains and Southern Appalachia. Fifteen prints up to 4x8 feet in size with such fine detail that viewers feel as if they are a part of the scene will be on display.
Come join in the fun and get back to nature during this week long celebration of outdoor fun. Make sure you tell Eric we said hello! See you soon!

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Dolly Partons's 32nd Annual Homecoming Parade Pigeon Forge

May 5, 2017

 Watch as local entertainers, colorful floats, military veterans, and marching bands make their way down the Parkway in Pigeon Forge to welcome the grand marshal, Dolly Parton, home.


Pigeon Forge’s most anticipated parade usually draws over 50,000 Dolly and Pigeon Forge fans alike, so make sure to get there early to secure a good viewing spot. The parade begins at 6:00 PM and travels from traffic light #6 to traffic light #3.


The Dolly Homecoming Parade is a free event, and has a variety of participants to entertain the entire family.

Enjoy the creatively decorated floats against the backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, and see Dolly Parton in person!

This is our kick off to summer time fun. Come see us and enjoy this wonderful parade lead by the beautiful Dolly Parton herself. You will be glad you came. Hope to see you there!