Sunday, May 31, 2015

40th Annual Independence day Parade & Forth of July Fireworks Gatlinburg


July 3rd & 4th

 Saluting the valiant men and women of our military services, this 40th annual showcase is the “First July Fourth Parade in the Nation!” Parade starts at the stroke of midnight to begin Independence Day. 

  The Parade’s Grand Marshal’s will be women Veterans and other U.S. Heroes. Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder and members of the Women Veterans of America Chapter 20 from Nashville will be representing the Women Veterans.

 

Also featured in the parade will be the 572nd U.S. Air Force Band, Members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard, plus vintage Military vehicles, local public safety agencies, and lots more. The parade will also include police and fire department vehicles, bagpipes, marching bands, decorated and lighted floats, horses, and large balloons for this midnight 4th of July extravaganza. As stated above, some 100,000 people will attend the parade and will start setting up their chairs at about 7:00 am July 3rd, so get there early to reserve yourself a prime seat. To also get the best seats in the house check out the parade route as early as 7:00 am on July 3rd. After attending the parade with your friends and family get some rest for the other 4th of July festivities Gatlinburg offers on this holiday.


 First there is the River Raft Regatta, happening during the day at 12:00 pm. anything inflatable can be entered in, starting at 10:00 am before the float begins at the Christ in the Smokies Bridge on River Road, and ends at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. There are two categories: Trash, which means not hand made, and Treasure which means handmade, with awards going to the top 3 in each category. There is one special award; the “Judges Choice” award and it will go to the most creative raft! And last but not least by any means is the spectacular fireworks display! The celebration will also be held downtown, where it lights up the mountain skyline. So for the 4th of July this year come experience something unique, something truly special and make it down to Gatlinburg!

We hope you are able to visit us during this special event! A time to thank the brave men and women who serve and protect! We thank you each and everyone for your services! This is a wonderful family event! Call us today and make plans on celebrating our independence! We look forward to seeing you very soon!

Friday, May 29, 2015

Free Parkway Trolley Gatlinburg 2015


 Gatlinburg Free Parkway Trolley
 June 13-August 15

If you have ever driven to Gatlinburg then you know that parking is limited. Do not let that keep you from this wonderful city! Traveling by way of the Trolley is a great way to see the town and you do not have to worry about finding parking! There is so much to see and do for the entire family!  So hop in board and come see us! You will be glad you did! 
 It will be even more convenient to travel through Gatlinburg when the City begins offering free Trolley service to patrons along the length of the Parkway.


The free specially painted open-air shuttles will operate from 10 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily June 13 through August 15. Extra stops have been established along the special route to bring the number to 40 along Parkway.


Approximately 800,000 patrons use Gatlinburg’s Trolleys annually, making it the fifth-largest Mass Transit System in the state. It originated in 1980 with only six Trolleys, but the fleet has grown to 20-plus Trolleys servicing approximately 50 miles of Trolley routes.


All Gatlinburg Trolleys are handicap accessible.

You can now hop aboard the Gatlinburg Trolleys all day long for just $2 a day with unlimited access to the Red, Blue, Purple, Yellow and Green Trolley routes. The $2 Pass is sold at City Welcome Centers as well as at City Hall and the Mass Transit Center, plus numerous Gatlinburg lodging facilities.

Routes & Fares
You can board our trolleys at more than 100 locations throughout the City of Gatlinburg. Anywhere you see the Street Trolley sign, you’re just minutes away from climbing aboard.

The Gatlinburg Trolleys are color coded by route. Look for the signs posted on the front and sides of each trolley to ensure you are on the correct route.   
Downtown River Rd
Red Route 
Fare $.50

Red RouteThe Red Trolley Route runs from the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center south on River Road to the Parkway then north on Historic Nature Trail/Airport Road and the Convention Center to Park Vista Hotel. Trolley continues down Cherokee Orchard Road to Baskins Creek, onto Stephens and Newton Lane, and then enters onto the Parkway at traffic light #6. Departures are approximately every 30 minutes.  Fare is 50 cents.  Exact change required.
Downtown Parkway
Green Route
Fare $.50

Green Route
May - November
The Green Trolley Route runs from Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center up Cherokee Orchard Road to Park Vista Hotel, continues down Historic Nature Trail to Parkway and travels south to M&O, River Road and Ski Mountain Road, and then travels north on Parkway to the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center. Departures are approximately every 30 minutes. Fare is 50 cents. Exact change required.
Arts & Crafts Community
Yellow Route
Fare $1.00 All Day

April - December
Yellow RouteThe delightful mini-trolley that services the famous Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Yellow Route can be boarded at the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center at traffic light #5. This Trolley makes the entire eight-mile Glades/Buckhorn Loop. One fare provides unlimited access all along the route. This route is available daily April through October and during November and December the route is available Monday through Saturday.  *Please Note: This route takes approximately one hour to complete. Be aware that it may be as long as one hour before the Trolley returns to each pick-up/drop off point. Fare is one dollar all day. Exact change required.
National Park
Tan Route
Fare $2.00 Round Trip

June - October
Tan RouteThe National Park Tan Trolley Route runs June through October. The route departs from the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center at approximately 9 am, 10:30 am, Noon, 2:30 pm, 4 pm, and 5:30 pm, and runs up River Road onto the Parkway and into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Stops include Sugarlands Visitor Center, Laurel Falls Parking Area, and Elkmont Campground before returning to Gatlinburg. Trip lasts about one and one-half hours. Fare is $2.00 round trip.  Exact change required.
Dollywood
Pink Route
Fare $1.00 Each Way

Pink RouteThe Pink Trolley offers convenient access to Dollywood. Trolley departs from the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center at traffic light #5 approximately every 60 minutes, with stops in Pigeon Forge at the Dollywood Information Center on Parkway and the entrance to Dollywood. Dollywood drop-offs coincide with the park’s opening time each day and pick-ups run one & one-half hours after the park closing time. On dates when Dollywood is closed, the Trolley runs to the Dollywood Information Center following the Operating Schedule at right. From November until late March, the Trolley runs only on dates when Dollywood is open. Fare is $1.00 each way.  Exact change required.
East Parkway & City Hall
Blue Route
Fare $.50

Blue RouteThe Blue Trolley serves the free Gatlinburg Park-N-Ride lot located next to City Hall on East Parkway, and offers convenient access to shops, lodging, and attractions. The route begins at the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center at traffic light #5 approximately every 45 minutes and runs along the Parkway to East Parkway, then to the Gatlinburg Community Center before it returns to the Mass Transit Center along the same route. Fare is 50 cents. Exact change required.
North Gatlinburg Parkway & Welcome Center
Purple Route
Fare $.50

Purple RouteThis popular Purple Trolley route serves the free Gatlinburg Park-N-Ride lot and Gatlinburg Welcome Center located on the Spur/Highway 441 between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The route departs from the Park-N-Ride lot south through the entrance to Gatlinburg and along the Parkway, ending at the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center at traffic light #5 in downtown Gatlinburg. Departures are approximately every 30 minutes. Fare is 50 cents.  Exact change required.
Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights
This Trolley Route departs the Mass Transit Center at traffic light #5 for a 45 minute ride throughout Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic displays three times nightly from November through December (excluding the first Friday in December, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day), and each Saturday night in January, with departures at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 each night of operation. Tickets may be reserved and purchased online at gatlinburg.com/events.  For questions only, please call 865.277.8222.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Gatlinburg's 2015 10th Annual Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales


Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales

 June 12, 2015 - August 1, 2015

 Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying characters from time periods as far back as 1800


On Friday, June 12, Gatlinburg will present the 10th season of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales daily in downtown Gatlinburg through August 1. 


This popular seven-week event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets in walking the city and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.


 “Gatlinburg is a walking town. Tunes & Tales enhances our visitors’ experience as they stroll the Parkway in the evenings.  “The performers bring to life traditional Smoky Mountain heritage and culture in a fun and interactive way.”




The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 6 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling. 

This is a great way to spend the evening walking around downtown Gatlinburg enjoying all the sounds of wonderful music and hearing stories from our story tellers! We hope that you will partake in the special event. If you have never visited during this special time it is definitely one to out on your bucket list of things to do! Call or visit our website and make plans to come for a visit and take advantage of this free event! You will not be disappointed! We hope to see you very soon!

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Dollywood's Great American Summer Pigeon Forge

 Dollywood’s Great American Summer

- 8/2/2015


During this new event Dollywood's operating hours will be 10 AM to 10 PM daily. Every day will begin with a live performance of the Star Spangled Banner and the nights will conclude with a spectacular fireworks extravaganza entitled, Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors. During this event you can experience the park rides like never before! Feel the thrills of riding the Wild Eagle, Thunderhead, Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado and the all new FireChaser Express under the light of the moon.


Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors

Don’t miss Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors, a spectacular nightly fireworks display across the sky above Dollywood.


Synchronized to music, each evening June 13 - Aug. 2 features Paint Your Dreams across the Sky, an inspiring musical crescendo written specifically for the occasion by Dolly, along with other songs that underscore this colorful summertime celebration!
Guests can enjoy the best viewing areas near:
  • Timber Canyon/Wilderness Pass
  • Country Fair in front of Grandstand Cafe
  • Adventures In Imagination between Dolly’s Closet and Dreamsong Theater
  • The Front Gate in front of the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame

Interested in an exclusive fireworks experience?   Enjoy our unique Premium Fireworks Experience for only $15 per person. This offer includes:
  • Premium seating located at SkyZip
  • Popcorn and a bottled drink
Seating begins at 9 p.m. with Dolly's Nights of Many Colors beginning at 9:30 p.m. Take advantage of this special offer and reserve your seats today!

 Make plans to visit with us and Dollywood during this special event! Summer is the perfect time to come visit!  One good thing about staying with here at the Lodge the fireworks show can be seen right from our front porch nightly! So call or visit our website and make your reservations today! We look forward to seeing you very soon!