Held March 14-17 (classes begin Tuesday, March 13) this year, the 2012 Mountain Quiltfest has lots to offer . If you enjoy quilting itself, you’ll get a chance to learn from the best in the world. More than eighty-five sessions for instruction and master classes will be taught at this Pigeon Forge quilt show. There are courses for anyone from the beginning quilter to the long-time master. No matter who you are or how much experience you have in quilting, you’ll love learning from the well qualified, experienced instructors at A Smoky Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

This year, join us for the First Night Sneak Peak at the Music Road Convention Center on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 beginning at 6:00 pm. Instructors, vendors and sponsors will be on hand for questions and to meet your quilting needs. Enjoy a special showing of the quilts and shop for unique items prior to the public opening.

You can register for these quilting classes online at the Mountain Quiltfest website. Classes are first come, first served when it comes to registration, and may fill up quickly! Some entry fees are charged for courses as well, and range from $20-$60, depending on the materials supplied by the instructor. However, it’s worth it when you think about how much you’ll learn.

Learn about everything from designing a quilt to fixing an antique, and get tips on different classic quilt types, as well as table runners and more. Classes start on March 13th, so you may need to get there early. Take a free trolley ride between class sites so you know you’ll be on time.

In addition to classes, quilters will be able to enter their own works in the Smoky Mountain Quiltfest Quilt Show. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are or how fancy or simple your quilt is – you can enter. The only limit is that each person may enter no more than three pieces.

This show is judged professionally. A single viewer’s choice ribbon will be awarded, along with ribbons and cash prizes to other winners. Find the guidelines here: http://www.mountainquiltfest.com/guidelines.pdf and submit your masterpiece!

If you’d like to experience the best that quilting has to offer, A Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is the place to do it. Find out more about this great event at http://www.mountainquiltfest.com, or call 1-800-251-9100. This really is the event for anyone who loves to see, collect, or make quilts.

If you are looking for Pigeon Forge lodging, be sure to check out our list of Pigeon Forge cabins and our list of the best Pigeon Forge hotels. If you would like to stay in Gatlinburg, TN we also have a list of Gatlinburg, TN cabins as well as a list of the best hotels in Gatlinburg.

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A Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge TN

To take advantage of this shortcut, turn onto Wears Valley Road at traffic light #3 and follow Wears Valley Road until you arrive at Lyons Spring Road. Lyons Spring Road is a little more than 9 miles from traffic light #3 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Turn left on Lyons Spring Rd, as you follow the road through the mountain scenery, you will come to a National Park sign before you drive into Metcalf Bottoms. At this point you are in the National Park. Metcalf bottoms has bathroom facilities, streams, picnic tables and hiking trails. It is one of the lesser used picnic areas in the park and is great if you don’t want to fight the traffic or have plans that put you back in Pigeon Forge in the evening. It is great to be able to get to the National Park easily and you can have fun without spending most of your day in the car.

From Metcalf Bottoms you can turn right and go to Cades Cove or turn left to go to Elkmont, Sugarlands Visitor Center or Gatlinburg. Again, this allows you to bypass the traffic in Gatlinburg which, during peak season, can take hours to get through or going through Townsend which can also take a while to get to. This is a great “shortcut”, especially if you are looking for a quick way to the park. Also see Driving Tips for Pigeon Forge.

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Pigeon Forge to the National Park – Driving Tip

Planning a winter getaway to Gatlinburg? We’ll we’ve got just site to help you with your stay, what to do once you get there, as well as coupons and discounts available for area attractions.

Our brother website, Inside Gatlinburg, features reviews, tips, discounts, and other information about Gatlinburg, TN. You’ll find articles featuring some great tips for planning a fall visit to catch the leaves in their peak color, or a winter trip to ski at Ober Gatlinburg. If you plan to visit Gatlinburg or The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, be sure to check out the site for the latest tips to make your vacation even better!

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Taking a Gatlinburg Vacation? Get Tips on InsideGatlinburg.com

The four-day festival includes a variety of entertainment, presented the cowboy way, from cowboy poets to concerts by Western musicians.

The Saddle Cats are back for another go-round at Pigeon Forge's 12th Annual Saddle-Up festival.

“It’s become a really big western-themed event,” said Lila Wilson, Pigeon Forge special events coordinator. “People who grew up watching old western shows and movies seem to really be drawn to the festival, which is now in its tenth year.”

From genuine chuckwagons from the Southeast and beyond at the annual chuckwagon cookoff to Western swing dances, there looks to be something for the Western enthusiast in all of us.

“It’s not that one event is more popular than the next, they’re all pretty popular,” Wilson said. “We bring in the cowboy poets, the western artists and then we wrap up the weekend with a Sunday morning chuckwagon breakfast followed by cowboy church. The chuckwagon cook off is always a big event because each entrant in the cook off competes for prizes.”

With last year’s festival drawing upwards of 2,000 people, Wilson believes Pigeon Forge is likely to see  around the same number of visitors this year.

“People love it, they just love it,” she said. “It’s a niche event and people who are into the old west really turn out for it. It’s an opportunity for people who have fond memories of days gone by when they were kids growing up watching those western shows and reading about cowboys. The excitement is there and we expect a great weekend this year.”

Schedule

Wednesday February 22

10AM-Noon: Dutch Oven Cornbread Sampling
Kent Rollins
Old Mill Square
Free

Thursday February 23

6PM: Intimate Evening Concerts
R.W. Hampton: Partridge & Pear: $50
Stephanie Davis: Mama’s Farmhouse: $40

Friday February 24

10AM: “Stories & Strings” : Smoky Mountain Guitar Shop

Bobby Black
Richard Chon
Stephanie Davis
Ray Doyle
T. Scot Wilburn
David Wilkie
Keri Lynn Zwicker

“Stories & Strings”: $15 includes Chuckwagon sampling

3PM: Concert: Tennessee Shindig Theatre: $15

Andy Nelson
Ray Doyle
Cowboy Celtic
Chuck Pyle
Saddle Cats

7PM: Concert: Tennessee Shindig Theatre: $15

Andy Nelson
Cal Farley Youth Performer
Kent Rollins
Saddle Cats
R.W. Hampton
Stephanie Davis

Saturday February 25

9AM-2PM: Buckaroo Round Up!: Clabough’s Campground:
FREE: Mechanical bull rides and other activities for the whole family
Tickets for Chuckwagon Cookoff lunch: $10

10:30AM: Entertainment Food Tent: FREE

Andy Nelson
Cal Farley Youth Performer
Ray Doyle
Chuck Pyle

Open mic for cowboy poets

6PM: Concert Tennessee Shindig Theatre: $15

Andy Nelson
Chuck Pyle
Stephanie Davis
Cowboy Celtic
R.W. Hampton

8:30PM: Cowboy Dance: Spirit of the Smokies Condo Lodge Ballroom: Featuring Stephanie Davis and the Roadrunners and special guests: $5

Sunday February 26

8:30AM: Chuckwagon Breakfast at Stages West: $5

10AM: Cowboy Church at Stages West

R.W. Hampton
Andy Nelson
Cal Farley’s Performer
And others

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“Saddle-Up!” Western Festival Gears Up for 12th Annual Pigeon Forge Event

If you love the outdoors, then Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge is your dream event. Don’t let the “Wildlife” part fool you…this event covers all aspects of the Great Smoky Mountains and the great outdoors worldwide. The event has grown from a single-day “get-together” to a multi-day expo with numerous classes, vendors, activities, and more. There are hikes, field trips, photography contests, and several classes presented by a long list of experts. Many of the classes and activities are designed for children, so this event is perfect for the entire family. There are various levels of hikes ranging from beginner to expert. These hikes are guided by experts of the area and they’ll show you the best places to explore through the Great Smokey Mountains. I first attended this event in the late ’90s and it amazes me every year to see the number and quality of classes & activities grow. The people that you meet and the things that you learn are simply priceless. Perhaps that’s why this event is free of charge!! That’s right…you can attend the classes and experience Wilderness Wildlife Week for free. Like I said, if you like anything about the outdoors, then you owe it to yourself to attend the Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge, TN.

New for 2012:

*Photography Contest featuring 7 divisions:

– Amateur
– Professional
– Wildlife
– Landscapes/Seascapes
– Youth & Young Adults (ages 17 and under)
– Great Smoky Mountain Landmarks
– Nature’s Wonders in Black & White

Also new to the contest is the implementation of the Judges’ Choice Award.

*Cades Cove Heritage Track – Experts in the history of Cades Cove bring the past back to life with their historical presentation.

*Echoes of the Smokies! Wilma Durpo presents the history of the Great Smoky Mountains.

*Smoky Mountain Heritage Track – A guided history of Pigeon Forge, Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains.

When?
January 7-14,2012

Where?
Music Road Hotel & Convention Center in Pigeon Forge

Official website:
Winterfest Wilderness Wildlife Week

For a brochure outlining all the activities of Pigeon Forge Wilderness Week, call 1-800-WINTERFEST or the Pigeon Forge Office of Special Events at (865) 429-7350.

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Wilderness Wildlife Week

Obviously, people come to the park to ride the train first and foremost. You’ll be taken back to a time when guns and horses were the things men relied on to settle the open plains of the West. Only this time, you’ll take a train through the Great Smoky Mountains. Look out for bandits trying to rob the train in true outdoor drama style. It’s a spectacular Wild West show, and while you enjoy it, sit back and relax on a grand piece of American history. Built in the 1800s, this particular steam engine had been around the country before the people at Tweetsie gained ownership of the nostalgic locomotive during the middle part of the last century.

Live shows also make up a big part of the theme park, in addition to the show on the train. Hop on over to the saloon and you can take part in a live 1800s style saloon show with bar girls, gamblers, bandits, and the like. Stay for the Tweetsie Cloggers, who have been entertaining crowds for years. Roam the streets with the Tweetsie Railroad cast as they pull you into their wild-west story.

Kiddie rides abound at the Tweetsie Railroad theme park. Inline cars, a merry-go-round, planes or any of a number of other rides have been built with children being the sole focus. This is a great time – while the kids are enjoying the rides – for parents, or anyone else to get something to eat in the park. The food is all carnival-type fare, and really good. From cotton candy and caramel apples to ice cream and hot dogs, all are available at the park’s restaurants or food vendors. Just be sure to ride everything you want before you eat.

Whether you’re just there to hop a train ride or sample park food till your heart’s content, you will have the time of your life at Tweetsie Railroad. The Tweetsie Railroad theme park delights thousands of guests each year. You’ll find yourself having more fun then you thought you could ever have in Blowing Rock, NC. Check the Tweetsie Railroad website for operation times before you go because their hours are limited. They are only open during the better weather parts of the year so please plan your visit accordingly. Tweetsie Railroad is a sure-fire, fun time in the Great Smoky Mountains.

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Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, NC

If your plan is to ski while in Pigeon Forge during your next vacation, or Smoky Mountain getaway, then the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort is where you need to be. Ober is the only ski resort in Tennessee, so if you’re looking for more choices best keep on going to North Carolina, or on toward West Virginia. But here in the Smoky Mountains, Ober Gatlinburg is where folks come whether their staying in Gatlinburg, shopping in Pigeon Forge, or visiting Sevierville.

And don’t think there won’t be something for everyone. Ober Gatlinburg is a family ski resort that has a myriad of activities. If part of your family doesn’t ski or snowboard, take a few laps around the ice skating rink, go play in the arcade, take a trip down the alpine slide, the scenic chair lift, and more. Even the older folks have something to do as they can sit by the fire in the lounge or even “people-watch” around the ice skating rink. Ober’s been a Smoky Mountain staple since 1962 when it comes to entertaining family, friends, and even that hard to please uncle, aunt or grandparent.

When you arrive at Ober Gatlinburg you’ll have two options to get you to the top. Guests can either ride the aerial tramway (which happens to be the largest aerial tramway in America) from downtown Gatlinburg, or drive up the mountain on Ski Mountain Road. Simply turn at traffic light No. 9 on the south end of Gatlinburg (closest to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park) and follow the winding road (Ski Mountain Road) all the way to the top…but have cash in hand for parking. A bit of advice – the earlier you go, the better. The are three tiered parking lots and you’ll have a better shot at getting a space at the top near the resort. Otherwise, it’s quick hike from one of the lower decks.

*The snowmakers at Ober Gatlinburg are currently working around the clock when temperatures permit until there is enough base snow to provide a quality product for skiers, snowboarders and tubers for the 2011-12 ski season. Ober Gatlinburg is committed to providing our guests the best conditions for winter sports and plan to open the slopes as soon as possible.

Lift Ticket Rates:
http://www.obergatlinburg.com/wintinfo.htm

Other Attraction Rates:
http://www.obergatlinburg.com/rates.htm

Latest Ski Report:
http://www.obergatlinburg.com/snowrpt.htm

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Don’t Just Stop in Pigeon Forge, It’s Ski Season in Gatlinburg!

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Pigeon Forge Christmas Lights 2011 (photos)

Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights (Jan. 1-13) – Fun Time Trolley Station at Patriot Park. Tours start at 6:30 PM and run Monday – Friday only, costs $5 per person. (865) 453-6444

22nd Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week™ (Jan. 7-14) – Pigeon Forge’s ultimate Smoky Mountain experience, this eight-day, award-winning event with over 200 classes, lectures, workshops and daily hikes into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (865) 453-8574

Titanic’s 2nd Annual Pigeon Forge Regional Ice Carving Competition (Jan. 14) – Titanic Museum Attraction 1-800-381-7670 or www.titanicpigeonforge.com

Behind the Scenes of James Cameron’s Titanic (Jan. 23 – Dec. 31) – Titanic Museum Attraction 1-800-381-7670 or www.titanicpigeonforge.com

February

12th Annual Saddle Up! (Feb. 23-26) – Our celebration of the American West features concerts by western musicians and cowboy poets, a chuckwagon cook-off, cowboy church, western swing dance and more. (865) 453-8574

March

17th Annual A Mountain Quiltfest (March 9-13) – This award-winning event preserves the timeless art of quilting with a quilt show, vendor mall and classes taught by top quilting instructors. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration begins December 2010. For information call 1-800-251-9100 or visit MountainQuiltfest.com

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations (March 24 – April 30) – Dollywood; for information call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com

April

Easter Egg Hunt (April 7) – Pigeon Forge Community Center. 1-865-429-7373

Easter Bunny Brunch (April 7) – Old Mill Square. 1-865-428-0771

Easter Bunny (April 7) – The Incredible Christmas Place. 1-865-453-0415

Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (April 7-8) – For information call Greg Ward at 865-661-3474 or visit smokymountaintrouttournament.com

Grand Spring Rod Run (April 12-15) – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center; for more information call 1-800-251-4444

3rd Annual “Rally in the Forge” Bikefest 2012 – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. 1-800-251-4444

May

11th Anniversary Yellow Mustangs Show (May 3 – 5) – Inn at Christmas Place; for more information call 1-888-465-9644

Southern Pedal Car Show (May 9-11) – Smoky Mountain Convention Center for more info call 1-800-223-6707

27th Annual Dolly Homecoming Parade (May 11) – Grand marshal Dolly Parton leads this parade, a spring tradition that features floats, entertainers, marching bands and more. 6 p.m. (865) 453-8574

Shrine FunFest Parade (May 12) – Pigeon Forge Parkway. Begins at 9am

34th Annual F-100 Supernationals & All Ford Show (May 17-19) – LMC Truck/SUV Parts and Accessories presents the 34th annual F-100 Supernationals and All Ford Show. Lots of great events at this 3-day-long car show including a meet and greet with Sam Memmolo “The Voice of the F-100 Supernationals” The event will take place in the City of Pigeon Forge Municipal Lot. (423) 623-4644, (423) 623-1871, or (423) 465-5855, www.f100supernationals.com

Chevy Classics Car Show – Inn at Christmas Place. 1-888-465-9644

Dollywood’s Barbeque & Bluegrass (May 26 – June 10) – For more info call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com

June

Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show (June 8-9) – Music Road Hotel & Convention Center. (865) 379-9595

All Chevy Supernationals (June 15-16) – LMC Truck/SUV Parts and Accessories presents the all new All Chevy Supernationals III at the Pigeon Forge City Municipal Parking Lot. (423) 623-4644, (423) 623-1871,or (423) 465-5855, www.autoshows.cc

Dollywood’s KidsFest (June 22 – July 29) – Dollywood, 1-800-DOLLYWOOD

July

22nd Annual Patriot Festival (July 4) – Patriot Park. Celebrate America’s independence with food, fun and entertainment. Games, concerts and fireworks round out this free event. (865) 4543-8574

Dollywood Nights (July 30 – Aug. 12) – Celebrate the end of summer at Dollywood with extended hours up until the start of school. 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or www.dollywood.com

August

Tax Free Weekend (Aug. 3-5) – Enjoy tax-free purchases on certain back to school items. Visit tn.gov/revenue/salestaxholiday

Stringtime in the Smokies (August 4) – Old Mill Square

3rd Annual Smoky Mountain Championship Cornhole Tournament (August 4) – Old Mill Square. (865) 428-0771

Pigeon Forge Midnight 8 K Road Race (August 4) – Pigeon Forge Parkway. (865) 607-8717 or www.ktc.org

September

Shades of the Past Rod Run XXX (September 7-8) – Dollywood’s Splash Country. (865) 995-2009 or www.shadesofthepast.com

Grand Fall Rod Run (September 15-17) – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. 1-800-251-4444

Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration (Sept. 28 – Oct. 29) – Dollywood. 1-800-DOLLYWOOD

9th Annual Old Mill Heritage Day (September 22) – Old Mill Square. (865) 428-0771 or visit oldmillsquare.com

Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament (September 29-30) – (865) 661-3474 or visit smokymountaintrouttournament.com

Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Fair (Sept. 29 – Oct. 27) – Patriot Park for more info call 865-909-3446

October

17th Annual Harvestfest (October 1-31)

November

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas (November 10 – December 30) – Dollywood. 1-800-DOLLYWOOD

23rd Annual Winterfest Kickoff (November 6) – Patriot Park.

Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights (November 6 – December 31) – Fun Time Trolley Station at Patriot Park. Tours start at 6:30PM and run Monday – Friday only, costs $5 per person. (865) 453-6444

Old Mill Square Annual Holiday Open House (November 10) – Old Mill Square. (865) 428-0771 or www.oldmillsquare.com

Turkey Strut Square & Round Dance Festival (November 16-17) – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. 1-800-251-4444

Pigeon Forge Community Chorus Holiday Concert (November 18) – For information call 1-800-251-9100 or visit mypigeonforge.com.

December

31st Annual New Year’s Eve Extravaganza (December 31) – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. 1-800-251-4444

New Year’s Eve Celebrations (December 31) – 1-800-251-9100 or (865) 453-8574

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Pigeon Forge 2012 Calendar of Events