Sevierville should start seeing the classic cars roll through town on their way towards the Parkway in Pigeon Forge around April 10. The 2012 Grand Spring Rod Run is slated for April 12-15. From shiny, chromed-up, vintage models to the unique fixer-upper, there are cars to look at, cars to drool over and cars to buy. It’s a can’t miss event for every kind of gearhead.

Starting at traffic light No. 3 in Pigeon Forge and running almost all the way down the Parkway, cars are parked in every available parking space facing the road. Literally thousands of cars. You can see cars of every description, especially cherry, vintage, American steel: ’58 Corvettes parked next to Model Ts; a ’55 Bel-Air parked next to a ’38 Studebaker Bus. One of the nicest things is that the owners of these cars will be sitting near them. Look for the lawn chairs near the car and they can tell you everything from where they got it, to what they have done to it and with it.

Right behind the cars will be the vendors. Vendor booths, sponsor booths and demonstrations are just part of the weekend. From Hunter’s Custom Automotive to Ausley’s Chevelle, Camaro Central to ET Motorgear, all the big companies are there. Get the answers that may make your car pain your car passion, then head back to the strip.

Things get even more exciting at night. There is an almost constant parade of cars as the owners fire up their machines and cruise the strip. The rumbling up and down the streets of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville is continuous. Thousands of pounds of steel, chrome and glass doing what they were meant to do… cruise.

The Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run is the first of the big three car shows that literally take over the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge-Sevierville area every year. The other two car shows are Shades of the Past and the Fall Grand Rod Run. If you want to be a spectator, participant, or even a car show vendor then we have all of the information you need.

Cruisin’ the Parkway during the 2011 Spring Rod Run:

Pigeon Forge Spring Grand Rod Run Information:

When: April 12-15, 2012
Where: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Official Spring Grand Rod Run Registration for participants as well as vendors
http://www.etmotorgear.com/library/grfly_1199898743.pdf

• Participants:
  30 Days Before Event = $30
  Within 30 Days of Event = $40
• Vendors:
  Outside Space (9×16) = $135
  Inside Space (10×10) = $155
  Sales Corral = $75

For more information about any of the Grand Rod Runs, contact:
MCS Promotions
865-687-3976
Monday-Friday 8am – 4pm EST

Hotels associated with the Pigeon Forge Rod Run:
(This is not a recommendation of these hotels…these are simply the places affiliated with the event. To see our recommendations, visit our list of the best hotels in Pigeon Forge)

Grand Resort Hotel (Host Hotel)
3171 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-453-1000 or 800-251-4444

Family Inns of America – West
3114 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
865-453-4905

Family Inns of America – East
3785 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, Tenn
865-453-5573

Family Inns of America – North
3239 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, Tenn
865-453-7151

Family Inns of America – South
4112 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, Tenn
865-453-5549

Family Inns of America – Twin Malls
2647 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
865-429-2244 or 800-251-4444

Grand Inns of America
3206 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-453-0056 or 800-247-8282

Smoky Shadows Motel and Conference Center
4215 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
865-453-7155 or 800-282-2121

Again, For more information about the Spring Grand Rod Run or the Fall Grand Rod Run in Pigeon Forge, contact:
MCS Promotions
865-687-3976
Monday-Friday 8am – 4pm EST

For a list of all car shows in Pigeon Forge, be sure to check out our Pigeon Forge Car Show Schedule. You may also want to see our list of the best places to stay in Sevierville as well Sevierville cabin rentals. Also check out the best restaurants in Pigeon Forge and some of the finest Sevierville restaurants. Finally, if some shoppers are coming to town with you, score some points and give them our list of the best coupons for Pigeon Forge.

Have fun and enjoy the Spring Grand Rod Run 2012 in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee !

Article from Inside Sevierville, TN - Sevierville Coupons, Hotels, Cabins, Reviews, News and more.

The Grand Spring Rod Run

It only happens twice a year, so if you’re a lover of original American muscle, you won’t want to miss the Corvette Auction & Expo. The Corvette Expo in Sevierville features a large auction, indoor/outdoor swap meet, sales corral, Corvettes’ Cruise and a competition show! And it’s all open to the public starting at 10 a.m. Saturday the 23rd.

Last year, thousands of spectators came through the gates of the Events Center to see the 75-plus show cars, 114 auction cars, and a whopping 550-odd vehicles in the Sales Car Corral! Over 250 vendors setup booths both inside and outside.

The Corvette Expo & Auction is the perfect family-oriented show. With so many things to do in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Dollywood – just minutes away, this show is the perfect family getaway…and for all you gearheads, it’s just another excuse to take that hot rod out of the garage to show off!

The Corvette Expo & Auction is just one of the many classic car shows in the Sevierville area this spring, all leading up to the Grand Spring Rod Run in Pigeon Forge. Looking for a place to stay while you’re in town? Check out the best Sevierville cabin rentals, as well as Sevierville restaurants and the full Sevierville Calendar of Events.

The expo has actually been ongoing for over 30 years now, just not in Sevierville. The first Corvette Expo was held at Knoxville’s Chilhowee Park in March of 1977 before moving in 1980 to the Bill Mullins Exhibition Center in East Knoxville. The fall show in 1983 was held at the Knoxville Convention Center. Then, in the fall of 1987, the show shifted yet again to the Knoxville Auto Auction out west. In 1988, the event returned to Chilhowee Park, where the Corvette Expo enjoyed a 19-year run before moving to the new Sevierville Events Center.

For more information about the spring Corvette Expo & Auction, call 865-687-3976 or go to corvetteexpo.com.

Fall 2011 Corvette Auction & Expo video:

Article from Inside Sevierville, TN - Sevierville Coupons, Hotels, Cabins, Reviews, News and more.

Spring Corvette Expo & Auction

That’s why Sevierville is ready to get things started going in that direction. Sevierville’s Smoky Mountain Springfest celebration begins mid March and continues through June 7. People can witness the town’s transformation into spring when the streets are lined with baskets of beautiful blooming flowers and plants. Pansies, daffodils, tulips, bougainvilleas, and wave petunias are among the many varieties of flowers that will be seen throughout town.

Marked as the beginning of springtime in the cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, Springfest is a 3 month celebration packed with events like the Mountain Quiltfest, Great Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Show, the Dollywood Parade, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations, Ribfest & Wings, the Spring Grand Rod Run, Bloomin BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, the Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, Gatlinburg’s Scottish Festival & Games, and many more.

As you can see, Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass is just one of many exciting events. From shopping events to baseball games to car shows and helicopter events, Smoky Mountain Springfest will be in full bloom in Sevierville.

Outside Sevierville, on Easter morning, April 8, join in the local tradition and attend Ober Gatlinburg’s 14th Annual Easter Sunrise Service. Free tram rides to the mountain top begin at 6 a.m. and continue in 15 minute intervals until the service begins at 6:30 a.m. Complimentary parking at the resort will be provided for those who prefer to drive. A breakfast buffet will be waiting and available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant from 7 a.m. Until 10:30 a.m.

Members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community will display unique handcrafted wares as they gather at the Gatlinburg Convention Center to host their annual Easter Arts & Crafts show April 4-7.

The smell of hickory-smoked barbeque will fill the air as folks roll up sleeves and dive in to sample their secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from vendors from all over the Southeast on Thursday, April 26 at Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings. This festive street party features live entertainment, lots of fun and barbeque ribs and wings on the open grill just for your tasting.

The 63nd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage & Greener Living Expo, set to run April 25-29, is another great event, especially for hikers and nature lovers who love to see delicate wildflowers in bloom. Hosted by the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the University of Tennessee Botany Department, this five-day program offers more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and delightful motor excursions into the wonderful season of spring in the Smokies.

To learn more about these and other events in Gatlinburg, call 800-56-VISIT (568-4748) or visit the Gatlinburg website at www.gatlinburg.com.

Article from Inside Sevierville, TN - Sevierville Coupons, Hotels, Cabins, Reviews, News and more.

Smoky Mountain Springfest 2012

Original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, North Carolina.

With locations all over the Smoky Mountains, the Mast General Store is not only a fun step back in time but has become a traditional stop for visitors as they trek through the Smokies.  Whether it be candies (which President Barack Obama was looking for during a recent stop at the Boone, NC Mast General Store), beverages, food, clothing or items to decorate the home that you maybe searching for, the Mast General Store is a great “shopping point” as you plan your next adventure in the mountains.

The Mast General Store’s origins go back to its first store in Valle Crucis, NC.  The store was opened by Henry Taylor in 1883 who eventually sold a half interest in the operation to W.W. Mast in 1897.  In 1913, W.W. bought the other ownership half. His vision for the store was for it to become a place where all his neighbors in the Valley could shop for anything they might need.  Thus, the moniker: “If you can’t buy it in the Mast General Store, you don’t need it.” arose around in Valle Crucis.  From plows to nails, cradles to caskets, W.W.’s store carried it.

The Mast General Store was eventually sold to an Atlanta doctor and an Appalachian State University professor in 1973. The National Register of Historic Places also honored it as “one of the finest examples of an old country general store.”  Since then, The Mast General Store has grown and expanded by leaps and bounds.  The Valle Crucis store is still the most rustic.  Walking through the store, this is a building that has been added to and patched up over the course of more than a century.  The floor boards have seen thousands of people of this valley trek through as they purchased the items needed for daily life in Western North Carolina.

Locations:

• Valle Crucis, NC – established 1883
• Boone, NC – established 1989
• Waynesville, NC – established 1991
• Hendersonville, NC – established 1995
• Asheville, NC – established 1999
• Greenville, SC – established 2003
• Knoxville, TN – established 2006
• Columbia, SC – established 2011

The Valle Crucis location still has the bins of nails and bolts that were used a the business’ onset, as well as the same counters that have served customers for almost the entire time they have been in operation. Meanwhile, the merchandise has been updated so that you can also buy gear for your next hike. The newest location in Knoxville, TN has one of the best selections of outdoor clothing and accessories in the area with boots, outer wear, backpacks, sleeping bags and tents all available for purchase, and located just minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Boone store’s Main Street locale is nestled in beside some of the best local shopping and restaurants you’ll find on that side of the Smokies.

No matter what Mast General Store you’re in, they all have a few things in common.  Kids will be able to buy glass bottle sodas from antique-style soda coolers much like your parents and grandparents did when they were growing up. Bins of candy align part of each store, ready for shoppers to fill their own bag with. Others will find those home decor items and cooking utensils that were once mainstays in the kitchen of yesteryear but have been replaced by newer technology.  From tablecloths to toys, tin signs to kitchen tools, the Mast General Store is more than just a regional store; it’s a glimpse into a forgotten way of doing business and is truly a Smoky Mountain treasure.

Article from Inside Sevierville, TN - Sevierville Coupons, Hotels, Cabins, Reviews, News and more.

Mast General Store

Brown and his wife, novelist Jeanne McDonald, co-authored the book which follows three families who are prominent in the serpent handling faith. As a journalist, Brown spent 16 years following the faith and getting to know many who practice it in order to accurately tell their stories.

“Fred Brown has an unparalleled knowledge of East Tennessee and ability to relay a story,” says Sevierville Chamber special projects facilitator and event organizer Carroll McMahan. “I feel certain he will deliver a memorable address comparable to the outstanding remarks last year from Lyn Bales.”

A working journalist for 45 years, Brown is retired from The Knoxville News Sentinel and is a member of the Scripps Howard Hall of Fame. He is also a recipient of the Tennessee Associated Press Managing Editor’s Malcolm Law Trophy for Feature Writing and the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship in Journalism at the University of Michigan.

Other confirmed writers for the Rose Glen Literary Festival include Robert Allen (retired FBI Agent) and Steve Watson (retired TBI agent) who are co-authors of “The Perry’s Camp Murders” as well as J.C. and Margaret McCauley, co-authors of “Growing Up in Cade’s Cove”.

Other authors include Greg Johnson (“Sanctuary”), Cathy Wilhem (“Inside the Darkness, a Walk Through Grief”), Ersa Rhea Smith (“Flying Bullets and the Resplendent Badge”), Emma Catlett and Glenna Julian (“Kodak Historical Cookbook”), Laura Long Martin (“A Beautiful View: Reflection on Bluff Mountain by Matriarch Marian Oates”), Veta King (“History of Pigeon Forge” and “Images of America, Pigeon Forge”), Lyn Bales (“Natural Histories” and “Ghost Birds”), Mary Phillips (“Booger: A Tall Tale”), Eric Ball (“Blue Mountain Mist Cookbook”), Donnie Lamon (“Riding to Newport”), Dr. Bruce Wheeler (“A Mountain City in the New South”), Jack Hodge, Arthur McDade (“Smoky Mountain Days” and “The Natural Arches of Big South Fork”) and Steve Cotham (“Great Smoky Mountains National Park”).

There is an $18 charge for attending the keynote luncheon, which includes a gourmet chicken pot pie lunch, a gift from The Old Mill Pottery and an opportunity to win door prizes. Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. There is no fee to attend the other workshops during the day. To reserve your tickets, call Carroll McMahan at (865) 453-6411.

Article from Inside Sevierville, TN - Sevierville Coupons, Hotels, Cabins, Reviews, News and more.

Writer Fred Brown Headlines the Rose Glen Literary Festival at Walters State in Sevierville

The 24th Annual Smoky Mountain Home Show is back and better than ever February 3-5 at the Sevierville Events Center (202 Gists Creek Road) at Bridgemont.

Sponsored by the Sevier County Home Builders Association, the Smoky Mountain Home Show will take you through a beneficial maze of new home and existing home products.  There will be displays of the latest products available from the home remodeler to the new home builder to the home decorator.

Event-goers can gather the latest tips and gain insightful advice from experts, specialists, and skilled professionals only found at the Smoky Mountain Home Show.

You’ll also be able to purchase the latest innovations in a number of categories including: Appliances, Architecture & House Design, Awnings & Shutters, Bathrooms, Brick & Stone, Builders, Cabinetry, Childrens’s Fun & Furnishings, Concrete Repair & Resurfacing, Decks, Decoration Items, Doors & Windows, Energy Saving & Environmental, Fencing, Fireplaces, Flooring, Furniture & Accessories, Garage Doors, Gutters, Health & Exercise, Heating & Air  Conditioning, Entertainment & Home Theatre, Home Loans & Financing, Home Remodelers, Insurance, Interior Design & Decorators, Internet Services, Kitchen Cookware & Utensils, Kitchens, Landscaping, Lawn & Garden, Lighting, Marble & Tile, Offices, Organizing & Storage, Outdoor Living, Paint, Paving & Surfaces, Pest Control, Pet Care, Plumbing, Pool & Spa, Real Estate, Roofing, Satellite Equipment, Screens, Sunrooms, & Patios, Security Systems, Siding, Solar Equipment, Waterproofing, Water & Air Purification, Window Treatments & more.

Show hours:
Friday February 3, 2012 – 2:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday February 4, 2012 – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Sunday February 5, 2012- 10:00am to 6:00pm

Where can I purchase my tickets?
Tickets will be sold at the Home Show or through attending exhibitors.
$7.00 @ Door

Are refreshments available during the show?
Yes, refreshments will be available through concession.

Is parking available?
Yes, FREE parking.

Article from Inside Sevierville, TN - Sevierville Coupons, Hotels, Cabins, Reviews, News and more.

Smoky Mountain Home Show

For all you planners and trip advisers, we’ve posted the average daily temperatures below as well as a link to find the current weather conditions and forecast in Sevierville, Tn:

Average temperatures in Sevierville, TN

Insider tip:
Get weather and road condition information in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN by calling:
Using your cell phone in TN: 511
Nationally: 1-877-244-0065
Locally in Pigeon Forge: (865)436-1200

Article from Inside Sevierville, TN - Sevierville Coupons, Hotels, Cabins, Reviews, News and more.

Winter Weather Has Arrived in Sevierville

If you’re in Sevierville for New Year’s Eve, head on over to Gatlinburg for the area’s most spectacular New Year’s display.  Gatlinburg’s space needle in the middle of downtown is where all the action takes place around 11 pm Friday. Vendors will be handing out free party favors such for everyone who chooses to brave the crowds downtown in search of a memorable close to 2010. At midnight the ball will drop from the top of the space needle and fireworks will light up the night as everyone in the streets celebrate New Years in Gatlinburg, TN.

While you’re sure to see the show from the street, some of the best vantage points are from the balconies of hotels on the opposite side of the street from the space needle – that’s if you can secure a room. But don’t worry, there are also a handful of parking garages in the area that are good spots if you can get up top. Just look for the top of the space needle and you’ll be fine. If you are planning on driving out of Gatlinburg that night, park along River Road or on either end of town. Try not to park downtown… the closer you get to the space needle, the more likely you’ll end up staying the night.

More Gatlinburg info:
Local Phone: (865) 430-4148
Toll-Free: 1-800-588-1817

Have a blast and HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us in Sevierville, TN!