PIGEON FORGE IS PRIMED FOR THANKSGIVING MERRIMENT, FAMILY GATHERINGS

Shows, restaurants, attractions, outlets, shops ready for visitors

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (November 2009) – Thanksgiving is the quintessential holiday for family gatherings, but not all family gatherings are at someone’s house. That’s one reason Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has become a major destination the week of Thanksgiving.

“Within our city limits are 10,000 rooms, so we definitely can put people up for Thanksgiving trips,” said Leon Downey, Pigeon Forge’s executive director of tourism.

“There are condos, cabins and log homes for families who want to fix their own Thanksgiving feasts, and there certainly are tradition hotel and motel rooms for people who don’t want even to see a kitchen,” he said.

Restaurants including the Alamo Steakhouse, Bennett’s Bar-B-Que, Mama’s Farmhouse, the Old Mill Restaurant and the Pottery House Café and Grill are offering special Thanksgiving Day meals, and the city’s dinner theaters will feed even more visitors.

The dinner theaters join Pigeon Forge’s traditional showplaces (more than a dozen in all) to offer an array of entertainment throughout the holiday period. They offer everything from magic and comedy to country music and Broadway tunes.

Because a four-month celebration called Pigeon Forge Winterfest started in early November, the town is brilliantly decorated for Thanksgiving week—brilliant as in five million Winterfest lights in displays throughout town, plus another four million holiday lights at Dollywood for its Smoky Mountain Christmas festival.

Thanksgiving, of course, marks the official start of the Christmas shopping season, and Pigeon Forge upholds that tradition with six outlet malls and more than 100 specialty shops.

If the weather is cooperative, return visitors know that the outdoor attractions on the Parkway will be open for family activities.

“There’s nothing like an inter-generational miniature golf tournament or a few laps around a go-cart track to create some special Pigeon Forge Thanksgiving memories,” Downey said.

As a special bonus, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge’s next-door neighbor, creates a backdrop for all Thanksgiving gatherings.

Information about all aspects of a Pigeon Forge visit is online at MyPigeonForge.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-251-9100.

Visit NC:Enter to win a holiday getaway to the “Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree” that includes:

• Two night stay at the Richmond Inn Bed & Breakfast in Spruce Pine. Located in a scenic mountain setting, the half-century old Inn is shaded by towering white pines and landscaped with native dogwood trees, mountain laurel and rhododendron.
• Dinner for two at the Knife and Fork restaurant.
• Gift basket from the “Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree”
• Visit to a Christmas Tree Farm, including a gift.
• Two one-year subscriptions to Western North Carolina (WNC) magazine.

Enter To Win!

(one entry per email address)

Sweepstakes Ends November 22, 2009. Taxes and gratuities not included.
See complete listing of Official Rules.

Farm Fresh Christmas Trees - An Old Fashioned Family Tradition

From the Boone and Blowing Rock Area of the North Carolina Mountains, Watauga County, also known as the Choose and Cut Capital, is home to some of the most entertaining and scenic Choose and Cut farms across the region. Choose and Cut involves customers visiting a tree farm and roaming across tree-covered hillsides hunting the perfect tree to take home with them. Choose and Cut is the essential holiday family tradition, where young and old alike can enjoy a day on a real farm. Many farms offer hayrides, farm animals, cookies and cocoa and even Christmas Shops to purchase other holiday gifts. Wreaths and roping are also available to purchase.

Many families visit the same Choose and Cut farm year after year, establishing not only long-lasting friendships but also cherished family traditions that take us back to a simpler, slower pace of life. Countless couples have chosen Choose and Cut as the occasion to ring in an engagement as well as the Christmas Season. Come bring your family to the Boone and Blowing Rock areas in Watauga County. Shop at unique mountain craft stores and visit classic destinations like Dan’l Boone Inn and Mast General Store. Come explore Watauga County and Choose and Cut farms…you’ll be glad you did!

Click on a location on the map for information on the choose and cut growers.

The "Explore Boone Area - Winter Ski Vacation" Sweepstakes

Watauga County and the Boone area offers a picturesque place to escape and relax, as well as an array of exciting outdoor adventure and attractions for the whole family.

There is something for everyone in the North Carolina High Country. Try our thrill-packed 20-lane snow tubing park, ski and snowboard on the slopes at any one of our three sky-high ski mountains, or hike unforgettable scenic trails and then cozy up by the fire after your day of winter fun.

Now, you can win a trip for a Winter Ski Vacation in the North Carolina High Country. The winner will receive:

* Three nights accommodations in a three bedroom/three bathroom “Echota on the Ridge” condo from Foscoe Rentals
* One pair of Atomic Skis
* One UVEX Ski Helmet
* One pair of UVEX Ski Goggles
* Two days of lift tickets at Appalachian Ski Mountain for two adults and two children
* Gift certificate for four to Hawksnest for snow tubing sessions
* Welcome Gift Basket
* $50 gift certificate to Mast General Store
* $250 voucher for food
* $500 travel voucher

Enter today at VisitNC.com! The sweepstakes ends November 30, 2009.

Late Season Fall Color Hot Spots

(CNN) -- U.S. trees are exploding in brilliantly colorful fall foliage this year in many regions, thanks to stellar growing conditions and excellent temperatures, say experts.

In fact, it's still not too late to enjoy the peak of the season in parts of the Southwest and South, according to plant physiologists.

"We have a good mixture of colors this year," said Howard Neufeld, who keeps close tabs on North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains region. Barring any storms that might shake leaves off the trees, Neufeld said, "I think you can get another two weeks for fall color from 2,000 feet down to 1,000 feet."

Read more from CNN Travel

Duggar Family Helps Kickoff Pigeon Forge Winterfest

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (October 27, 2009) – The kickoff event for the 20th anniversary of Pigeon Forge Winterfest on Nov. 5 (Thursday) will feature multiple special guests.

In addition to the expansive Duggar family from TLC’s “18 Kids and Counting” TV show, the kickoff event in Patriot Park will feature Santa Claus—complete with reindeer and a photographer—plus choral, band and dance groups, the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus and bluegrass music from Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier.

“This is the start of a great time of year for Pigeon Forge that is acknowledged far and wide. In fact, the 2009-2010 Pigeon Forge Winterfest is a Top 100 Event in North America, according to travel professionals assembled by the American Bus Association,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.

Activity begins at 4 p.m. with entertainment from several community groups. Comments from civic leaders and introduction of the Duggar family will precede the ceremonial flipping of the switch to turn on the city’s five million Winterfest lights at about 6 p.m.

The Duggars—Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 18 children, plus one on the way—will be in Pigeon Forge for the second time this year. They visited in May for production of two episodes of “18 Kids and Counting.”

Bob Fowler, the Pigeon Forge Special Events Volunteer of the Year, also will participate.

The evening’s featured entertainment, the Pigeon Forge Community Community Chorus followed by and Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier, will cap off the stage presentation.

Santa Claus and his reindeer will add to the festivities. A professional photographer will take pictures of guests with Santa and deliver complimentary photos on site.

Also complimentary that evening are rides on the Fun Time Trolley system’s Trolley Tour of Lights, which showcase Winterfest light displays throughout the community.

The afternoon groups performing are the Elizabeth Williams Dance Troupe, the Pigeon Forge Middle and High School Dance Teams, the Pigeon Forge High School Choir, the Pigeon Forge Middle School Honor Band and the Pigeon Forge High School Marching Band.

Five food vendors will be on hand with a variety of offerings. They will raise money for the American Legion, Pigeon Forge High School, Relay for Life and the Salvation Army.

Information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge Winterfest, including Wilderness Wildlife Week in January and Saddle Up! in February—is online at MyPigeonForge.com.

7 Places to Visit in the Smoky Mountains

Within a short radius of Brasstown along the state lines of North Carolina and Georgia - lies a treasure of daily jaunts for mountain enthusiasts. From shopping to wineries to waterfalls to dining, we have gathered a few of our favorites. Read more