Summertime Kickoff With Bluegrass & Fun This Memorial Day Weekend At Fontana Village

Fontana Village Resort. Fontana Dam, NC- Fontana Village has a full week of Memorial Day festivities planned. There will be crafting classes during the early week by Claudia Huntington in the Outdoors Program building and daily activities and fun scheduled by the Village recreation staff. The activities really kick up on Friday with scenic boat tours of Fontana Lake from the marina, historical film and commentary about the construction of Fontana Dam, mini golf tournaments and karaoke contests in the Wildwood Grill in the evening.

On Saturday, some of Western North Carolina’s micro-breweries will be doing tastings on the porch of the Wildwood Grill. Saturday activities include ping pong tournaments, basket and bead classes, scenic boat tours on the lake and scavenger hunts for the kids. Members of the musical act Fontana Sunset will be conducting a banjo and guitar workshop for music aficionados before walking onto stage with Frances Mooney at 6pm for an evening of bluegrass. A veteran bluegrass musician for over 40 years, Frances Mooney has been recognized with multiple nominations for Best Female Vocalist and Best Bass Performer by the SPBGMA and IBMA. This crowd pleasing band features driving rhythm and power vocals with gorgeous melodies and harmonies. This free concert will be outside on the huge porch of the Wildwood Grill overlooking the Village and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The hayrides will be full of revelers traveling around the Village during the concert and there will be a campfire and marshmallow roast next to the Gunter Cabin on the Village Green at sunset.

Guests can enjoy the food of Chef Carl Ecklund and his staff at the Wildwood Grill for his special Memorial Day weekend BBQ menu that will include a classic holiday picnic menu of hickory smoked pork and beef briskets, St. Louis style pork ribs, southern style coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, fresh grilled burgers & hot dogs, and homemade desserts.

Everything will still be in high gear on Sunday for activities guests couldn’t fit in on Friday or Saturday. The Ice Cream shop at Fontana’s General Store will featuring an old fashioned ice cream social, sidewalk chalk art fun and other activities for the family. Across the street on the Village Green, the Stone Creek Pool and Lazy River will be hosting a cardboard boat build and race in the lazy river. Francis Mooney and Fontana Sunset return Sunday with dobro and bass workshops in the afternoon and another evening concert from 6pm until 9pm.


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For additional information on Fontana Village and other upcoming events at Fontana Village, contact Darlene Waycaster at the contact information listed below or visit Fontana Village online at http://www.fontanavillage.com/ .

Contact:
Darlene Waycaster
Fontana Village Resort
Tele. 828.498.2104
Fax: 828.498.2209
Email: darlene.waycaster@fontanavillage.com
Website: http://www.fontanavillage.com/

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Locales include babbling creeks, peaceful mountain settings, on a mountain top, or in the quiet woods. The nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Deep Creek, Fontana Lake or the Nantahala River Gorge provide plenty of outdoor activities and plenty to do.

Fathers Day in Virginia

When it comes to swinging a bat, riding a bike, or tying that first fly, there's no one like dear ol' Dad. Show him some love this Father's Day and check out these Father's Day events in Virginia

The High Country "Choose Your Journey" Sweepstakes

In North Carolina's High Country, there's a story for every journey. Up here, the vistas are breathtaking, the activities are plentiful, and the summer breezes are cool! Now, you can win a journey of your own to this enchanting corner of the Blue Ridge, and you can even pick your own accommodations! Choose between two nights in a deluxe two-bedroom condominium at the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, or three nights in a beautiful room at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites or the Broyhill Inn in Boone.

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Pigeon Forge Parade Marks Silver Anniversary of Salute to Dolly Parton

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (May 2010) – Pigeon Forge’s annual springtime salute to hometown superstar Dolly Parton has a special aura this year, and the name tells it all. May 7 (Friday) is the date of the Dolly Parton 25th Anniversary Homecoming Parade.

“Interest started bubbling up as early as January,” said Sherri Kirby, special projects coordinator for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “People really want to be part of a silver anniversary.”

This is the 25th year of operation for the Dollywood theme park and the 25th parade honoring Parton, which the City of Pigeon Forge produces.

A color guard from Boy Scout Troop 110 will lead the way along a 2.5-mile route on the Parkway. Behind the Boy Scouts will be more than 100 floats, bands, equestrian clubs, twirler groups, dance teams and other parade units.

Of course, the most anticipated float will carry Parton, who grew up just a few miles outside of Pigeon Forge and is the namesake of Dollywood, the area’s largest seasonal employer and Tennessee’s most visited tourist attraction.

The theme for the 2010 parade is “Celebrate the Dreamer in You.”

Marching bands from Pigeon Forge High School and Sevier County High School, Parton’s alma mater, are among the music providers, while Shrine groups from London and Shepherdsville, Ky., and members of the Red Hat Society will add their special flair.

Entertainers from many of Pigeon Forge’s theaters will ride on special floats. Other entrants include the Knoxville Zoo, Zorb Smoky Mountains, the Foothills Antique Tractor and Engine Club and a Wells Fargo stagecoach.

The parade will start at 6 p.m. at Traffic Light 6 and end at Traffic Light 3.

“Each year’s Dolly Parton Homecoming Parade is a grand celebration of what’s great about America. It’s Pigeon Forge’s way to publicly thank Dolly, and it’s also a way to celebrate family, neighbors and fun,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.

Complete information about Pigeon Forge is available online at MyPigeonForge.com or by calling toll-free to 1-800-251-9100.

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Contact:
Tom Adkinson, APR
615-341-3640
tadkinson@bohanideas.com