Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain Guide to July 4th Festivities for 2010!

The Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountain regions are active with 4th of July celebrations and festivities. Here is just a sampling of events this Independence Day!

Bryson City NC Freedom Fest
Celebrate the 4th of July in Bryson City with a full day of music, arts & crafts, pet show, kid's area and great music with the best fireworks show in the Smokies. Event takes place all day on Saturday, July 3, 2010.

Cherokee, North Carolina 
July 4th Fireworks

7/4/10
Cherokee Events Center
Contact: Cherokee Welcome Center - (800)438-1601 

Starts at dark

Pigeon Forge’s Patriot Festival
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (June 2010) – Country music stars Diamond Rio and a massive fireworks display will highlight Patriot Festival, Pigeon Forge’s annual community celebration of American independence, and cast members from the Grand Majestic Theater will offer a special salute to veterans.

This year’s Patriot Festival is Saturday, July 3, in Patriot Park. Activity begins at 2 p.m. and continues until dark, when fireworks will light up the night sky over the adjacent Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Seven musical groups will perform through the afternoon and evening, food vendors will add a special flair and a Kids Karnival area will offer games and inflatables to entertain the youngsters.

Diamond Rio, winners of four Country Music Association Vocal Group of the Year awards and members of the Grand Ole Opry, are the headline performing group. Their hits include “I Believe,” “One More Day” and “Mama Don’t Forget To Pray for Me” More music will come from

· Steve Azar, whose country hits include “I Don’t Have To Be Me Until Monday” and “Waiting on Joe”

· Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier, the popular Pigeon Forge bluegrass, country and mountain music group

· TelluRide, a new Nashville group

· Thompson Square, the country-rock husband and wife duo of Keifer and Shawna Thompson

· Grafite, a local four-member pop and rock band, whose members are ages 9-11

· The Pigeon Forge Community Chorus

When dark arrives, fireworks will light things up to the accompaniment of music broadcast on Knoxville radio station WIVK-FM. Admission to all activities is free.

Information about all aspects of visiting Pigeon Forge is at www.MyPigeonForge.com; or by calling toll-free to 800-251-9100.

Fireworks Celebration at Lake Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Lake Marina in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

515 east to Windy Ridge Road (Conoco station & Kentucky Fried Chicken) go to flashing red light turn left, follow Old Hwy 76 to the Marina
Barbeque and live music from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fireworks display at dusk.
For more information, call 706-632-2618

July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA

The celebration begins early and lasts into the night at our annual July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party. We celebrate Independence Day with a day of pure fun. So pack a picnic and sunscreen, round up your friends and family, and head to Callaway Gardens for a spectacular fourth of July! Enjoy live music, circus performances, fireworks and more. Package that includes: Choice of accommodations from our cozy Mountain Creek Inn, secluded Villas, relaxing Cottages to our new luxurious Lodge and a special BBQ Saturday night and a Sunday Red, White and Blue pancake breakfast.

Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala River with NOC.

When the mercury rises, the Nantahala River refreshes paddlers with cool water and mountain mist. See for yourself in this video from early summer 2010 showing both guided rafting trips and self-guided rental raft trips.

The "Best Of The Smokies" Sweepstakes

In the beautiful NC communities of Maggie Valley and Waynesville, adventure is around every bend. From majestic mountains to spectacular waterfalls to the amazing twists and turns of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, there’s no limit to the fun your family can find in Maggie Valley/Waynesville, North Carolina’s gateway to the Smoky Mountains. Now, you can win an amazing three day getaway to this enchanting place, including accommodations, golf, and attractions.

The winner will receive:

* Three days/two nights at the Cataloochee Ranch
* Golf for four at the Maggie Valley Club
* Tickets for four to the “Wheels Through Time” motorcycle museum
* Spa Gift Bag

You’ll even get a $500 travel voucher to get you here!

Enter now to win. The sweepstakes ends June 30, 2010.
Enter To Win! 

Market Yields Value in Mountain Real Estate

The real estate market is heating up throughout the Southeast U.S. We've rounded up a few resources to help you find the best deals on mountain land throughout the Carolinas.

Visit Thomas Valley Estates, just outside of Sylva, Cherokee, and Bryson City. New price reductions starting at just $29,000 bring affordability back in style with estate size lots with these features:

• Beautiful mountain views and pastoral settings.
• Home sites range from 1 acre to 3 acres with pastureland and mountain views.
• Springfed creek, mature trees, tall mountain laurel and rhododendron throughout the property.
• Paved roads provide year round easy access.
• Sensible restrictions to protect property values, maintain privacy and tranquility, and ensure that the beauty remains unspoiled.
• Underground utilities.
• Most home sites with natural grade on gentle rolling, usable land.

• Stunning gated entry provides privacy and security.

Also visit the Waterfront Group,  committed to purchasing, improving and then offering its customers the best possible property the market has to offer, at below market prices.