Moonshine Will Start Flowing in Gatlinburg July 2nd.

Tennessee Moonshine will be available legally for the first time when Ole Smoky Distillery opens for business in Ole Smoky Holler at 903 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. The distillery will have a grand opening celebration on Friday, July 2 and will offer free tours, free samples of moonshine to adults over 21, and moonshine for sale.

Ole Smoky will offer a number of moonshine products: original unaged corn whiskey moonshine, apple pie moonshine, sweet tea moonshine, and peach moonshine. Moonshine cherries will be available for purchase during the holiday season. The Ole Smoky recipes are the product of the hard work and experience of local families who have made moonshine in the mountains for over a century. Dave Pickerell, who served as the Master Distiller for Maker’s Mark for over 15 years, assisted with the refinement of the recipes in order to ensure a superior mountain – made moonshine.

A highlight of the facility is the authentic working moonshine still where visitors will learn the science of the distilling process as well as the history and lore of moonshining in East Tennessee. Ole Smoky is the only distillery in the state dedicated to moonshine products. Proprietors Joe Baker, Tony Breeden and Cory Cottongim place a particular emphasis on celebrating their mountain heritage as well as the historical significance of the moonshine craft in sustaining families during hard economic times of the early 20th century.

“Moonshine played an integral role in the daily lives of families in this region,” said Baker. “Too often, people rely on the stereotype of a backwards old man making a cheap, dangerous product. In truth, a lot of good people made and sold moonshine in order to feed and clothe their families. Without moonshine, many mountain families would not have survived.”

Ole Smoky is the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee, and is currently one of only four distilleries operating in the state. Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel received their licenses before Prohibition, and Prichards Rum opened their Tennessee facility in 1999.

Five Reason to Shop Sevierville This Christmas

Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Sevierville is a shopper’s paradise!

The 12 Days of Christmas can be daunting – especially for overwhelmed holiday shoppers. But popular shopping and vacation destination, Sevierville, Tennessee, can help you make the lords on your Christmas list leap with joy this holiday season. Here are five reasons to shop Sevierville this Christmas season.

1) With over 150 name brand outlet stores, Sevierville is the outlet shopping capital of the Great Smoky Mountains. Check out shopper favorites like Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Center (110 stores ranging from Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach and Old Navy to Kirkland’s and The Disney Store). Now through Christmas Eve shop the 25 days of Christmas sales event.

2) Location, location, location – Sevierville is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is only a day’s drive from over one half the nation’s population. Want an added bonus? It’s right next to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, so your family and friends can enjoy a fun-filled vacation in all three cities.

3) Boutiques and specialty stores abound in historic downtown Sevierville. The Cherry Pit specializes in fabric, patterns and books for quilters and was chosen as one of ten featured shops by Quilt Sampler Magazine. Other downtown gems include gift shops like D Garden and The Common Good.

4) Something old, weird or just plain cool is waiting for you at flea markets like Flea Traders Paradise and the Great Smokies Flea Market. Together, these two flea markets allow you to browse nearly 200,000 square feet of amazing finds.

5) Find the perfect gift for the outdoorsman or outdoorswoman on your list at the all-new Bass Pro Outdoor World (one of the largest in the chain) , Orvis Company Store or Smoky Mountain Knifeworks.Smoky Mountain Knifeworks is an 88,000 square foot knife showplace that includes the National Knife Museum.

A Greener Trolley System Is Rolling in the Smokies

In age where we are concerned with carbon footprints, miles per gallon, fuel cost and saving money in general the City of Sevierville is rolling out a new, greener trolley service.

The electric-propane hybrid trolleys will carry passengers from Pigeon Forge to Sevierville with stops along the route to popular spots that include NASCAR SpeedPark, The Apple Barn, Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Center and Governor’s Crossing Complex. Additionally the trolleys will take guest to the historic downtown Sevierville district where they will find find dining and unique boutique shops.

Trolley stops, that are currently under construction, will be equipped with video screens and GPS tracking software that will display exactly where the next trolley is to awaiting riders and provide more accurate arrival time. The trolley service runs seven days a week starting at 8:30 am and ending at midnight from March to December.

While the new hybrid powered trolleys will be saving the environment, it will be the visitors that will notice a savings immediately. The cost to ride the trolley service is only 50¢ per rider.

For more information about the new trolley service you can visit the City of Sevierville’s website.

The Fall is Full Activities in Sevierville

Around Sevierville fall brings more than rich golden and red leaves to the Great Smoky Mountains – it also brings the annual Harvest Fest celebration.

Sevierville, a gateway town to the Great Smoky Mountains located right next door to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN, is celebrating fall with six weeks of events, harvest decorations and fun things to do during Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival (Sept. 18-Oct. 31). Many Harvest Festival events celebrate the season as well as popular and mountain culture.

Events like Great Smoky Mountain Auto Fest (Sept. 24-26) highlight classic cars while Robert Tino’s Smoky Mountain Homecoming (Oct. 3-4) focuses on the craftsman heritage of these mountains.

The Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival (Sept. 17-19) brings out some of the brightest entertainers to be inspired by these mountains.

Nearby Dollywood is also a Harvest Festival must-see with thrill rides, mountain music, craftsmen and harvest foods like pumpkin bread and hot apple cider.

And don’t forget the shopping! Sevierville is famous for its shopping – from high end outlets to treasure filled flea markets and everything in between. Check out Sevierville for a fall Girlfriends Getaway and enjoy shopping, spas and great dining. Of course, while you’re shopping you can still enjoy the beauty of Harvest Festival, since even storefronts are filled with harvest decorations. Businesses throughout Sevierville put out giant scarecrows, overflowing pumpkin displays and colorful floral arrangements…providing plenty of opportunities for fun photos with family and friends.

For even more fun, visit the attractions in Sevierville. From discovering adventure in the great outdoors at attractions like Wahoo Zipline and NASCAR SpeedPark to shopping till you drop at Tanger Five Oaks Factory Outlet Center and even enjoying a delicious harvest meal at great restaurants like The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, there is something unique to see around every corner in Sevierville. To experience the events, fun and discovery of Harvest Festival in the Great Smoky Mountains, go to www.VisitSevierville.com or call 1-888-SEVIERVILLE (738-4378).

Tennessee’s Sales Tax Holiday is a Great Reason to Visit the Smoky Mountains

There aren’t many opportunities that allow you to take a weekend getaway AND save money, but on the weekend of August 7^th through 9^th you will have your chance. That’s when Tennessee will have it’s fourth annual Sales Tax Holiday.

The holiday begins Friday, August 7 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, August 9 at 11:59 p.m. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on select clothing with a price of $100 or less per item, school and art supplies with a price of $100 or less per item, and computers with a price of $1,500 or less, a savings of nearly 10 percent on exempt items. Visit www.tntaxholiday.com for more information on the holiday. The Tennessee Department of Revenue also assists consumers via e-mail, Salestax.Holiday@TN.gov, and through its toll-free statewide telephone hot line, (800) 342-1003.

For years people have flocked to the outlet malls and shops in the Smoky Mountain area for their vast selection of name brands at famously low prices. Thousands every year make the trip to the area for the bargain shopping alone. Most of the merchants will running special Sales Tax Holiday and Back to School sales during the weekend to make the savings even greater.

“During tough economic times, this tax-saving initiative provides savings for Tennessee shoppers and a much needed boost for Tennessee retailers,” said Tennessee Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr. “We are hopeful that all Tennessee shoppers will enjoy the immediate relief of the 2009 Sales Tax Holiday.”

Travel cost to the Smokies will be lower than last year. Gas prices are much lower than the Summer of 2008 prices. The hotels, cabin rentals, campgrounds and condo rentals will also have plenty of affordable lodging options for all the bargain shoppers coming into the Smoky Mountains for the Sales Tax Holiday. You can stay in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and other parts of the area and still be close to the best shopping options.

All things considered, the average family that is outfitting the kids for school could save enough to cover the cost of the trip and still have money left over to take in area attractions. In a down economy the Sales Tax Holiday, the bargain outlets and affordable lodging can make the summer go out on positive note.