Dollywood Receives “Best Shows” Award From The Golden Ticket

Dollywood took home its first-ever trophy for Best Shows and claimed a second consecutive win for Best Christmas Event at the 2009 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony on Sept. 10, 2009, at LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad.

Dollywood was a finalist in four additional categories, taking third place honors for Friendliest Park and Cleanest Park and fourth place honors for Best Food and Best Water Ride for the Mountain Slidewinder. Dollywood’s Thunderhead, twice named the number one wooden coaster in the world, placed fifth in the rankings of Top 50 Wooden Roller Coasters in the World.

“Congratulations to all of the Golden Ticket Award winners and the finalists on their well-deserved honors,” says Gary Slade, publisher and editor-in-chief of Amusement Today. “The competition is friendly, but the voting is becoming tighter every year. It’s fun to see parks and attractions the world over vying for a Golden Ticket Award, which truly recognizes superior quality in all facets of the amusement industry.”

The Golden Ticket Awards are presented to the “best of the best” in the amusement industry and calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today magazine. Surveys were sent to a database of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans around the world–in balanced geographical regions–asking them to rate the “bests” in 25 categories such as amusement parks, roller coasters, shows, friendliest staff and water rides.

Amusement Today newspaper covers international amusement and water park news and trends and in its 13-year history is a five-time winner of various awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Open nine months a year (March 28, 2009-Jan. 2, 2010), Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit the Dollywood 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).