Pigeon Forge Host the 19th Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival

Truth may be in short supply, but humor and great entertainment will be in abundance in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for a three-day talkfest in June.

June 10-12 are the dates for the 19th annual Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival, one of many stops on Pigeon Forge’s year-round calendar of special events.

The festival, one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 Events” for June, features performers including a Harvard-educated storyteller whose alter ego is a moose, a Kentuckian who got in trouble even as a third-grader for stretching the truth and an East Tennessean who invented a musical instrument made from a toilet seat.

“Storytelling, especially Appalachian storytelling, has a great heritage, and our festival celebrates that tradition to the hilt,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.

In addition to hearing professional storytellers, you’ll also hear from area storytellers who are members of the Smoky Mountain Storytelling Association and from young storytellers who have been invited from across the U.S.

You’ll also be able to attend storytelling workshops. In the workshops, you can simply observe how master storytellers pass on their skills, or you can dive right in and start developing your own talents.

This year’s featured storytellers:

Willie Claflin – Willy’s from California now, but he grew up in New Hampshire, which might explain why he travels with Maynard Moose. Maynard, you see, is the last known teller of Mother Moose Tales. Claflin, who has been a headliner at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., says his off-stage fame comes for “helping save endangered squeaking rubber animals.” His latest recording is “The Goat Whisperer.” Claflin’s the one with Harvard on his resume.

Mary Hamilton – Mary is a daughter of the Bluegrass State who tells Kentucky tales, world folk and fairy tales, legends “and even some true stories.” She’s widely known for teaching the storytelling art to teachers, librarians and speakers, and she’s appeared at festivals from Florida to Oregon. She obviously didn’t take to heart her third-grade teacher’s admonitions to always tell the truth.

Mountain Man Bob – Mountain Man Bob is Bob Phillips from Jonesborough, Tenn. He invented a musical instrument, the modie-harp, which you’ll quickly see is an unusual second use for a toilet seat and lid. Mountain Man Bob tells tales of his own invention, plus some rooted in Appalachian lore. He said he takes pride in the fact that all of his stories are true, “based on the remote possibility that there exists a slim chance of possible fact.”

The young storytellers at the Pigeon Forge festival are participants in the National Youth Storytelling Showcase. At least 15 students from various states are invited to perform. There are categories for grammar school, middle school and high school storytellers, plus a category for duos or groups.

All programs of the Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival will be at the Grand Majestic Theater. Tickets are $10 per day, or $25 for the weekend. The schedule offers morning workshops and afternoon and evening performances all three days. Late-night sessions with a $5 donation benefit the Smoky Mountain Storytellers Association.

Information about all aspects of visiting Pigeon Forge’s website or by calling toll-free to 1-800-251-9100.

“Saddle Up!” Festival Brings Cowboy Poetry, Western Music and Chuckwagon Grub

Cowboy poets, western singers and chuckwagon cooks are just over the horizon from Pigeon Forge, Tenn., preparing for the 10th celebration of Saddle Up!, a perhaps unexpected celebration of cowboy ways east of the Mississippi River.

Saddle Up!, Feb. 25-28, 2010, is the last major component of Pigeon Forge Winterfest, a four-month season of activities that started in November. The entire Winterfest celebration is on the American Bus Association’s list of the Top 100 Events in North America.

Like stars over a clear prairie sky, the entertainment lineup sparkles with Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, R.W. Hampton, Dave Stamey, Ray Doyle and Jeff Gore. Two western swing dances will get guests showing off their best two-stepping techniques.

The pop culture side of the cowboy life will be featured through appearances by James Drury and other stars of “The Virginian,” the 1962-1971 hit TV Western. “The Virginian,” the first 90-minute Western, told the story of the fictional Shiloh Ranch near Medicine Bow, Wyo.

Autograph sessions and question-and-answer opportunities are planned with Drury, Roberta Shore, Gary Clarke and Randy Boone. Drury appeared throughout the series.

A competitive chuckwagon cookoff is another Saddle Up! highlight. Teams of chuckwagon cooks will prepare an authentic trail hand lunch for guests’ enjoyment—and the critical evaluation of judges.

The closing event is Cowboy Church, a non-denominational service preceded by strong coffee and a chuckwagon breakfast.

Admission information: Concert day passes are $20 per day and $50 for the weekend (free through age 17). The chuckwagon cookoff lunch, chuckwagon breakfast and western swing dance are $5. Admission to “The Virginian” event is free.

Biltmore Estate’s Second Annual Flower Carpet Begins August 14

Biltmore will celebrate its renowned landscape history with its second annual Flower Carpet August 14^th through 30^th. On the South Terrace of Biltmore House, more than 100,000 live plants will be installed to create a design inspired from architectural elements found in America’s largest home. The 14,400 square foot carpet display represents months of planning and engineering, and offers guests a unique late summer garden experience.

This year’s design was created by a Biltmore employee and was interpreted from stone carvings and intricate details from around Biltmore House. Most notably, the design reflects a fleur-de-lis motif found on a stone pillar outside the house. These pillars were one of the architectural designs inspired by the Chateau de Blois in the Loire Valley of France. The plants used for the carpet will be Scaevola Top Pot Blue, Salvia farinacea Evolution, Begonia Prelude Rose, Marigold Janie Bright Yellow, Zinnia Profusion Fire, Iresine Purple Lady and Dusty Miller New Look.

“Flower carpets are popular in India. They’re part of a yearly spring celebration on the island of Madeira and they have been perfected in Belgium. We are very excited to be bringing this natural art to our region for the second year in a row,” said Parker Andes, director of horticulture for Biltmore.

A daytime visit to Biltmore’s Flower Carpet is included with the cost of regular admission. Seating will be available on the South Terrace and Library Terrace of Biltmore House, where the view is spectacular. The gardens are open to day guests until dusk.

On select evenings, the estate will open for Flower Carpet Evenings – August 14, 16, 21, 22, 28 and 29. On these special nights, the carpet will be surrounded by the glow of soft lighting, beautiful sunset views and live jazz. Evening tickets are $65, or guests may upgrade from their daytime ticket for an additional charge. These tickets also include a self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Guests with evening tickets may enter the estate after 4:30 p.m. Picnic options are available by reservation online or by phone when purchasing tickets. A wine bar featuring wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase will be available on site as well as a dining concierge that will be able to assist with dinner reservations at an estate restaurant. Restaurants will also be taking dinner reservations in advance.

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.

Gatlinburg Municipal Golf Course Picked as Best in Volunteer State

Gatlinburg Golf Course has been selected as the Best Municipal Golf Course in the State of Tennessee, as published in the August issue of Golf Digest magazine.

Using a combination of star ratings from Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” rankings and the magazine’s “Best In State” ratings, a panel of Golf Digest contributors and editors ranked the “Best Muny Course” in each state.

For this list, Golf Digest defined “muny” as a course owned by a city, town, county or state. Gatlinburg Golf Course received a rating of four and one-half stars out of five in the magazine, rating among the nation’s top courses, with a listed green fee of $60. The list includes nonresident, walking green fees during peak hours. Only one municipal golf course, Bethpage State Park (Black) in Farmingdale, N.Y., site of last month’s U.S. Open, received a rating of five stars, with a green fee of $120.

“Obviously, this is a very prestigious honor for the City of Gatlinburg and our members and residents,” said Gatlinburg Golf Course Manager Rick Tucker. “Golf Digest is recognized as one of the leading voices in the industry and a showcase of the game of golf.”

Gatlinburg Golf Course is open year-round with modern facilities including a brand new, fully equipped pro shop. It was established in 1955 on a 145-acre tract off Dollywood Lane near Dollywood, the Smoky Mountain amusement park attraction. The picturesque 18-hole course was designed by noted golf course architect William Langford. In 1993 and again in 2007, the course underwent major renovations by Bob Cupp and Associates of Atlanta.

“We are very proud of our golf course, Clubhouse facilities, and all the staff at the course,” said Cindy Cameron Ogle, City Manager of Gatlinburg. “We feel our patrons enjoy a memorable 18-hole experience and are very pleased with the recognition received from Golf Digest.”

The Course has always been public and has had only two PGA Professionals – Harry “Cotton” Berrier, a Hall of Fame inductee who retired in 1998, and Tucker, the current director of the Golf Course, which is a Department of the City of Gatlinburg.

In addition to a $500,000 hole renovation project, a new $1.24 million clubhouse opened in 2007, featuring a full-service pro shop and patio deck overlooking several holes. All of the clubhouse’s utilities have been placed underground at the 7,500 square foot facility, which includes modern locker rooms and restroom facilities and is fully handicap accessible.

Acclaimed as one of the most picturesque courses in America with breathtaking views of the Great Smoky Mountains, the course includes the legendary #12, affectionately known as “Sky Hi.” The hole is 194 yards in length and drops 200 feet, tee to green, making it one of the most dramatic holes in the country.

Gatlinburg To Host It’s 8th Annual Ribfest & Wings Street Fair

Ribfest & Wings is moving to the Gatlinburg Parkway for a full-fledged Street Fair on Thursday, April 23.

Gatlinburg’s 8th Annual Ribfest & Wings festival will feature extended hours (4 to 10 p.m., with food sampling starting at 6) and loads of atmosphere as the Parkway transforms into a Street Fair between Traffic Light 6 and Riverside Motor Inn/Reagan Terrace Mall.

Come out and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities and a hot wing eating contest, each promising a lip-smackin’ good time! The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will also be part of the fun.

This year’s event features a mixture of entertainment, spiced up by the smooth Motown music of The Tams, the return of the Beat Daddys featuring their soulful rock ‘n roll blues, and the funky rhythm and blues of Dishwater Blonde on the main stage, supplemented by strolling musicians and a second stage featuring local favorites and familiar sounds of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales performers.

A panel will judge and award the best ribs or wings in seven categories. All vendors will be vying for the coveted “People’s Choice Award” chosen by popular vote.

Hot wing eating contests sponsored by All Sauced Up will take place at 5 p.m. and feature wings prepared in sauces such as “Blazing Bomb,” “Fire Pit Hell,” “Treacherous Tongue,” “Scorching Screaming” and “Next Day Disaster.” Prizes will be awarded to the “Hot Wing Eating Contest Champion of the Year.” See if you can handle it!

“We think this will be our best Ribfest & Wings extravaganza ever,” said George Hawkins, Special Events Manager for the Department of Tourism. “The Parkway is such an exciting and unique venue.”

An armband for Ribfest & Wings may be purchased for $12 (or $5 for kids) that allows sampling until 9 p.m. or as long as the ribs and wings last.

Confirmed vendors include Brass Lantern Grill, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Corkys BBQ, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Bar, Fox & Parrott Tavern, Gatlinburg Elks Lodge, Gatlinburg Fire Dept, Gatlinburg Police Department, Hellbender Grill, Hoggs & Honey’s Saloon, Lineberger’s Seafood Restaurant, Ripley’s Aquarium of Smokies, Smoky’s Pub & Grub, and TGI Fridays,

To enter your recipe as a vendor and compete for awards in categories including restaurant, lodging, attraction, retail, financial institution, public safety and civic organization, call the Office of Special Events at 436-0506.

A portion of the proceeds benefit Gatlinburg Hospitality Association’s educational scholarship fund.

The 8th Annual Ribfest & Wings is sponsored by Coca-Cola, Star 102.1, Food City, Best Western Twin Islands Motel and Hard Rock Café.

For more information about Ribfest & Wings and other Gatlinburg Springfest events, visit Gatlinburg’s website or call 436-4178 for mountains of information.