PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (August 2012) – Autumn is a time of a colorful transition in the Great Smoky Mountains, but the level of fun and entertainment in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., remains constant. If anything, Pigeon Forge kicks things up a notch.
September special events include two weekends of car shows (the Shades of the Past Rod Run on Sept. 7-8 and the Grand Rod Run on Sept. 14-16), two concerts by Country Music Hall of Fame member Don Williams on Sept. 21-22 and the Sept. 29 start of the Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Show, which attracts artists and craftsmen from throughout the region. It runs through Oct. 31.
You’ll see harvest displays of pumpkins, gourds, hay bales and scarecrows decorating many businesses in September and October, and Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration spices things up Sept. 1-Oct. 27.
Old Mill Heritage Day at Old Mill Square on Sept. 22 harkens back to the pioneer era with demonstrations by quilters and basket makers, a farmers’ market and, of course, millers at work grinding flour and cornmeal.
For the very active set, the inaugural Smokies Half-Marathon, 5K and Fun Run are Sept. 30, with action starting and ending at Old Mill Square – and Ray Stevens will sing about a different kind of streaker at two shows on Oct. 26.
While autumn color usually hangs on in the mountains through much of November, it is this month when the city dresses up for Pigeon Forge Winterfest.
Five million colorful Winterfest lights pop on Nov. 6 and will light up each night through February 2013.
The 2nd Annual Salute to Veterans Parade precedes the Winterfest Kickoff event on Nov. 6 in Patriot Park. Pigeon Forge invites everyone to join this salute to the men and women of America’s military.
Dollywood, of course, is a big part of Pigeon Forge Winterfest, and it adds millions of lights of its own when Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas launches. It continues through Dec. 30.
Go to MyPigeonForge.com for information to help plan a visit, call 1-800-251-9100 for a chat or visit with the staff of the Pigeon Forge Welcome Center while in town. It’s at Traffic Light #0.
Tom Adkinson, APR
615-341-8796