PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (August 2015) – Wilderness Wildlife Week, Pigeon Forge’s 25-year-old annual salute to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and an array of outdoor topics, is moving from January to May. Dates for 2016 are May 18-22 (Wednesday through Sunday), with indoor programs at the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge and outdoor activities nearby […]
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (October 2014) – With five major awards leading the way, the Pigeon Forge (Tenn.) Department of Tourism claimed a near-record 14 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA). Wilderness Wildlife Week received gold Pinnacle Awards as the best green program in the category for events with budgets less than […]
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (October 2014) – Preparations are underway for the 25th presentation of Wilderness Wildlife Week, Pigeon Forge’s annual salute to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and numerous outdoor recreation topics. Dates are Jan. 24-31, 2015. East Tennessee wildlife photographer Ken Jenkins had no idea his suggestion for a winter program about the Great […]
Program visitation at LeConte Event Center totals 27,800 PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (February 2014) – Wilderness Wildlife Week, Pigeon Forge’s annual salute to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and numerous outdoor recreation topics, relocated to the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge the last week of January and set a program attendance record of 27,800. This was […]
24th annual salute to Great Smoky Mountains National Park scheduled Jan. 25-Feb. 1 PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (January 2014) – Wilderness Wildlife Week, January’s highlight event for Pigeon Forge Winterfest, is growing to 320 indoor programs and 55 hikes, excursions and tours into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It also is moving into a new home, […]
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (July 24, 2013) – Pigeon Forge, Tenn., will launch its 24th annual Winterfest celebration Nov. 12 with festivities in Patriot Park that conclude with the illumination of five million Winterfest lights throughout the city and a fireworks display. The lead-up to the evening’s activities will be the city’s third annual Salute to […]
Visitation to Great Smoky Mountains National Park rose to 9,685,828 in 2012. That’s a 7.5 percent jump, making 2012 the biggest year since the 10.1 million visitors in 2000, which remains the record. Park management credited mild weather last winter and spring as a big factor. Every month in 2012 had more visitors than the […]
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (January 2012) – Wilderness Wildlife Week, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.’s, annual salute to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, expanded its reach by attracting visitors from 33 states and the District of Columbia. That’s six more states than in 2011. In addition, travelers from New Zealand, England and Canada also registered their attendance. “The […]