PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (Dec. 30, 2022)—Pigeon Forge’s Wilderness Wildlife Week (WWW) returns to Pigeon Forge for its 31st year Jan. 24-28 with more than 120 individual events and nearly 90 specialists. The five-day event, which celebrates the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, is widely recognized as one of the Southeast’s largest gatherings of nature and wildlife experts.
“Wilderness Wildlife Week is a cherished event among outdoor enthusiasts, but it also appeals to history lovers, kids, and anyone who is interested in our Smoky Mountains,” said Leon Downey, Pigeon Forge executive director of tourism. “We bring the great outdoors inside for the week and hopefully inspire our visitors and residents to get outside all year long.”
This year’s event, headquartered at the Ramsey Hotel & Convention Center, includes wildlife demonstrations and educational sessions, craft classes, Appalachian storytelling and music, plant and flower workshops, photography exhibits, history programs and kids activities. The full program is available at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/wilderness. All events are free to attend.
Acclaimed natural history photographer/speaker and WWW founder Ken Jenkins will be the keynote speaker on Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. presenting the program Wilderness Adventures in the Smokies. Jenkins then will join Judy Felts and friends to host the moving and popular program Heaven & Nature Sing on Jan. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Outdoor excursions of all levels are available throughout the week including hikes, bus trips, Pink Jeep Tour trips and much more.
Throughout the event concourse, nearly 30 exhibits and vendors, including the not-for-profit Cades Cove Preservation Association, East Tennessee Historical Society, and Keep Sevier Beautiful, are open daily during the event beginning at 10 a.m.
This winter celebration of the great outdoors is free and open to the public. For more information, a complete schedule and registration details, visit MyPigeonForge.com.
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About Pigeon Forge: Pigeon Forge is located in East Tennessee, approximately 35 miles from Knoxville and McGhee-Tyson Airport. Two-thirds of the nation’s population east of the Mississippi River lives within a day’s drive, making it an easily accessible family vacation destination. The city’s neighbor is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in the U.S. It also is home to Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park, Tennessee’s most-visited ticketed attraction. More information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge are available at MyPigeonForge.com or toll-free at 1-800-251-9100.