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Magic and illusions that make children and adults alike gasp with wonder at the Magic Beyond Belief production.
Two band members of the Tennessee Shindig show portrayed the Blues Brothers at a recent show.
Fall festivals to holiday celebrations: Head to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for year-round fun
A young Elvis tribute artist at the Tennessee Shindig who gives an amazing performance that takes you back decades to when The King was alive.
Top-notch dancing, comedy and music at Country Tonite where Bubba the Redneck Ranger continues to delight audiences.
Tim McGraw, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tom Jones and Elvis all taking the same stage at Memories Theatre which features wonderful tribute performers.
These are just a few of the shows found at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where theaters line the parkway. It would take visitors weeks to check out all of the wonderful entertainment offered at the East Tennessee town. On a recent four-day visit, we went Magic Beyond Belief, Tennessee Shindig, Country Tonite and Memeories Theatre, as well as spending some time at Dollywood.
Located just a few hours away, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., provides a wonderful year-round travel destination for North Georgia residents. It’s great for a weekend-trip or a week-long adventure. Musical shows, shopping galore, putt putt and a theme park are just a few of the things to fit into your schedule during a visit. Pigeon Forge is also an affordable family vacation destination that offers something for all ages.
Special events and celebrations are held throughout the year. It’s always a great time to visit Pigeon Forge. Winterfest kicked off on Nov. 5 and will be featured through February.
MAGIC BEYOND BELIEF
Magic Beyond Belief features Terry Evanswood, a wonderful illusionist and magician. Evanswood does close up slight of hand magic which led to him winning a prestigious Merlin award, the top prize for magicians.
“Some of the most beautiful mysteries of magic are the most simple,” Evanswood said during a recent performance.
The two-hour show also includes a dramatization of the last days of Harry Houdini’s life and Evanswood recreating Houdini’s famous escape from a straight jacket.
For more information, go to www.PigeonForgeMagic.com.
TENNESSEE SHINDIG
The Tennessee Shindig is a wonderful family show that will delight guests of all ages. Uncle Bud Beasley kicks off the show with this country welcome, “We’re pleased as pecan pie to welcome you to the Tennessee Shinddig.” His humor is sprinkled throughout the show and is always a delight. He even makes the birthday and anniversary announcements funny.
The first part of the show is a tribute to Tennessee music — from Memphis to Nashville. The rich musical history of Tennessee is told through songs.
The second half is on the “Times of Tennessee” and features music from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Elvis performer Cody Slaughter is featured prominently in the second half of the show and does a great job. He has the moves and is natural as he shakes his hips and moves all around the stage. He not only sounds like Elvis, he also looks so much like him.
For more information, go to www.TennesseeShindig.com.
COUNTRY TONITE
It’s easy to see why Country Tonite is the most award win¬ning show in the Smokies. It’s the humor of Chan Mullinax, better known as Bubba the Redneck Ranger. It’s the talent and energy of the amazing singers and dancers. It’s the multi-talented musicians, led by the wonderful Mike Caldwell, who leaves you in awe at his skill on the harmonica. It all adds up to two hours of entertainment that will leave you tapping your feet, clapping your hands and cheering.
Country Tonite, which has been a favorite of visitors to Pigeon Forge for more than 10 years, has always been known for its youth performers. This season is no exception with Skylar and Cassie being the two youngest entertainers on the stage. They show great versatility with several songs where they are the featured performer.
For more information, visit www.countrytonitepf.com.
MEMORIES THEATRE
Memories Theatre features Lou Vuto as Elvis, as well as several other tribute artists. When we went to the show, artists portraying Tim McGraw, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Tom Jones were featured. They were all great and did a wonderful tribute to the artists. It’s amazing how much they look and sound like the original artists.
The second half of the show features Lou Vuto performing several Elvis hits. He changes the show nightly in order to give guests a reason for returning again and again. The tribute artists also change every few weeks.
For more information, go to www.memoriestheatre.com.
DOLLYWOOD
Dollywood has over 130 acres of rides, entertainment, craftsmen, shops and restaurants. Dollywood is also home to five of the South’s largest festivals each year — the Festival of Nations, KidFest, Dollywood’s Barbeque and Bluegrass festival, National Gospel and Harvest Celebration and Smoky Mountain Christmas.
The annual Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration will be held Nov. 7 through Dec. 30. It includes special holiday shows and arts and crafts, as well as thousands of festive lights and decorations.
For more information, go to www.dollywood.com.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Other attractions that are great for family vacations include:
•Dinosaur Walk Museum has more than 50 life size dinosaur exhibits, as well as 20 reptile exhibits. Children and adults will be amazed at their realistic sculptures. It gives visitors a great perspective on just how enormous some of the dinosaurs were. For more information, go to www.dinosaurwalkmuseum.com.
•Elvis Museum with costumes, cars, jewelry, guns and sports that belonged to Elvis on display. It’s the largest collection of licensed Elvis collectables. For more information, go to www.elvismuseums.com.
•Wonderworks, an “amusement park for the mind” is one of the most amazing children’s museums that will also amaze adults. Visitors to Pigeon Forge can’t help but notice the upside down front on the building housing the museum. Inside, visitors will continue to be in wonder of all of the interactive activities. For more information, go to www.WonderWorksTN.com.
•The Smoky Mountain Car Museum features historic cars, as well as collector dolls, Avon items and other memorabilia. It is one of the oldest attractions in Pigeon Forge and has been open since 1956.
•The Track recreation center has rides for children, putt putt an arcade, go carts and other attractions. For more information, go to www.pigeonforgetrack.com.
•Zorb features one of the most unique attractions in Pigeon Forge. Zorb is an 11-foot high inflatable sphere that you can ride inside of. The sphere rolls down hills at high speeds. For more information, go to www.zorb.com.
WHERE TO STAY
Holiday Inn offers large rooms, an indoor pool with a waterfall, a restaurant inside the hotel and a spacious, inviting lobby with a huge fireplace and seasonal decorations. The restaurant offers a great special for families — children age 12 and under eat for free.
The Holiday Inn is located on the main strip but far enough back from the road to get you out of the traffic. You can be at the outlets or any of the main attractions in only a few minutes. The professional, courteous staff will handle any need you might have and handle check in/out fast and efficiently.
One of our favorite spots was the huge indoor pool. The plants and waterfall provide for a tropical feel to this mountain destination. The arcade was also a favorite spot for my nephew.
Holiday Inn is located just past traffic light light six on the parkway at 320 Parkway. For more information, go to www.holidayinn.com or call 1-865-428-2700.
For detailed information on Pigeon Forge, go to www.mypigeonforge.com.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
Top-notch dancing, comedy and music at Country Tonite where Bubba the Redneck Ranger continues to delight audiences.
Tim McGraw, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tom Jones and Elvis all taking the same stage at Memories Theatre which features wonderful tribute performers.
These are just a few of the shows found at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where theaters line the parkway. It would take visitors weeks to check out all of the wonderful entertainment offered at the East Tennessee town. On a recent four-day visit, we went Magic Beyond Belief, Tennessee Shindig, Country Tonite and Memeories Theatre, as well as spending some time at Dollywood.
Located just a few hours away, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., provides a wonderful year-round travel destination for North Georgia residents. It’s great for a weekend-trip or a week-long adventure. Musical shows, shopping galore, putt putt and a theme park are just a few of the things to fit into your schedule during a visit. Pigeon Forge is also an affordable family vacation destination that offers something for all ages.
Special events and celebrations are held throughout the year. It’s always a great time to visit Pigeon Forge. Winterfest kicked off on Nov. 5 and will be featured through February.
MAGIC BEYOND BELIEF
Magic Beyond Belief features Terry Evanswood, a wonderful illusionist and magician. Evanswood does close up slight of hand magic which led to him winning a prestigious Merlin award, the top prize for magicians.
“Some of the most beautiful mysteries of magic are the most simple,” Evanswood said during a recent performance.
The two-hour show also includes a dramatization of the last days of Harry Houdini’s life and Evanswood recreating Houdini’s famous escape from a straight jacket.
For more information, go to www.PigeonForgeMagic.com.
TENNESSEE SHINDIG
The Tennessee Shindig is a wonderful family show that will delight guests of all ages. Uncle Bud Beasley kicks off the show with this country welcome, “We’re pleased as pecan pie to welcome you to the Tennessee Shinddig.” His humor is sprinkled throughout the show and is always a delight. He even makes the birthday and anniversary announcements funny.
The first part of the show is a tribute to Tennessee music — from Memphis to Nashville. The rich musical history of Tennessee is told through songs.
The second half is on the “Times of Tennessee” and features music from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Elvis performer Cody Slaughter is featured prominently in the second half of the show and does a great job. He has the moves and is natural as he shakes his hips and moves all around the stage. He not only sounds like Elvis, he also looks so much like him.
For more information, go to www.TennesseeShindig.com.
COUNTRY TONITE
It’s easy to see why Country Tonite is the most award win¬ning show in the Smokies. It’s the humor of Chan Mullinax, better known as Bubba the Redneck Ranger. It’s the talent and energy of the amazing singers and dancers. It’s the multi-talented musicians, led by the wonderful Mike Caldwell, who leaves you in awe at his skill on the harmonica. It all adds up to two hours of entertainment that will leave you tapping your feet, clapping your hands and cheering.
Country Tonite, which has been a favorite of visitors to Pigeon Forge for more than 10 years, has always been known for its youth performers. This season is no exception with Skylar and Cassie being the two youngest entertainers on the stage. They show great versatility with several songs where they are the featured performer.
For more information, visit www.countrytonitepf.com.
MEMORIES THEATRE
Memories Theatre features Lou Vuto as Elvis, as well as several other tribute artists. When we went to the show, artists portraying Tim McGraw, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Tom Jones were featured. They were all great and did a wonderful tribute to the artists. It’s amazing how much they look and sound like the original artists.
The second half of the show features Lou Vuto performing several Elvis hits. He changes the show nightly in order to give guests a reason for returning again and again. The tribute artists also change every few weeks.
For more information, go to www.memoriestheatre.com.
DOLLYWOOD
Dollywood has over 130 acres of rides, entertainment, craftsmen, shops and restaurants. Dollywood is also home to five of the South’s largest festivals each year — the Festival of Nations, KidFest, Dollywood’s Barbeque and Bluegrass festival, National Gospel and Harvest Celebration and Smoky Mountain Christmas.
The annual Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration will be held Nov. 7 through Dec. 30. It includes special holiday shows and arts and crafts, as well as thousands of festive lights and decorations.
For more information, go to www.dollywood.com.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Other attractions that are great for family vacations include:
•Dinosaur Walk Museum has more than 50 life size dinosaur exhibits, as well as 20 reptile exhibits. Children and adults will be amazed at their realistic sculptures. It gives visitors a great perspective on just how enormous some of the dinosaurs were. For more information, go to www.dinosaurwalkmuseum.com.
•Elvis Museum with costumes, cars, jewelry, guns and sports that belonged to Elvis on display. It’s the largest collection of licensed Elvis collectables. For more information, go to www.elvismuseums.com.
•Wonderworks, an “amusement park for the mind” is one of the most amazing children’s museums that will also amaze adults. Visitors to Pigeon Forge can’t help but notice the upside down front on the building housing the museum. Inside, visitors will continue to be in wonder of all of the interactive activities. For more information, go to www.WonderWorksTN.com.
•The Smoky Mountain Car Museum features historic cars, as well as collector dolls, Avon items and other memorabilia. It is one of the oldest attractions in Pigeon Forge and has been open since 1956.
•The Track recreation center has rides for children, putt putt an arcade, go carts and other attractions. For more information, go to www.pigeonforgetrack.com.
•Zorb features one of the most unique attractions in Pigeon Forge. Zorb is an 11-foot high inflatable sphere that you can ride inside of. The sphere rolls down hills at high speeds. For more information, go to www.zorb.com.
WHERE TO STAY
Holiday Inn offers large rooms, an indoor pool with a waterfall, a restaurant inside the hotel and a spacious, inviting lobby with a huge fireplace and seasonal decorations. The restaurant offers a great special for families — children age 12 and under eat for free.
The Holiday Inn is located on the main strip but far enough back from the road to get you out of the traffic. You can be at the outlets or any of the main attractions in only a few minutes. The professional, courteous staff will handle any need you might have and handle check in/out fast and efficiently.
One of our favorite spots was the huge indoor pool. The plants and waterfall provide for a tropical feel to this mountain destination. The arcade was also a favorite spot for my nephew.
Holiday Inn is located just past traffic light light six on the parkway at 320 Parkway. For more information, go to www.holidayinn.com or call 1-865-428-2700.
For detailed information on Pigeon Forge, go to www.mypigeonforge.com.
Angela Gary is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers Inc. She can be reached at AngieEditor@aol.com.
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