Plan your winter vacation getaway with ‘cool’ lodging and special discount coupons, or hold your winter wedding in the Smokies during these local wintertime events.

Gatlinburg Winter Magic is a winter wonderland for all ages. Playful teddy bear light displays throughout the city delight the youngsters while the city’s guided trolley tour lights will entertain the entire family.

River Road features a “magical” touch along the popular Riverwalk area. The romantic arched walkway is enhanced by a pair of graceful 40-foot swans and several ornate floral representations to set the tone for romance in lovers of all ages.

Official Site

www.gatlinburgwintermagic.com

November 24 – 28, 2009
Arts, Entertainment

Dozens upon dozens of ornately decorated Christmas trees await visitors to this Winter Wonderland at W. L. Mills Conference Center Tuesday through Saturday from 4 – 7pm, sponsored this year by Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries. 

More Info

• Admission is free to the Festival of Trees
• For festival information, call 800/568-4748
• For performance ticket sales & reservations, call 865/680-7369

June 12 – August 8, 2009
Arts, Entertainment, History

Back by popular demand, Gatlinburg’s 4th annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ begins in downtown Gatlinburg on June 12, 2009 and will run through August 8. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.

This popular eight-week event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.

The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 5 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling until 10 p.m. As many as 18 nightly acts perform throughout the evening.

Special for the 2009 season, characters will salute the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park as costumed characters Mark Pedro, portraying a Civilian Conservation Corps member of the 1930s and Ginger Brown, portraying a local schoolteacher of the 1930s, provide insights into the beginning of the most visited national park in our National Park System. Quiltin’ Annie, portrayed by Sabrina Gray, will demonstrate hand quilting techniques as she tells stories about the home economics of our region’s past.

Traditional and bluegrass music will be performed throughout downtown Gatlinburg during the event, along with storytellers, costumed characters, crafters, and cloggers featured each evening.

Two traditional mountain music duos will entertain with a variety of instruments as Booger Town Gap, as well as Suzie Reynolds and Steve Mayfield, perform songs dating back to the very early days of Gatlinburg. The pure and rustic music and folk-like lyrics tell stories of the joys and tribulations of life of the early pioneer families.

Since Gatlinburg is the birthplace of the famous bluegrass tune, “Rocky Top”, Tunes & Tales features traditional bluegrass bands each night playing favorite bluegrass standards. All performances are free and happen all along the Parkway, seven nights a week until August 8 making every evening a special event in Gatlinburg.

The Holloway Sisters Band from Lenoir City, Tenn., Southern Skye from Pineville, Ky., The Beagles from Lenoir City, Steve Brown & Hurricane Ridge from Newport, Tenn., Laycee Lee Mack & Granite Station from Clinton, Tenn., and Sevier County’s own Woods Brothers, Gary Hughes Band, and Hammer & Strings will provide the rich sounds of bluegrass music in various locations around Gatlinburg.

Anthony Franco, Carey Jones, and Reese Thornton will spin tall tales and sing their way into the hearts of Gatlinburg visitors from around the world. As part of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™, visitors can stroll along the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg and catch a toe-tappin’ performance by “The Back Porch Cloggers,” a group showcasing the original dance of the Appalachians. Dance enthusiasts will delight as the Back Porch Cloggers perform several routines on two stage locations.

And of course, watch out for the most famous of local characters – Zeno the Gatlinburg BearTM – as he and his Ranger friend make surprise appearances to greet our welcome guests and to pose for family photos.

“Our intent is to take what we feel is one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provide something that is fun and somewhat different than what most places are doing,” Tourism Director David Perella noted.

Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Tunes and TalesTM is an official activity of the City’s Department of Tourism. For more information on this and other special events, contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at (800) 56-VISIT or visit www.gatlinburg.com for mountains of information on how to “Reach Higher Ground”.

Contact Info

• Toll-Free: 800/568-4748
• Admission: Free

July 17 – 26 , 2009
Arts, Entertainment

More than 200 booths featuring some of the nation’s finest work. Artisans on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions, and offer their unique art for sale. Live bluegrass and country music.

• Website: http://www.craftsmenfair.com
• Contact Info: 865/436-7479
• Admission: Yes

GATLINBURG (Tenn.) –

The Guinness Book of World Records Museums featured an exhibit on Michael Jackson since the 1980s, but the museum’s brought the life-like replica of the pop icon out front and center.

The crowds noticed.

“It looks just like him! Just like he’s gonna bust a move,” tourist Rhonda Faisea said.

“He’s not as tall as I thought he was,” tourist Tammi Hayes said.

Since Jackson’s death on Thursday, the museum workers say they’ve received so many inquires about it’s wax copy of Jackson, that they moved the exhibit into the lobby; so, any fan can see it for free.

“I can’t believe he’s dead. I took a part of me, just took a part of me away,” Faisea said.

Fans have left flowers and cards at the figure’s feet. One reads “We Love You Michael.

“I think it’s great tribute. I think it’s sad, but it’s good to know people can remember him,” Hayes said.

Hayes has been a fan for since she was a kid and Jackson was in part of the Jackson 5.

“We made up dances as kids,” Hayes said.

So she couldn’t resist getting an up-close look at her childhood crush.

“He was just cute Michael Jackson. We just wanted to look at him. But then we appreciated the entertainer he was when he came out with Thriller,” Hayes said.

The 1982 album earned the Guinness World Record for best selling album of all time. The museum got an exclusive copy of the pop icon’s body in the early eighties.

Wearing his signature shades and red leather thriller jacket, the figure nearly looks as if Jackson could start to moonwalk any second.

“This is a live casting. Michael had to actually spend all day, go to a studio and have wax poured over him. This is him exactly,” museum spokesman Karl Thomas said.

The wax figure looks so much like the real Michael Jackson, the museum says it actually was a stand-in for the real performer in a 1980s music video.

“I think they have it in the background. He wasn’t doing his moonwalk that’s for sure,” Thomas said.

The museum also the Epic Records Commemorative Thriller Album. The figure once wore one of Jackson’s signature sequined gloves.

However, someone has stolen it, leaving several of the figure’s fingers broken.

Museum staff says Michael Jackson exhibit will remain in the lobby as long as the visitors express an interest.

RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM of the SMOKIES
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm DAILY
Adult — $19.99
Child (6-11) — $10.99
Child (2-5) — $4.99
Children 2 & under — FREE

RIPLEY’S HAUNTED ADVENTURE
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm DAILY
Adult (12 & up) — $12.99
Child (6-11) — $7.99
Children under 6 are not permitted

RIPLEY’S MARVELOUS MIRROR MAZE
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm DAILY
Adult & Child(4+) — $8.99
Children 3 & under — FREE

RIPLEY’S DAVY CROCKET MINI-GOLF
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm DAILY
Adult (12 & up) — $9.99 [18 Holes]
Child (6-11) — $7.99 [18 Holes]
Children (2-5) — $2.99 [18 Holes]

RIPLEY’S OLD MACDONALD’S FARM MINI-GOLF
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm DAILY
All Ages — $9.99 [18 Holes] 
Child (6-11) — $7.99 [18 Holes]
Children (2-5) — $2.99 [18 Holes]

RIPLEY’S MOVING THEATER
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm DAILY
Adult (12 & up) — $12.99 Child (6-11) — $7.99
Children under 40 inches not permitted to ride

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS MUSEUM
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm DAILY
Adult (12 & up) — $9.99
Child (6-11) — $5.99
Children 5 & under — FREE