Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, July 4th weekend in the Smoky Mountains

20th Annual Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival

The 20th Annual Patriot Festival begins July 3rd at Patriot Park in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Festivities get started at 1:00 p.m. The Patriot Festival is FREE and open to the public. Patriot Park is located on Old Mill Street at traffic light number 7 behind the historic Old Mill. Take advantage of the city parking lot on Teaster Lane with a trolley shuttle going to Patriot Park.

Listeners should bring a lawn chair (no umbrellas, please) and prepare to enjoy an outstanding lineup of live musical entertainment including Diamond Rio, Grafite, Steve Azar, Eden's Edge, Thompson Square, TelluRide and Jimbo Whaley and Greenbrier. Visitors will also enjoy the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus! INTERESTING LOCAL TIP | WIVK radio 107.7 will be attending with their beloved mascot "WIVIK the Frog." Throughout East Tennessee, this radio station is commonly known as "WIVK {weh-vik} The Frog Station."

Kids will love the free Kids’ Karnival zone with inflatables and games, and Veterans will appreciate "Veterans Salute." Visitors always enjoy a rich variety of locally prepared foods available by non-profit vending organizations.

The City of Pigeon Forge proudly presents the evening fireworks show as a thank you to our guests and citizens for supporting Pigeon Forge! After the performances, the Pigeon Forge night sky will come to life with a fantastic fireworks display! The fireworks usually start at 9:30 to 9:45 p.m., so keep your eyes on the skies, you won't want to miss this display!

July 2010
2	Tanya Tucker in concert at Country Tonite Theatre. For more information call 1-800-792-4308 or visit the website: www.firstclassconcerts.com
2	Music on the Square – Old Mill Square. For more information call (865) 428-0771 or visit www.oldmillsquare.com Performing Live at 6:30 p.m. is "Kentucky Grass Project." Admission is FREE. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy!
3	Hallmark Channel Presents "Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood," – The Hallmark Channel will be honoring a musical icon and celebrate the anniversary of one of our favorite theme parks when the Hallmark Channel Original Special is televised on Friday, July 3 at 8:00 p.m. [ read blog >>]
3	20th Annual Patriot Festival - at Pigeon Forge Park in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Old Mill Street at traffic light number 7 behind the historic Old Mill. Festivities get started at 1:00 p.m.
3-4	Midnight Independence Day Parade - For the 35th consecutive year, Gatlinburg kicks off America’s Independence Day celebration with the nation’s first parade, which leads off at midnight (12:00 a.m.) on Saturday.
4	Independence Day Sidewalk Sale at Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall in Pigeon Forge, TN. Enjoy great savings at dozens of brand name stores during the Independence Day Sidewalk Sale at Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall.
4	River Raft Regatta in Gatlinburg: Beginning at the Christus Gardens bridge, a wild unmanned river raft race with everything from rubber ducks, floating rocks, and other unique boats will float along River Road ending at the Aquarium Bridge in Gatlinburg.
4	"Stand Here" Fireworks Finale in Gatlinburg Stand Here: Fireworks Finale in Gatlinburg: Finish off the 4th in style with a magnificent fireworks show visible from the downtown streets of Gatlinburg!
8 - 11	Girls Slowpitch Softball World Series at Pigeon Forge City Park and Sevierville Park
10	Adopted Chinese Children Reunion - The Smoky Mountain Palace in Sevierville, Tennessee is hosting their 2nd Annual Adopted Chinese Children Association (ACCA) Reunion for families who have adopted children from China. This one-day event begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 10, 2010 and is expected to draw hundreds of attendees from across the country. Call (865) 429-1601, ext. 227 or Email: reunion@cirquedechine.com
16 - 24	Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair - Art, crafts and music lovers can find almost 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
19	Girls Fastpitch Softball World Series Opening Ceremony - the event will be held at the Pigeon Forge High School Gym
20 - 25	Girls Fastpitch Softball World Series at Pigeon Forge City Park and Sevierville Park
23 - 24	George Jones in concert at Country Tonite Theatre. For more information call 1-800-792-4308 or visit the website: www.firstclassconcerts.com
24	The Diner's "Hot Nights Cool Cars" Cruise-In - Open car show and cruise in - 865-908-1904 www.thediner.biz
31	Pigeon Forge Midnight Road Race 8K - Pigeon Forge Midnight Road Race 8K - This will be the first year of the returning Pigeon Forge Road Race! Make sure you come out and run with us at midnight! Racers will line up at 11:55 p.m., and the race begins at midnight. [ more info >>] Sign up today by visiting: http://ktc.org/RacePigeonForge.htm
August 2010
1 - 31	Celebrate Freedom™ - Join us in honoring America’s heroes during the entire month of August. Participating businesses offer exclusive discounts to veterans, all branches of active duty, Reserves, National Guard, retired military, law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS personnel (ID required). For information call (865) 453-8574 or 1-800-251-9100.
11 - 14	KIDABRA!--The Association of Family & Kidshow Performers Annual Convention. Registration is required. Grand Finale Public Show is Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. at Music Road Convention Center.
13 - 14	StringTime in the Smokies, presented by The Old Mill - Old Mill Square. For more information call (865) 428-0771 or visit www.oldmillsquare.com
13 - 15	Smoky Mountain Bull Dog Club – Smoky Shadows Convention Center. For more information call 1-800-251-4444.
20	Chubby Checker in concert at Country Tonite Theatre. For more information call 1-800-792-4308 or visit the website: www.firstclassconcerts.com
23 - 25	14th Annual World Premiere Gospel Concert – Grand Resort Hotel Convention Center. For more information call 1-800-251-4444.
28	The Diner's "Back-to-School" Cruise-In – Open car show and cruise in - 865-908-1904 www.thediner.biz

FREEDOM DAYS | Can't get enough love for this great country? Then you owe it to yourself to stay up late and head to Gatlinburg in the wee hours to participate in America’s first Independence Day celebration. Gatlinburg's parade kicks off at 12:01 a.m. MIDNIGHT in front of 100,000+ patriotic spectators in the early morning hours of July 4th. The Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg corridor offers so many ways to celebrate America and celebrate freedom. There are so many Things to Do!

LOCAL TIP | WIVK radio 107.7 will be attending with their beloved mascot "WIVIK the Frog." Throughout East Tennessee, this radio station is commonly known as "WIVK {weh-vik} The Frog Station."

MOUNTAIN MUSIC | No matter where you go in Pigeon Forge, mountain music fills the air...from performers on stage to breakout jam sessions where everyone gets into the act.

On May 26th, bring your own chair, and enjoy the U.S. Air Force Hot Brass Band in a FREE performance at NOON in the parking lot of Pottery House Cafe & Grille in Old Mill Square.

July 2nd is Music on the Square , a popular happening at Pigeon Forge's Old Mill Square. Performing Live at 6:30 p.m. on July 2nd is Kentucky Grass Project. Admission is FREE. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy!

August 13 - 14 is a bluegrass event entitled "Stringtime in the Smokies." Be sure to bring along your own instruments and get in on all the fun. Antique farm equipment brings another taste of nostalgia to this event.

COOL DOWN! | Commonly known by locals as the "Peaceful Side of the Smokies," Townsend is a great nearby destination for tubing down the river.

NEW | Martial Arts--The Soul of Shaolin! Direct from Broadway for a limited engagement, the Tony-nominated "Soul of Shaolin" is a Chinese martial arts spectacular.

WEDDINGS | Think about it--Many family members are off work during the week of July 4th. Booking your wedding near a holiday often turns out to be the perfect solution for families to gather for your special celebration.