This year will be the first time Tanger Outlet in Sevierville, Tn. has started “Black Friday’” on Thanksgiving Thursday! That’s right, the doors at Tanger Outlet will be unlocked at 10 PM Thanksgiving day and will not be locked again for 24 hours! Many stores have opened for business very early in the morning on the Friday following Thanksgiving for a long time now. Tanger is, without a doubt “raising the bar”!

With the lights of Winterfest guiding the way, shoppers will no doubt take this opportunity to get a jump on the Christmas shopping season. Many dads stuffed with all the good food they could possibly hold will most likely opt out and be perfectly fine watching the end of the football game! Many moms will be perfectly content to finally break away from the day’s cooking, dishes and crowds to spend some quiet time searching the aisles for those perfect gifts.

With so much to do in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area be sure you take the time and enjoy some of the other wonderful Sevierville attractions!

Have a lot of fun and be safe during this year’s holiday season!

I’m a guy so I really shouldn’t be as excited as I am, but I can’t help it; IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME (and I love to shop)! So this weekend, I’m maxing out my cards! I don’t care, I’m sick of recessions, bad economic data and all that “bah humbug”!  I got sons,nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters and a mailman counting on me and I promise, I won’t let you down! But first, even though my house is looking  like “Santa gone wild” already, I still need more Christmas stuff! Good thing I live in Sevierville because I know just the place to get what I need to fill in those last few empty corners of my home before I head out to the outlet malls…the Christmas Place! I love it there!

This time of year, I don’t know what happens to me but it turns me into a little kid! I walk in there and transform into an eight year old, it’s crazy! If you’ve never been there you really need to go. Your senses will be filled with the colors, smells and sounds of what I think is without a doubt, the best part of the year. This will be my third time to go there in the last month or so and I’ll probably be back again before Christmas!

Sorry for the short post, but I’ve talked myself right into the mood and I’m outta’ here!  I’m going to call my buddy and see if he wants to meet me later for some  Pigeon Forge arcade action at my other favorite place to feel young again, Lazerport!  Have a  merry Christmas everybody!

It’s that time again and moms, in particular, are gearing up for the Christmas shopping season! While it can be a lot of fun to explore each and every store at a great place for shopping like, Tanger Mall at Five Oaks, it can be tedious for any restless teens or youngsters you have with along for the day! But I have a great idea so all have a fun time!

Right across from the street from the mall in Sevierville you will see a new landmark. It’s a zip line tower where folks from all around are getting a chance to try this exciting activity. Just drop those kids off (maybe call it an early Christmas gift) and let them spend a few hours riding the zip lines and horses! They’ll love you for it and you will have some time to concentrate on the task at hand; shopping!

Completely safe, your youngsters will be in good hands accommodated by two guides on every line and attached to not one but TWO zip line cables designed to keep people safe while having fun. The trail rides at Adventure Park of Five Oaks also have guides. The kids will get to see the mountains on horseback and view the entire Smokies from a really cool ride. Ask about their “combo-package” and you’ll get a discount for each person too.

Check out their Pigeon Forge zip line and riding stables web page and learn more. I have also included another link if you would like to see other Pigeon Forge attractions and options available for mom to have a free day filled with shopping! Have fun mom!

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Today we will take a look at just some of the many things waiting for you this Christmas season in the Smokies. Today will look at Gatlinburg, Tn. events in particular.

If you’ve visited this area before you are aware already of what this time of year is called around hear but if not, welcome to Winterfest! Celebrating the Christmas season around Gatlinburg is very easy and begins long before Dec. 25th and does not end until a couple weeks after Valentines day!

In honor of those special people who serve and have served our country,on Nov. 11th at Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza there will be a musical tribute to salute America’s veterans. From Nov. 27th until Dec. 20th, you can listen to storytellers, caroling and enjoy some unique entertainment along the Parkway on Friday and Saturday nights.

The 34th annual “Fantasy of Lights” Christmas parade is right around the corner but as of this post the date is yet to be announced. You might want to call the chamber of commerce to find out the exact date, this is a very nice parade.

This is just a brief look at what is waiting for you and your loved ones this wonderful season in Gatlinburg,for a complete listing of the events take a look at smokymountainwinterfest.com.

It’s Christmas time so let the fun begin!

On your next visit to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg you will be greeted with millions of colorful little lights as Winterfest is now under way. From the time you get off the I40 interstate exit until you start up the mountain at the end of Gatlinburg, you will be delighted by the glow of Christmas lights and the familiar scenes of Santa, reindeer and snowmen.

Just because the weather is cooling off and the days aren’t quite as long is no reason to stay home by the furnace! Put a light coat, jacket or sweater on, gather up dad and the kids and come see the beautiful displays in the Smokies.  The Sevier county area has really worked hard to make the cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg come to life around Christmas and the hard  work has paid off. Winterfest gets bigger and better every year and you should, if possible, plan a trip to this impressive Tennessee county.

Christmas joy is yours to have by just “getting in the spirit” and taking a ride down Dolly Parton Parkway!

There is a lot going on in Pigeon Forge right now including the National Gospel & Harvest Celebration  at Dollywood and with Halloween getting closer let’s take a look at some other choices in the Smokies this Fall!

This is by far not a complete list but there is something here for everyone but the main thing is to get a lot of candy and be safe while doing it!  Hey mom and/or  dad, I found some real good halloween safety tips here to keep in mind, you might want to check them out before you load up the kids

Now thru 10/31/2009
The Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival  in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, features an array of craft shows, a decorating contest and other special events.

10/29/2009
The 9th Annual Halloween Celebration is a safe way for kids to go “trick or treat” ing at the Pigeon Forge Community Center and is presented by the City of Pigeon Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information call 865-429-7373.

10/31/2009
The Halloween Fun Fest is being held at the Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center. For more information call 1-800-251-4444

10/31/2009
Hallapalooza 2009
A Halloween costume party with DJ and more for adults at the Arnold Estates resort in Sevierville. Call 800-969-4504 for more info.

10/31/2009
Trick or Treat Kick Off Karnival
This is a family Halloween fund raising eventday event where all game proceeds will benefit the Sevier County United Way. Lasting from 12 noon to 3:00pm. this should be a lot of fun for everyone and safe. There will be:a Pumpkin Contest at NoonContestsCostumed CaractersInflatablesCandy
The event will be held at the Historic Nature Trail off Airport Rd behind Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.
To learn more call: 865-654-0766

10/31/2009
In nearby Cocke county there will be “Halloween Trick or Treat at the Track” sponsored by
Newport Parks & Recreation
Call 423-623-7304 for more details.