Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomed a record 12,547,743 visitors in 2019, which is 1,126,540 more visitors than in 2018. The park’s three primary entrances near Gatlinburg, Townsend, and Cherokee all had increased use, accounting for about two-thirds of the total park visitation. Secondary park entrances experienced tremendous growth, due primarily to the new section of the Foothills Parkway between ...

Three counties have had their chronic wasting disease status changed due to the confirmation of the disease (CWD) in new areas of southwest Tennessee. Haywood and Chester counties have been reclassified from high-risk counties to CWD-positive counties after deer tested positive in the respective counties. Lauderdale County has been added as a high-risk county after a deer tested positive in ...

Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge offers a range of special programs for scouting troops throughout 2020. As the new year gets underway, many scouting troops will begin to make their plans for the coming year. Alcatraz East Crime Museum is offering a variety of special events and activities designed specifically for Girl and Boy Scout troops. Special events ...

For the third year in a row, WonderWorks is giving back to the community. They are holding their annual December Days of Giving, giving away a variety of prizes to their Facebook followers and fans. To kick the month off, they gave away 2,022 admission tickets to four of their locations, totaling nearly $60,000 worth of admission tickets. But it ...

On Monday, December 31, Gatlinburg will ring in the new year under the cover of the iconic Gatlinburg Space Needle for its 32nd Annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show. Since 1987, this family-friendly celebration has been one of the largest organized New Year’s Eve events in the nation, and this year’s end-of-the-year celebration is set to be ...

Dollywood auditions will be held in Pigeon Forge and Spartanburg, S.C. for the 2020 Entertainment Team. Known throughout the theme park industry as the premiere location for award-winning entertainment, Dollywood begins its search for new talent ready to find the spotlight in the park’s beloved shows.  After a successful debut at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa this season, the auditions ...

It was 50 years ago that Sister Cathy Cesnik disappeared. While her body was discovered a couple of months later in January, her murder remains a mystery to this day, and has since become the basis for the Netflix series “The Keepers.” Shane Waters, crime journalist and investigator who has a podcast that focuses on her case, will hold a ...

The new Silver Bow variety show promises amazing displays of archery skill, music and comedy the whole family will enjoy. “Silver bells, silver bells, it’s Christmas time in the city. Silver Bow, Silver Bow, there’s a big new show in the city!” And ready, set… shoot! Archer Tara Swift has arrived in Pigeon Forge, performing death-defying feats. She shoots her ...

Anakeesta invites residents and workers in Sevier and surrounding counties to visit the attraction for only $5, benefitting Friends of the Smokies. Residents and employees of Sevier, Cocke, Jefferson, Knox, and Blount Counties are invited to visit Anakeesta for just $5 from November 11–17, 2019.  A portion of the proceeds from this week-long local appreciation days will be donated to ...

A school field trip to Alcatraz East Crime Museum is a great way for kids to learn about crime, crime prevention and consequences. Students today live during a time when crime in their communities reaches into their schools through bullying and violence and follows them online. Yet there can be teachable moments, to take advantage of interests in science or ...