There has been significant progress on the re-paving of Cades Cove Loop, so much that park officials plan to open the loop almost a month early! Cades Cove Loop is expected to open on April 24 and to recognize the completion of this long-overdue project and National Park Week, the Park is planning two celebratory events. A Field Day has been set for Saturday, April 24, when only bicycles and pedestrians will be permitted on the road until noon. On Sunday morning, April 25, the Park and the Friends of the Smokies are planning a one-time-only “Cades Cove Loop Lope,” which will offer pre-registeredrunners a choice of the full 11 mile loop or a 3.5 mile loop course. Both events are being planned to minimize visitor inconvenience.
As with all funds raised by the Friends on behalf of the park, the event fee will go to support a wide range of park programs. The run will step off at 8:00 a.m. so that the road can be re-opened to vehicles by 12 noon. Due to very limited parking at the beginning of the Loop Road, vehicle access past the Townsend “Wye” will be restricted to registered runners and campers until the race is over.
In addition to the road improvements, visitors to the Cove will also be able to view improvements to the Cades Cove Store and bicycle rental facilities.
This Saturday, March 27th marks the opening of the 2010 season at Dollywood theme park. Dolly Parton herself will be in the park to also celebrate the 25th year of Dollywood since the opening in 1986. This weekend will definitely be one of the busiest of the year and Dolly & the Dollywood staff are ready!
Dolly has in previous years dressed up her Grand Opening Performances with special guests and big news. We wonder what she has up her sleeve for this memorable anniversary event!
April 8th marks the Grand Opening of the Titanic Pigeon Forge Museum. There will be an opening ceremony christening outside the bow of the ship with special celebrity guest, Regis Philbin! Cast members from the Nashville production of “Titanic the Musical” will perform at the Grand Opening of the new Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge on April 8, 2010. The outside event is open to the public and you can purchase tickets online if you would like to tour the museum. The event also will be attended by descendants and family members of those on board the Titanic.
The weekend-long Titanic Museum Attraction Grand Opening Celebration, hosted by Regis Philbin, will also feature Liverpool Legends in Concert featuring the world’s foremost Beatles tribute band Friday night, April 9th. On Saturday, April 10th there will be a free concert by country music legend Neal McCoy. Both concerts will be on the bow of the ship and will be followed by fireworks. The weekend will be full of fun events, live bands, celebrity special guests and fireworks! You don’t want to miss this!
The Gathering: 2 services at 9:30 & 10:30
First United Methodist Pigeon Forge: 2 services at 8:30 & 10:45
First United Methodist Sevierville: 2 services at 8:30 & 10:45
First Baptist Church Sevierville: 3 services at 7:00, 8:15 & 10:45
Parkway Church of God: Service at 10:30
First Baptist Gatlinburg:
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Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg at 6:30
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Horizon Service (contemporary) at 9:30
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Heritage Service (traditional) at 11:00
Evergreen Presbyterian Church:
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Brunch at 9:00
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Easter Egg Hunt at 9:45
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Easter Church Service at 10:30
Holy Cross Catholic Church:
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Holy Thursday, 4/1/2010, 7:00 pm
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Good Friday, 4/2/2010, 7:00 pm
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Easter Vigil, 4/3/2010, 7:00 pm
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Easter Sunday, 4/4/2010, 8:00 am & 10:30 am & 4:00 pm
Almost $400,000 has been raised by Sevier County native Dolly Parton and her business ventures for the Friends of the Smokies group during the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s 75th anniversary celebration.
According to a Friends of the Smokies press release, Parton has contributed more than $250,000 from the sale of her “Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke” CD. About $110,000 was raised from the “Sha-Kon-O-Hey! Land of Blue Smoke” stage show, which premiered at Dollywood on May 9, 2009.
Parton was asked to write a song in commemoration of the park’s 75th anniversary by Friends of the Smokies President, Jim Hart and came back with a whole soundtrack! The money will go toward the Friends of the Smokies’ Trails Forever endowment program, which helps maintain hiking trails in the Smoky Mountains.