It has been 99 years since a lookout in the crow’s nest shouted, “Iceberg right ahead!” For the twelve months leading up to April 15, 2012, when it will have been a century since the RMS Titanic was lost, TitanicMuseum Attractions will pay respect to and honor those 2,208 passengers and crew members with an ongoing series of special events, activities and ceremonies.
To commemorate Titanic’s Irish heritage, Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Branson, Mo. will give away six 11-day trips for two to Belfast. The 12 winners of the “Back to Titanic 100th year ‘Tour Ireland’ Sweepstakes” will cruise to Belfast where they will visit the birthplace of the world’s best-known, most luxurious ocean liner. Complete sweepstakes details can be found at the Titanic’s website.
This giveaway is only the first of many upcoming events, activities and ceremonies that will be hosted by the Titanic. Keep checking back for info about these upcoming events including a Rose Petal Memorial and a Royal Wedding Contest!
Smoky Mountain Morning is a new locally produced webcast that will stream live every morning at 8 a.m. The hour-long morning webcast will be packed full of great things for visitors to do while visiting the Smoky Mountains. This will help visitors make the most of their time in the Smokies.
The show will be the perfect way to entertain and inform tourists on activities and numerous things to do in the area. It’s something anyone can tune into from their home, just sitting at their computer. It will also be informative for area residents. The first week Smoky Mountain Morning will do a feature called “Locals Week” to introduce locals to the show. It will feature locals and will be geared towards those who reside in the area, not tourists.
Ths show plans to entertain while informing. They will feature different segments including, “Frugal Frank” which will focus on inexpensive activities in the area. Another segment will be “Street or Park,” that will interview individuals either in towns and cities near the mountains or in the National Park. Smoky Mountain Morning plans to keep their show interesting with lots of segments and interesting things about the Smokies.
The webcast will debut on June 27 and to celebrate they are hosting seven different launch parties at locations throughout the Smokies. The first event will be from 7 to 9 a.m. Friday, May 27, at Southland Books, 801 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville. They will serve breakfast with fresh homemade granola and yogurt, sweet potato biscuits with homemade apple butter, Benton’s bacon and Oliver Twist Tea, which is tea and lemonade.
SmokyMountainMorning.com
The Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride is a memorial motorcycle ride to help people remember what Memorial Day is all about. On Sunday, May 29, Smoky Mountain Thunder will celebrate their 11th year by gathering in Sevierville to pay tribute to fallen military. The event will begin with an opening ceremony at 10 am. Local talent, including Jack Rogers, will provide a prelude of patriotic music and will open the ceremony with the national anthem. Retired Maj. Doug Estey will be the guest speaker, followed by the playing of Taps.
The motorcyclists will leave at 11 am on a 60 mile, police-escorted ride across five counties to Grainger County’s veterans overlook for the closing ceremony. Closing ceremony will begin once all motorcycles have arrived. United Veterans Honor Guard will be on hand to post colors and flags from all branches. There will also be a 21-gun salute and Taps.
This is a rain or shine event and all are welcome to join!
Come out and Salute our Heroes with the Tennessee Smokies on Saturday, May 28 at Smokies Stadium. The Gates will open at 5:00 pm and the Memorial Ceremony will begin shortly after. The first pitch will be at 6:15. All veterans, reserve, guard, active military members and gold star mothers will receive free admission. Just be sure to report to the designated table in front of the stadium, located to the right of the Will Call cabin and Miller High Life tent and present military/veteran I.D. to receive tickets (do not visit main ticket windows). Or you can call Smokies office at 865-286-2300 by May 27th to reserve tickets (bring military/veteran credentials to Will Call cabin on night of game to pick up your tix)
Special Events at Salute to Heroes Night:
* Miniature American flag giveaway at the gates, courtesy of Woodmen of the World
* Video tributes to women in the military
* Flyover (weather permitting) featuring KC-135 Stratotanker, provided by 134th Air Refueling Wing, TN Air National Guard, McGhee Tyson ANG Base
* Parade of motorcycles (main rider contact Skip Kaelin, Smokies liaison for military special events)
* Three-volley salute, courtesy of American Legion Post 104-Sevierville honor guard
* Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Mothers in attendance to be presented with roses on-field by Smokies players
* Echo Taps performed live by Smoky Mountain Trumpet Guild (may also perform Star Spangled Banner)
* Color guard presented by UT Army R.O.T.C. Dragoons
* In-game recognition of all veterans, beginning with female veterans
* Service branch medley played over P.A. system
* 100 Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans Association (IAVA) veterans in attendance with families, sponsored by Miller High Life
* Ceremonial first pitches for one IAVA veteran and one female veteran/active-duty member
* Tribute to the late friend of Mick Gillispie (Smokies director of broadcasting), Andrew Forester, who died in the line of duty Sept. 2010. Debut of auction benefiting foundation established in Andrew’s memory.
Help out the Great Smoky Mountains on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 4, 2011. On National Trails Day you are encouraged to get outdoors and participate in a local hike, bike, horseback ride, maintenance project, paddle trip, health fair, and more! Are you in the Smoky Mountain area? Sign up to help us take care of the Appalachian Trail!
The Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Regional Office of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, are coordinating with the Annual Appalachian Trail Work Day on National Trails Day. You are invited to participate in helping take care of the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The A.T. Maintainers Committee of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy are responsibile for seeing that the A.T. and its facilities in GSMNP are maintained on a continuing basis. With your help on National Trails Day, projects are completed that otherwise would not be accomplished.
This year, crews and volunteers will be working on A.T. sections between The Boulevard Trail and Silers Bald. Registration for the event is $17.00. Registration fees are an important source of funds for trail improvements in the Smokies. You can receive a $2.00 discount if your registration is postmarked by May 16th. After May 16th, the fee is $17.00.
Please note that registering early helps the Crew Assignment Committee get workers placed in work groups, and increases your chance of being assigned to your hike/work preference. Workers will receive a commemorative t-shirt and a sack lunch.
Email Holly Scott at fotshb@bellsouth.net for more information, and to receive an application.