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PigeonForge.com Newsletter
eNewsletter #298 
May 5 - 12, 2010 
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Cabins USA 
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CALL TOLL FREE 800-533-4121 or visit www.cabinsusa.com to view our current SPECIALS! We have spectacular log cabins and chalets with breathtaking views, jacuzzis, fireplaces, hot tubs, fully equipped kitchens and more. Most of our cabins are only minutes from the parkway, secluded but yet conveniently located near outlet shopping malls, restaurants, area attractions and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Cabins USA
Toll Free: 1-800-533-4121  
Timber Tops Luxury Cabin Rentals 
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Pigeon Forge's premier Cabin Rental Company, Timber Tops offers over 370 Cabins ranging from 1 bedroom private cabins to large 8 bedroom cabins that sleep up to 28 people. Luxury amenities including, fireplaces, Hot Tubs, Cabins with Indoor Pools, Game rooms, Theatres, fully furnished kitchens and INDESCRIBABLE views. Only the highest quality cabins on our rental program. 2 Indoor pools for guest to swim in, Wedding/Reception area, Wedding and Group Planning Available and Concierge Services.

Timber Tops
Toll Free: 1-800-561-5723 
Smoky Ridge Cabin Rentals 
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Smoky Ridge Cabin Rentals would like to extend an invitation to visit our wonderful cabins in the Smokies. We are a new company offering luxury cabins for your great getaways with all amenities and comforts of home. If you are looking for cozy and romantic, or family size, our accommodations will have you coming back again and again. Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals.

Smoky Ridge Cabin Rental
Toll Free: 1-877-432-2246  
Outdoor Adventures 
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BEST PRICES OF THE YEAR! Book your reservations early and receive our best price of the year. Our Pigeon River Spring Discount is over 30% OFF regular price! Sign up for our newsletter and receive promotions and updates.
 
Rafting is the best way to enjoy the outdoor beauty of the Smokies. Choose a mild rafting trip or a more exciting whitewater expedition. Outdoor Adventures is perfect for couples, families, family reunions, church groups, or any kind of group that craves fun and excitement. Located close to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Knoxville, Outdoor Rafting Adventures will provide a fun and memorable rafting experience.
Toll Free: 1-866-333-RAFT (7238)
Question of the Week!  
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This section is dedicated to you, our readers! Feel free to email us any of your fun stories from your vacation in Pigeon Forge. Send us photos, memories, travel tips, anything that you would like to tell us about your experience in the Smokies. Every week we will highlight reader's comments in this article. Thanks for all the feedback. We love to hear from you!
 
Question of the Week, "What attraction/site/restaurant/etc. is a must see while in Pigeon Forge?" 
 
Last week's question, "What are you most looking forward to on your next trip to Pigeon Forge?"
 
Beverly writes, "At least once a year my family come to Pigeon Forge for a weekend.  My father (81) mother (74) and their 3 girls (me and my 2 sisters).  This year we are coming for Mother's Day.  We have tickets to the Titanic.  I am very excited about it."
 
Teresa says, "I'm wishing I was in the Smokies today, but honestly that's most days.  This is an extra special year, it will be 10 years since we were married at the Sugarlands Wedding Chapel, so we'll be coming for our anniversary.  I'm looking forward to the new Titanic museum.  Also, I'm hoping my soon to be 3 year old will be up for a show this year, I think the Dixie Stampede will be fun for her first show, it's been 7 years since we've been.  I've invited some friends to come for their first time visit to the Smokies with us. I really enjoyed some local performers around town last year.  I'm glad businesses in Sevier County allow them to set up in front of hotels and shopping venues, it just adds to the charm of the area.  My favorite performer was Miss Logan Murrell, she was performing outside the Gatlinburg Inn and at the Old Mill last year.  I'm hoping she'll be performing around town this fall.   Oh, the mountains are calling me to my 2nd home!"
 
Terry writes, "I will be coming with our 12 year old granddaughter the week of july 4th, this is a special time to build memories going to Dollywood together as we did the last 4th."
 
Stevie says, "Visiting the Titanic museum!"
PigeonForge.com on Facebook!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find us on Facebook If you love PigeonForge.com please become a fan on facebook!  We just made a new fan page where we will be doing contests and great giveaways!
Make sure you become a fan today and post your family vacation photos, they could even end up on PigeonForge.com!  
 
Synchronous Fireflies
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Every June for about two weeks during the mating season, the fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park begin to flash in unison. Great Smoky Mountains have 14 species of firefly in the park and this phenomenon involves all the male individuals of this one species. They are the only species in America whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns.  No one is sure why the fireflies flash synchronously. Competition between males may be one reason: they all want to be the first to flash. Or perhaps if the males all flash together they have a better chance of being noticed, and the females can make better comparisons. The fireflies do not always flash in unison. They may flash in waves across hillsides, and at other times will flash randomly. Synchrony occurs in short bursts that end with abrupt periods of darkness.
 
The dates the fireflies are expected to flash this year are June 5 - 13. The park will set up trolley rides from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to Elkmont for the firefly showing. The Elkmont entrance road will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrian use every night starting at 5:00 p.m. until midnight. The trolley service, coinciding with the expected peak flashing period, will be the sole transportation mode for visitor access during this period; no private vehicles will be allowed to enter Elkmont.
 
Trout Fest
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Trout Fest will be held this May 14 - 16 at the Townsend Visitors Center in Townsend, TN.  This yearly fly fishing exposition and fundraiser will host great food, live bluegrass music and free fishing seminars.  The banquet and auction will be at 6:00 on Friday the 14th and the Fly Fishing Exposition will be Saturday and Sunday the 15th & 16th starting at 9:00 am.  The exposition is FREE and parking donations are gladly accepted.  You can purchase tickets to the banquet and auction here.   
 
Proceeds are donated to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department, Friends of the Smokies Fisheries Scholarship Endowment and other youth conservation projects.
 
Upcoming Events...
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May 3 - 8: 6th Annual Southern Gospel Music FanFair - Smoky Mountain Convention Center. For more information call (205) 662-4826 or visit www.sgmfanfair.com  
 
May 7: 25th Annual Dolly Homecoming Parade
 
May 8: Shrine Fun Fest Parade | Location: on the parkway in Pigeon Forge--route to be announced. Time: 9:00 a.m.
 
May 11 - 13: Sevierville's BBQ Boot Camp -Learn BBQing techniques from Champion BBQ Cookers during the three day BBQ Boot Camp in Sevierville, TN. Sign up for 1, 2 or 3 days of cooking. Registration is $50 per day or $125 for all three days. Register at www.BloominBBQ.com
 
May 14 - 15: Chevy Classic Car Show - at the Inn at Christmas Place. (865) 868-0525.
 
May 14 -15: Bloomin' BBQ and Bluegrass - Sevierville's 6th Annual Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass  - The largest event in Sevierville! Tennessee State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off, FREE bluegrass concerts from rising stars and bluegrass legends (2010 includes Audie Blaylock, Tony Rice Unit and Dan Tyminski), kids games, great food and authentic mountain crafts. Admission is FREE. For more information, contact the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce 1-888-889-7415 or visit www.BloominBBQ.com
 
May 14 - 15: Gatlinburg Scottish Festival & Games -29th Annual Scottish clans meeting featuring Highland athletics, bagpipe competitions, Highland dancing, border collie demonstrations, haggis hurling, entertainment, whiskey tasting, food & merchandise vendors.
 
May 14 - 16: Trout Fest - A yearly fly fishing exposition and fundraiser, plus food and live bluegrass music.  Free fishing seminars. Proceeds are donated to Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fisheries Department, Friends of the Smokies Fisheries Scholarship Endowment and other youth conservation projects.
 
May 15 - 16:
Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival - A family oriented fine arts festival featuring juried artists from around the country, delicious cuisine and music on Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza and River Road. http://www.gfaf.net  
 
Quick Links...
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www.pigeonforgespringfest.com                                                            
                        
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www.freedomdays.com                                                            
             
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Contact Information
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phone: 865-584-2602
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