May 2 & 9 - “Mountain Communities: Fighting Creek, Forks of the River, and the Sugarlands”

May 2 & 9 - “Mountain Communities: Fighting Creek, Forks of the River, and the Sugarlands” - An interpretive one-mile, one-hour easy hiking program is presented at 10 a.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (865) 436-1200 (Bicentennial)

Zeno The "Gatlinburg Spokes-Bear" Invites You To Come Visit Gatlinburg!

Yawn! Well, I've just awakened from my long winter's nap and I can BEARLY contain my excitement at seeing Spring blooming in Gatlinburg! The city is exploding with activity, so now is the perfect time to visit!

Get your paws on the new 2007 Vacation Guide and plan your perfect vacation! Packed full of fun things to see and do, it's one of the bear necessities you need to make the most of Gatlinburg!

Go here to order a printed guide, or download a pdf version now. So don't wait any longer-get your guide, make your plans, and come see me soon! (And bring some honey, will ya?)

Gatlinburg

Spring 2007 - Dollywood's New Mystery Mine Roller Coaster Ride Opens

"What if there is no light at the end of the tunnel???" That's the catch phrase for the newest addition to Dollywood's Timber Canyon area - the Mystery Mine!

The largest capital investment in Dollywood history, Mystery Mine is a one-acre expansion of the park's Timber Canyon area. Continuing the area's lumber camp theme, Mystery Mine is set in an abandoned coal mine where eight-passenger mine carts immediately plunge riders into darkness before continuing along a 1,811-foot track through the ruins of an early 1900's mine.

During the two and half minute journey, riders encounter a beyond vertical 95-degree, 85-foot drop in addition to three inversions, a headline roll, rollover loop and an immelmann. The ride finishes with several high-speed twists as the mine cars maneuver their way through a series of uncertain encounters. Mystery Mine, also known as a Euro-Fighter coaster, is the first ride of its kind to be built in the United States. (click here for animation)

Dollywood noted that state-of-the-art special effects will add to the overall ride experience. The entire attraction will last about two-and-half minutes.

"I'm so proud of Dollywood and all we've accomplished through the years," Dolly Parton said. "Maybe I'm most proud of Dollywood being named one of the top three theme parks in the entire world. That's why I thought it was important to build a world-class roller coaster like Mystery Mine "it's got a world of surprises in store for folks."

Dollywood has invested a lot in new attractions over the past several years. Last year, the theme park introduced the new $6.5 million Timber Tower thrill ride. In 2005, Dollywood spent $5 million for a 3.5-acre expansion of the park's Country Fair area and added ten new family rides. In 2004, the park built the $7 million award-winning wooden coaster, Thunderhead.

Additional Mystery Mine coverage is available from:

• The Mountain Press - click here.
• Coaster World News - streaming video report on opening weekend here.
• The Tennessean offered a piece - click here.
• The Knoxville News-Sentinel provides an article here and a video interviewing riders here.
• Knoxville TV station WATE gives its take on the happenings here.

April 28th - Wildflower Pilgrimage - Special Rachel Carson 100th Anniversary Show!!

Where else could you get $10 tickets to see a Broadway Star! Order now before they're all gone!
In a special 100th Anniversary performance, Broadway star Kaiulani Lee will appear as Rachel Carson in "A Sense of Wonder."

The best show you'll ever get to see for only $10 and the highlight of this year's Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.

April 28, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Mills Auditorium, Gatlinburg, TN.

Now you can enjoy the same show she's performed for the Smithsonian, United Nations, Sierra Club's Centennial, and Department of Interior's 150th Anniversary Celebration.

Click here to see all the details.

March 31 - May 7 - Dollywood Festival of Nations

Irish eyes will be smiling on you as Dollywood shines the spotlight on Celebrate Ireland! Watch as Ireland's renowned musical heritage unfolds right before your eyes during the spectacular show Rhythm of the Dance, featuring fancy footwork, colorful costumes and traditional music. At the Valley Theatre, Irish bands and dance troupes entertain with a lively jig and reel.

Find your rhythm during bodhrán drum lessons or try a tune on the tin whistle. See celebrated Irish artist Philip Gray and his paintings featuring breathtaking Irish seascapes and landscapes. See Irish craftsmen at work in Emerald Isle Marketplace or sample delicious cuisine during Taste of Ireland at various park restaurants.

And don't miss a world of entertainment from The Russian National Theatre, Peru's Yawar Chicchi folk music & dance, Switzerland's Streichmusik Alder, featuring folk music and alpine horns, master yodeler Kerry Christensen, Ukraine's Dyvo Kalynove, children's folk music and dance group, Zambian Vocal Group, Trinidad's Stix on Steel and Ecuador's Atahualpa.

Click here for the complete list of new shows and events at Dollywood!