Beginning this Sunday, bear experts from all over the world will be meeting for the 5th International Human-Bear Conflicts Workshop at the Park Vista Hotel in Gatlinburg. Bear specialists from Asia, the Middle East and South America will join their colleagues from the U.S. and Canada to discuss strategies on dealing with human-bear conflicts. Beginning in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in ...

The Stronger women’s retreat in Pigeon Forge will end on a funny note as comedian Heather Land performs on the retreat’s final day. Kathy Crabb, matriarch of the Grammy Award-winning Crabb Family, has hosted the Stronger women’s retreat in Pigeon Forge for several years. Ladies from all across the country have gathered in the mountains for services, food, fellowship and ...

Grand Ole Opry member Blake Shelton and Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. today announced plans to open a third Ole Red entertainment venue in the heart of Gatlinburg, Tenn. With a planned opening in spring 2019, Ole Red Gatlinburg will be a $9 million, multi-level 16,000-square-foot entertainment venue with a two-story bar and restaurant, retail area, performance space, dance floor and ...

Tune your guitar, warm up your vocal cords and break out your best magic tricks— Pigeon Forge is searching for top talent to participate in its inaugural Path to Fame Talent Competition. Auditions in three cities will determine 12 semi-finalists who advance to the final competition in Pigeon Forge on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Path to Fame Talent Competition auditions ...

As winter gives way to spring, residents and visitors should prepare for increased bear activity as black bears are emerging from their winter slumber, says the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Many reports of bear sightings are circulating around East Tennessee, which is not unusual considering it is bear country. According to TWRA Black Bear Coordinator Dan Gibbs, increased activity should be ...

The East Tennessee Kidney Foundation invites families, runners and volunteers to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and support local dialysis patients by participating in its Knox Shamrock Fest on March 16-17, 2018 in downtown Knoxville. The event includes a two-day Irish festival on Market Square and the 7th annual Lucky Kidney Run. “Whether you plan to run or walk in the ...

Crime enthusiasts, news buffs, and history lovers will enjoy the new additions to Alcatraz East Crime Museum beginning this spring. The area’s newest attraction intrigues visitors 365 days a year on what’s considered America’s favorite subject. In order to attract Pigeon Forge’s repeat visitors, the museum rotates items from its collection annually. This year, Alcatraz East has added interactive exhibits as well as new ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Officials announced the temporary closure of the Noah Bud Ogle Cabin, Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail, and associated parking area along Cherokee Orchard Road on Monday, March 19 through Thursday, March 22, 2018. No public access will be allowed during the closure due to tree removal work. The area is expected to reopen to the ...

With Dollywood’s emphasis on show-stopping entertainment in 2018, the park’s annual Festival of Nations kicks off the new season with a multi-cultural event featuring world-renowned talent. The celebration takes place March 16-April 9 and lets guests take a trip around the world without leaving the Smokies. This colorful, interactive event marks the beginning of Dollywood’s “Season of Showstoppers” with cultural ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that work crews will remove ten structures in Elkmont beginning the week of March 12, 2018. The removal of these structures, located near the former Wonderland Hotel, marks the end of major demolition work in the Elkmont area which began in 2010 as specified in the 2009 Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) among the ...