The new Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge has officially opened.  The new attraction has become an instant landmark as it sits atop the hill on the corner of Parkway Boulevard and Showplace Boulevard and has a signature look all its own.  With famous faces carved into the exterior of the building, Mount Rushmore-style, and a giant King Kong scaling a recreated Empire State building, the Hollywood Wax Museum is a unique attraction that brings you up-close to your favorite stars.

Standing two stores, the wax museum features wax figures recreates so artfully you’d swear they were real.  The museum is the perfect place for photo opportunities, especially with some of today’s most popular stars recreated in uncanny replicas.  Current stars like Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman and Brad Pitt stand side by side classic entertainers like Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and John Wayne. 

Hollywood Wax Museum Pigeon Forge is also home to the Castle of Chaos 5D Adventure and Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors.  Here’s the inside scoop on those attractions:

Castle of Chaos 5D Adventure: Join the battle against evil!  This adventure combines the experience of a 3D film, ride and video game in one scary, fun adventure.  Put on your 3D glasses, pick up your pistol, and explore the eerie Pigeon Forge castle that’s been rumored to host evil supernatural activity.  Get ready to see, hear, feel and smell the chaos as you shoot for the highest score. 

Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors:  Are you the chosen one?  Find your way through the mirrored corridors hidden deep within the Castle of Savannah and be a hero.  Winners are shown on-screen at the end of every haunted ride.  Discover 288 potential turns among hundreds of mirrored walls and archways, plus several sections where you see infinite reflections in every direction.

From June 22 – July 29 come be part of the largest kids’ festival in the south at Dollywood. KidsFest is 38 days filled with special musical, interactive, and comedic performances specially designed for kids. Don’t miss the following performances:

The Gazillion Bubbles Show

June 22 - July 29

You’ll be amazed at what you can do with bubbles at The Gazillion Bubbles Show. See millions of bubbles combined with lasers, special lighting effects, and brilliant artistry. The show will be at Dollywood Tuesdays – Sundays.

Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience

June 22 – July 29

This performance will astound you as dogs take the stage and perform tricks, stunts, and incredible jumps. The Stunt Dog Experience has been seen on Oprah, Nickelodeon, and Animal Planet.

Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse

June 15 – August 5

The Penguin Players will bring three storybook classics to life in 20-minute musicals. Sing along as you watch the tales of The Little Engine That Could, Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad, and Otis.

While you’re at Dollywood, make sure to experience the newest coaster, Wild Eagle, and the other 40+ rides and attractions in the park. Get the most out of your Pigeon Forge vacation and book a Dollywood vacation package that includes park tickets plus lodging. Or bundle with other attractions like Dixie Stampede or Splash Country for even more fun.

The Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud is hosting the Stihl Timbersports Series U.S. Championship June 1-3, 2012.  The event, billed as “The Original Extreme Sport,” features pro and collegiate athletes.  This is the first time the Stihl Timbersports Championship series has been in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The Stihl Timbersports Series pro competition consists of six professional lumberjack disciplines, the hot saw, single buck, springboard chop, standing block chop, stock saw and underhand chop. Held in conjunction with the Collegiate Series, the qualifying rounds pit the top eight lumberjacks in the region against each other with the top four pro athletes from each advancing to the Stihl Timbersports Series Pro Championship. In addition to receiving the ultimate bragging rights in lumberjack sports and a Ram 1500 truck, the top U.S. competitor also advances to the World Championship in Lillehammer, Norway Sept. 8-9.

The Collegiate Championship, held every year in conjunction with the Stihl Timbersports U.S. Pro Championship, pits the five regional collegiate champions and one wildcard pick against each other. The collegiate champion not only wins an automatic spot in the Pro Series the following season, but also a spot competing on the rookie relay team in the 2012 Stihl Timbersports Series World Championship held in Lillehammer, Norway Sept. 8-9.

The Daily Event Schedule is as follows:

Friday, June 1 U.S. Championship – Round 1 Top 20 U.S. pros compete in six disciplines. The top 8 pros advance to the final round. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. EDT

Saturday, June 2 U.S. Championship – Final Round Top 8 U.S. pro lumberjacks compete in six disciplines. Top performer is crowned the 2012 U.S. champion. Noon-3 p.m. EDT

Sunday, June 3 Collegiate Championship and U.S. Relay Six collegiate lumberjacks compete in four disciplines for the Collegiate Championship title. U.S. Relay Noon-3 p.m. EDT

To purchase tickets for the Stihl Timbersports Championship contact the Lumberjack Feud box office.

June 1-2:  2012 Relay For Life of Sevier County

Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society begins at 6 p.m. at Patriot Park. Register online.

June 1-3:  Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show

The 12^th annual car show will be held at The Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge. Bring the whole family and see Pontiacs from all over the country.

June 2-10:  Synchronous Fireflies of Elkmont

Witness fireflies light up the night sky in unison in the Smoky Mountains for one week during June. This special event will only be accessible via the Gatlinburg trolleys.

June 15-16:  The All Chevys Supernationals III

The Chevy car show will be held at the City Municipal Parking Lot in Pigeon Forge.

June 22 – July 29:  KidsFest at Dollywood

Don’t miss the South’s largest children’s festival. Dollywood will be having special events, shows, and programs just for kids during KidsFest.

Celebrate America’s birthday in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at Patriot Park!  The annual Pigeon Forge 4th of July event will be headlined by John Anderson and The Lovin’ Spoonful.

Festivities at Patriot Park will begin at 1pm on July 4.  Free to the public, the 4th of July festival will feature an afternoon and evening of food, games, entertainment and fireworks.  A Kids Carnival with inflatables and games will also be available. 

Headliner John Anderson is a pure country artist known for his authentic songs. From the fun "Just-a-Swingin" to the inspirational "Seminole Wind," Anderson is sure to be a big draw.  Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame members The Lovin’ Spoonful is famous for their hits “Do You Believe in Magic” and “Summer in the City.”   Their sounds will provide the perfect soundtrack to this summer celebration.

Fireworks will light up the sky around 9:30 or 9:45pm.

So grab a lawn chair or a blanket and make plans to mark our nation’s Independence Day in the Smokies.

For two weeks every June, the fireflies in Great Smoky Mountain National Park will light up in unison. This phenomenon occurs during mating season and affects all the males of a particular type of species. You can see this natural lightshow in Elkmont June 2-10.

Transportation Information

The yearly event has become so popular that park officials are closing the Elkmont entrance to pedestrians and vehicular traffic every night from 5 p.m. – midnight June 2-10. The only way to view the fireflies is by catching a trolley service, provided by the City of Gatlinburg in conjunction with the park. The trolleys will pick up visitors from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area beginning every night at 7 p.m. and will run until 9 p.m. The last trolley to return visitors from Elkmont will be at 11 p.m. A roundtrip ride on the trolley will cost $1.

There are a few things to keep in mind if you plan on viewing the fireflies.

• You can bring flashlights to get to the viewing area, but cover them with red or blue cellophane, so as not to disrupt the fireflies or other people.
• Only point your flashlight at the ground and turn it off completely when you get to your viewing spot.
• You can bring lawn chairs, food, and water, but no coolers, pets, or alcoholic beverages.

If you’re lucky enough to be in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area during mating season, we definitely recommend a special trip to see this natural lightshow. You won’t be disappointed!

WonderWorks Pigeon Forge

Families love Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for its wide selection of things to do, including the popular WonderWorks attraction.  Driving down the Parkway, WonderWorks attracts your attention right away! The building has an upside-down look, and legend has it that it landed in Pigeon Forge after a storm in the Bermuda Triangle.  The storm relocated this top secret laboratory and all of its greatest experiments to the Smoky Mountains and now visitors and locals alike can experience all of the interactive attractions inside. 

When you enter WonderWorks Pigeon Forge, be sure to bring your imagination with you.  A quick walk through the inversion tunnel leads you to an amusement park for the mind, featuring unique exhibits and activities for those of all ages.  You can learn about the 1989 San Francisco and actually feel a simulated 5.3 quake at the Quake Café.  Get blown away at Hurricane Shack, where you can feel the force of 84mph winds.  That's a level one hurricane!  Visit the Sound Lab to experience 3D sounds, play virtual air hockey, create a musical masterpiece on the floor piano and dance the night away at Recollections – a heat sensor, body motion capture exhibit.    Kids of all ages love bubbles so head to the Bubble Lab to try out your bubble expertise or if you’re up for a thrill check out WonderWork’s Wonder Simulators, where you can create your own roller coaster.

Hold on tight at the Hurricane Shack!

The fun doesn’t stop there, though.  Take your mind for a trip at the Far Out Illusion Gallery, and then put it to the test at Mind Ball, an EEG technology game where participants move the ball with their mind.  Try out your Major League pitching skills at Velocity Ball and test your courage at Bed of Nails.  There’s a Space Zone, too, where you can explore a life size replica of an Astronaut Space Suit and Mercury Capsule. 

Test your throwing arm at Velocity Ball

Don’t’ forget about the Challenge Zone, home to the Extreme 360 Bike and Rock Climbing Wall.  The Xtreme 360 Bike is one of the most popular WonderWorks attractions.  At this interactive exhibit, guests pedal on tandem bikes as they try to generate enough power to complete a full loop over the top and back to its original position. 


Xtreme 360 Bike

Make sure to leave time for a game of laser tag and to conquer their large indoor ropes course.  You can also get tickets to Wonders of Magic, a show performed at the WonderWorks Theater, to make a day of it.  The best part about WonderWorks tickets is they are valid for the whole day, so you can come and go from the attraction as you please.  It's a great value for families and is entertaining for those of all ages.  Be sure to make it a part of your next Pigeon Forge vacation. 

What better way to kick off the summer than Dollywood’s ever-popular Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival. This free concert series has some of the biggest names in bluegrass music and some of the best BBQ in the country. Scheduled for May 26 – June 10, this event has long been one of the main festivals at Dollywood. So mark your calendars now and come back often to see some of your favorite bands.

The 14-day event features 300 concerts, all free with Dollywood park admission. Here’s a look at the current line-up of performers:

 May 26:  Steel Bridge

 May 26 - June 10:  Brian Keith Wallen

 May 26 & 27:  Dailey & Vincent

 May 26 & 27:  Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

 May 26 & 27:  Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike

 May 26 & 28:  Grassabillies

 May 27:  Mountain Soul

 May 27 & 28:  All 4 Hym

 May 28:  Kenny & Amanda Smith

 May 28:  Larry Gillis & His Hard Driving Bluegrass Band

 May 28:  Lonesome River Band

 May 28 & 29:  Russell Moore & IIIRD Tyme Out

 May 29:  Jerry Butler & the Blu J's

 May 29:  Outta the Blue

 May 29 & 30:  Mountain Faith

 May 30:  Gibson Brothers

 May 30:  Matt Wallace & Friends

 May 30 & 31:  The Roys

 May 31:  JC & Last Resort

 May 31 - June 3:  Breaking Grass

 May 31 - June 4:  The Willis Clan

 May 31 & June 1:  Crosspoint String Band

 May 31 & June 1:  Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver

 June 1:  Just Us Bluegrass Band

 June 1 & 2:  Rhonda Vincent & the Rage

 June 2 & 3:  Marty Raybon

 June 2 & 3:  New River Bluegrass

 June 3:  Walking in Tradition

 June 3 & 4:  Balsam Range

 June 4:  Tazewell Pike

 June 4:  Willow & the Mountain

 June 4 & 5:  Marksmen

 June 4 & 5:  Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

 June 5:  Youn's

 June 5 & 6:  Appalachian Harmony

 June 5 & 6:  The Cleverlys

 June 5 & 6:  J.D. Crowe & New South

 June 6:  The Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band

 June 6 & 8:  The Larkins

 June 7 & 8:  Cumberland River

 June 7 & 8:  Daniel Rothwell & Overall Creek

 June 7 & 8:  Grascals

 June 8:  Ken Wilson

 June 8 & 10:  Lakeside

 June 9:  Locust Ridge

 June 9:  Shadow Ridge

 June 9 & 10:  The Expedition Show

 June 9 & 10:  LaTresa

 June 9 & 10:  Mountain Drive

 June 9 & 10:  Riders In the Sky

*All performances are subject to change

While you're at Dollywood don't forget to check out the newest coaster, Wild Eagle.

Dollywood has created a whole new experience for guests in 2012.

The park introduced the $20 million Wild Eagle steel wing coaster, the first of its kind in the United States, on March 24, 2012. The coaster features an innovative floorless design that positions riders, seated four to a row, in a forward-facing position. Two of the riders will be seated on the “wings” of the coaster along either side of the coaster’s track, with nothing but air above and below them. Dolly Parton, owner of Dollywood, stated the Wild Eagle will offer guests a birds-eye view of the Smokies as they soar above Dollywood Theme Park.

Located in the park’s Wilderness Pass area, the coaster rises 21 stories high. The track measures 3,127 feet and reaches a top speed of 61mph. It features four inversions, including a giant loop, zero-gravity roll and giant flat spin. The $20 million coaster includes a plummeting 135-foot first drop and lasts nearly 2 ½ minutes.

Wild Eagle joins Dollywood’s award-winning lineup of coasters. Thunderhead, twice named the world’s best wooden coaster, consistently ranks among the world’s top five. It was built in 2004. Mystery Mine, a 1,811-foot-long steel coaster, opened in 2007 and was named Theme Park Insider’s best new theme park attraction the same year. In addition, Dollywood is a two-time Golden Ticket Award winner for Best Shows and three-time winner for Best Christmas Event.

Reserve your Dollywood vacation package today to soar with the Wild Eagle in 2012.

May 3-5:  Yellow Mustang Car Show

Takes place at The Inn at Christmas Place. Call 888-465-9644 for more information or visit their website.

May 4-5:  Townsend Spring Festival and Old Timers Day

Head over to Townsend for their spring celebration and enjoy bluegrass music, clogging, arts and crafts, barbeque, Appalachian skills demonstrations, and wildflower walks. View the complete schedule online.

May 5:  Cinco de Mayo Festival

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza. Enjoy live music and great food.

May 9-11:  Southeastern Pedal Car Show

Takes place at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center. Call 800-223-6707 for more details.

May 11:  27th Annual Dolly’s Homecoming Parade

Don’t miss the annual Dolly Parton parade in Pigeon Forge. See parade favorites like clowns, baton twirlers, marching bands, and floats, plus Dolly Parton herself!

May 17-19:  Chevy Classics Car Show

Takes place at The Inn at Christmas Place. Call 888-465-9644 for more information or visit their website.

May 17-19:  34th Annual F-100 Supernationals & All Ford Show

Takes place at the Pigeon Forge Municipal Parking Facility. Visit their website for more details.

May 26 – June 10:  Barbeque & Bluegrass at Dollywood

This free concert series will showcase some of the biggest names in bluegrass music. Combined with finger-licking BBQ, you won’t want to miss this Dollywood festival.