It's getting chilly in the Smokies, and Winterfest is about to kick off at Pigeon Forge.
The award-winning Winterfest celebration is a four-month-long winter festival in Pigeon Forge featuring four million holiday lights, Christmas shows, trolley tours, outlet sales and more.
Here's the schedule:
12th Annual Winterfest Kickoff
November 8, 2001
Winterfest will begin with an official lighting ceremony in Patriot Park. More than four million sparkling lights will shine. With special guests: Harry Smith and Louise Mandrell. Free trolley rides, entertainment and food vendors will be on site. For more information call 1-800-251-9100.
Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
November 10 - December 30, 2001
The magical sights and sounds of the holidays come alive during Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas, a famous Pigeon Forge Winterfest event. You'll enjoy spectacular Yuletide entertainment, four million colorful lights and the nightly enchantment of "Carol of the Trees." Call 1-800-Dollywood for hours and dates of operation.
Winterfest Trolley Tours of Lights
See all of Pigeon Forge's Winterfest brilliant light displays while you travel around town in a comfortable temperature controlled trolley with a fun tour guide. This year, you'll also get a look at a series of displays that pay tribute to the U.S. military. Please call the Trolley Office at (865) 453-6444 for reservations.
World's Largest Outlet Extravaganza
Dec. 6-16, 2002
Belz Factory Outlet World, Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall and Tanger Outlet Center decided that offering great savings just wasn't enough during Winterfest, so now shoppers have the opportunity to win prizes, discount coupons and much more.
Wilderness Wildlife Week™
Jan. 5-13, 2002
Recognized as one of the nation's leading conservation education events, Wilderness Wildlife Week combines nature workshops and lectures with a variety of daily hikes on some of the best trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Saddle Up! Celebration
February 8-9, 2002
New for 2002 - Get out your cowboy hat and join Pigeon Forge in the First Annual Saddle Up Storytelling Event. Special guests: Baxter Black and Cowboy Celtic. For more information call 1-800-251-9100.
Smoky Mountains Storytelling Festival™
Feb. 22-23, 2002
Pigeon Forge is pleased to present Storytelling Concerts and Workshops that feature some of the Nation's best-loved performers. Call 865-429-7350 for tickets.
Shindig & Show Revue
Feb. 22-23, 2002
See highlights from some of Pigeon Forge's top rated shows during this popular Winterfest annual fundraiser. Comedians, musicians, singers, dancers and other talented performers all gather together to delight audiences. For reservations call the Country Tonite Theatre at 1-800-792-4308.
A Mountain Quiltfest
March 13-17, 2002
The 8th annual "A Mountain Quiltfest" is scheduled for March 13 - 17, 2002. For more information contact the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, Office of Special Events at 865-429-7350.
For more information on these and other Winterfest events, call 1-800-WINTERFEST.