Thursday May 7th Pigeon Forge will play host to Dolly Parton and the Dollywood Parade.  There will be all sorts of local floats, local high school bands and high school bands from abroad. The streets will be buzzing with people of all ages waiting to see the hometown hero.  If you are not aware of who Dolly Parton is and what she has accomplished you have been living under a rock!

Dolly Parton in the eyes of East Tennessee is as famous as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Her giving and generosity is unmatched by any “modern day” actor or singer that you see on television today. Take it from the author of this blog, I personally received $500.00 just for graduating high school from Dolly herself.  My daughter received a book every month for the first year of her life because of the Dollywood foundation. Going to school with the Parton family was pretty awesome and envious at times. I remember being in class in primary school and one of the Parton cousins was out for 2 weeks.  I thought she was sick only to later find out that Dolly had taken the whole family to Disneyland(California) and then flown them on over to Hawaii for vacation.

People tend to make fun of Dolly because the way she talks and her flashy dress.  She is most famous for her out of porportion body parts and her duet with Kenny Rogers in the 80′s. I can tell you with 100% certainty that Dolly Parton is as real as the mountain stream that runs by our office.  “Dolly Parton” is not an act or a cheesy schtick like a wrestler would adapt to draw fans.  Simply put – “Dolly Parton is Dolly Parton” That is all she knows and all she wants to be. 

If your taste in music steers you clear of Dolly Parton and you wonder why she is such a phenomenon, just visit East Tennessee and ask a few questions. You will soon find out that money and fame is no match for love and family. Dolly Parton is a hero of epic proportions in Pigeon Forge,Sevierville,Gatlinburg and the Appalachain mountains.

Pigeon Forge Traffic – Alternate Route – If you are traveling into Gatlinburg and want to avoid the traffic – Traveling West to East you will want to pass exit 407 and go on to Exit 435 in Newport.  Stay right when exiting and this will put you onto Hwy 321. Travel 321 into Gatlinburg.

Traveling East to West you will need to exit off of I-40 at exit 435. At the end of the exit make a left across the interstate and this will lead you onto Hwy 321 into Gatlinburg. There will be signs leading the way into Gatlinburg.

Spring is here and visits to the Great Smoky Mountains are up as well.  Since Last week end the phones have blown up here at our office.  We currently have about 110 properties here in Chalet Village and all but 6 were occupied last weekend. Gatlinburg Cabins and Chalets have long been sought after due to the privacy and luxury that your family receives over a hotel. For $99 per night and up you can stay in a full size Cabin or Chalet with a kitchen, king size beds, a pool table, whirlpool tubs, a view and a relaxing hot tub. 

How do you enjoy the most beautiful season in the Great Smoky Mountains? There is only one way to truly relax and unwind.  A Galtinburg cabin is the most peaceful escape you can put your hard earned time and money into.  Imagine waking up in your own private cabin and being able to walk out on the porch and take in the crisp mountain air and all the beauty that surrounds. 

Private whirlpools, Pool tables, Hot tub, Full Kitchen, Living Room, King Beds etc…. Staying in your own cabin or chalet is the obvious choice in the Fall, Winter,Spring, or summer. Pricing normally runs the same or just a few dollars more. 

Nobody knows how much you deserve to be pampered. Make the smart choice and rent a cabin or chalet and live the good life!!!

In a little more than 1 week Sevierville,Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg will be transported back in time for just a little while.  Cars from the 30′s,40′s,50′s,60′s, and 70,s will occupy the parking lots and streets of Sevier County.  Enthusiasts from near and far will pour in to catch a glimpse of the past,  hoping to relive their glory days for just a brief moment in time. Shades of the past will usher in the festivities from Sept 10th-11th.  The Die Hard car enthusiasts will stay the whole week to attend the Grand Rod Run from the 16th-19th.

There are few things that bring people together like the love of music or the love of cars. Music makes people feel good inside and can set your troubles free for about 3 to 4 minutes. Women love their cars because they can see the beauty and elegance of design.  Men love their cars kind of like a hunter loves his best dog, He knows there are other dogs out there but his is a cut above the rest.

Next to Christmas July 4 is the best holiday of the year. Cook outs,boats, fireworks,friends,and family all rolled up into 1 wonderful celebration.  There is just something about Independence day that rings true from the youngest child to the oldest veteran. No matter where you are in the United States you can be sure that on July 4 there will be fireworks to let the world know that the great people of this land are truly free.

This year in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg the festivals will be held on July 3 and 4.  Pigeon Forge will have live music at Patriot park including Diamond Rio and local favorite Jimbo Whaley and Greenbriar.  Gatlinburg will  start their festival with a parade at 12 midnight Saturday night. The Gatlinburg Firework Finale will start at 10 p.m. downtown.

School is out and Summer fun is in! Tired of the beach? Give the Great Smoky Mountains a try.  Be sure to come and stay in a Gatlinburg Cabin or Chalet.  Chalet Village Properties  is located in the heart of Gatlinburg where all the fun is. No matter where  you stay in Chalet Village you will be no more than 4 to 5 miles from Ober Gatlinburg. Ober Gatlinburg has indoor ice skating, water rides, kiddie rides, scenic chairlift, mini golf, and other great family activities.  May the 28th thru September 6 Ober will be running an armband special for certain rides.  There are 2 specials to choose from so be sure to check their website for details.

http://www.obergatlinburg.com/rates.htm

The Great Smoky Mountains will be filled with thunder the weekend of April 30th thru May 2nd. Thousands of motorcylces will flood Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to attend the Rumble in the Hills motorcycle rally. If you are a motorcycle enthusiast and are looking for the perfect backdrop to cruise you bike, Gatlinburg is the perfect spot.

Stay the night in a Gatlinburg Cabin and then ride into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg is only a short distance from Pigeon Forge which is where the actual rally will be held.

     Planning a Gatlinburg  family reunion is a touh task no matter how may people you are planning for.  Everyone in the family has a different opinion of what is nice, if its a good price and just all around functionality of  the accomodations.  Chalet Village Properties will help assist you with any questions that you may have from a 3 bedroom cabin all the way to the 8 bedroom chalet. The staff at Chalet Village knows every single house on the program and if there are any questions we can find the answer before you make your decision.

Gatlinburg Cabins are the perfect setting for a family reunion. Large private cabins or chalets with everything you need to cook and entertain or just hang out and re-live the old days.  If you desire a place to set up a catered event the Owners club has two clubhouses that are rentable and in the summer offer pools and tennis courts.  Please allow yourself ample time to plan a family reunion and if you are wanting to gather at the holidays you will need to call 1 year in advance as the large units book immediately.