The 34th Gatlinburg Christmas parade will be on Friday December the 4th this year. The superintendant of the park will be the Grand Marshall for this years parade. There will be classic cars and period dancing throughout the duration of the parade.

More than 100 parade entries, helium balloons and marching bands will line the streets for a great celebration. The parade will start at 7:30 and they are expecting about 80,000 people to attend.  Get a leg up on everyone with a Cabin or Chalet and ride the tram into downtown to watch the parade.

Gatlinburg officialy kicked winterfest into gear last night with the chili cookoff and Christmas lights last night. Pigeon Forge will be lighting up the Christmas spirit officialy tonight with fun festivities.  Chalet Village properties has about 6 units left for your mini vacation this weekend.  Call the office and ask about the remaining cabins and chalets and any vacation deals last minute.

The next 10 days are set to be weather friendly for any activity that you might want to explore.  A trip to Cades Cove would surely produce some deer or bear sightings.  A hike to Mount LeConte would be perfect with some of the greatest views on the East coast.

Remember the rock slide on I-40 if you are planning to come to the Gatlinburg area. You can always come through the National park starting in Cherokee. Be sure to check with the park service if incliment weather moves in for possilbe road closures.

The first week and weekend in November is shaping up to be the nicest week of the year.  The weather forecast is perfect for a fall getaway and a great Saturday for Tennessee Football. The Festivities start tonight with the Annual chili cookoff at 5:00 p.m. Grab a good heart warming bowl of chili and let the good times roll. Live music will be the background for the lighting of over 1 million Christmas lights throught the Heart of Gatlinburg.

Fire on the Mountain

If this doesn’t tell you why the traffic is so bad in Gatlinburg during October then nothing will.  This picture was taken between the 2nd and 3rd week of October this year.  Today is October 29th and the colors are still blazing around the base of the mountains and in Pigeon Forge.  There is not enough film in the world to take in all of the beauty of  The Great Smoky Mountains.  Everyday in October brings a different view.

Not sure of the Botanist name that gave this information but it seems to make sense.  The second week of October is the projected peak time for leaves between 5,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation.  Every one thousand feet you drop in elevation add 1 week for peak time.

Makes good sense because the higher up the mountain you go the cooler the weather gets. Cool weather is the catalyst for the changing process.

Having said that let me say this, Good luck with trying to time this process in East Tennessee. I have lived here all my life and if there is one thing for sure about our weather, it is for sure unpredictable.

The annual fireworks show is set for 10:00 p.m. in downtown Gatlinburg tonight July the 4th. The launch point will be right at the Space needle on airport road.

Chalet Village Properties wants to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July.

For the next 2 weeks the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will play host to one of the worlds most unique events.  Hundreds of thousands of fireflies will light up the night sky all around in sync.  The Gatlinburg Trolley service will be picking up at the Sugarlands Visitor center from 6 to 9. The ride will only cost $1.00.  This is the only form of transportation to elkmont as attendance is expected to be high.

Chalet Village Properties is only 2 miles from the sugarlands visitor center.

This weekend coming has become one of the most anticipated weekends for the whole year by the locals. Bloomin bluegrass and barbeque festival Starts Friday at 5:00 some of the greatest bluegrass bands from our area and abroad will be picking and grinning at the court house in Sevierville. The headlining band this year will be Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Not to mention Sevier County’s own Jimbo Whaley and Greenbriar.

If great bluegrass music is not enough then add on top of that a big heaping pile of BBQ ribs,baked beans and a ear of corn that would choke an elephant. While some of the greatest music ever played is taking place you are invited to help judge the best BBQ chefs in the United States as they battle it out for the title. There are arts and crafts vendors and a play area for the children to.

Also this weekend in Gatlinburg the Scottish games will be taking place. If you’ve ever wondered what it would have been like to live overseas back in the olden times this is your chance. Highland athletics,bagpipe competitions,whiskey tasting and border collie demonstrations are just a few of the events that will be taking place. http://www.gsfg.org

If your coming in from out of town to stay the night, be sure to visit our website at www.chaletvillage.com Pay for 2 nights and get the 3rd night free through May(excluding Memorial day)

On May the 15th the Scottish games will kick off in Gatlinburg for the 28th time.  There will be 2 days of  Highland dancing,border collie demonstrations,highland athletics, bagpipe competitions,entertainment,whiskey tasting,food and merchandise vendors. 

Chalet Village Properties still has many units open should you choose to bring the family and stay the night. Take advantage of the 3rd night free right now on any of our units.

There is no shortage of great organizations that raise money and help people from all walks of life in the world today.  I want to spotlight one that I personally think is on the top tier.  The shriners are dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our most prized possesions – the children.

The shriners help to fund 22 hospitals that provide care for children up to the age of 18.  Doctors there treat conditions such as burns,spinal cord injuries,cleft palates and various other orthapedic conditions.  These hospitals provide this service free of charge to eligible participants. 

There is something to be said about a group of people who are willing to give their time and efforts to a noble cause for free.  That something is “thank you”.  One of the high points about the shriners are their ambassadors who promote the cause.  These are normally middle aged to senior citizens that travel around the country putting on parades,circuses and other excellent shows to entertain and spread the good word.

Couldn’t be to bad of a gig though, who wouldn’t want to put on a clown outfit and right around in a souped up go-cart. The shriners will be in Pigeon Forge on May 2nd and 3rd to put on a parade and funfest. Bring the kids out and show your support. I am sure any donations that you have to offer will be greatly appreciated and you will receive a blessing for it.

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