EAST TENNSSEE, USA -- Once again, the Southeast Tourism Society has named Dollywood's "Smoky Mountain Christmas" holiday festival one of the Top Twenty events in the Southeast. And, rightly so! But, not only is Dolly Parton's famous themed amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee overflowing with sparkling lights, so is Pigeon Forge, itself, as well as the city of Gatlinburg. In fact, the millions upon millions of glittering Christmas lights continue right up to the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

The nationally renowned event runs from mid November to late December within Dollywood but continues straight through March in the surrounding area. Just about every building along the ten mile strip of Newfound Gap Road (route 441) is outlined with colorful lights and special scenes, some of which are animated.

Some of my favorites are the giant crystal chandelier, snowflakes that "fall" onto pine branches, Mount Rushmore, The Golden Gate Bridge, a liberty bell large enough to walk through and an 80-foot riverboat that seems to glide alongside the Little Pigeon Forge River. That's just in Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg is equally as fantastic and a true joy to experience.

The entire ten mile area is filled with craft villages, factory outlets, amusement parks, specialty shops, superb restaurants and other world class attractions. A number of live musical shows housed in permanent theatres along the way are reminiscent of those found in Branson, Missouri. There is a very special warm and cozy feeling wherever you go and that special charm brings millions of tourists back, year after year.

For a marvelous and memorable Christmas holiday, I can highly recommend your turning your wheels towards Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. There is so much to experience throughout the area, you could spend all week there and still have new things to see.

It's all only 35 miles southeast from Knoxville off the I-40 (exit 407) and an easy day trip for more than two thirds of the U.S. population. You can leave the hustle bustle of city life and escape to where the pace is leisurely and the chances to relax are numerous.

There are more than 15,000 overnight accommodations and 2,500 campsites plus over 1,700 campsites and public accommodations within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the only national park without a visitor's fee.

For further information contact these fine folks:

Dollywood, 1020 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863-4101 or call 800-DOLLYWOOD
Visit the Dollywood website at www.dollywood.com.

Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism, P.O. Box 1390, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 or call (800) 251-9100 or visit their website at www.mypigeonforge.com.

Gatlinburg Visitors & Convention Bureau, 234 Airport Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 or call (423) 436-2392 or visit their website at www.gatlinburg.com/visitor.htm.

Be sure to also read:

• Fun Family Dining in Eastern Tennessee
• Discovering Dollywood
  

  When Chuck Burnes isn't writing stories he's busy booking variety acts and producing shows through his Southern California based company, Periwinkle Productions.