Blue Ridge Country Nov/Dec 2024 - 46

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S
anta
Claus might be famous
for his globe-trotting escapades
on Christmas Eve, but
his pre-season shenanigans
are just as lively. It's rumored that when
he's not busy training elves or tending to
reindeer, Kris is roving the Southeast in
search of jolly locales jam-packed with
Yuletide fun. These four small towns
made his nice list.
Party with Dolly and Friends
in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Country music star Dolly Parton loves
sequins, banana pudding and romance
novels. She also loves the holidays.
That much is evidenced by Dollywood's
Smoky Mountain Christmas.
During this award-winning experience,
Dolly's eponymous amusement
park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, transforms
into a winter wonderland trimmed
with more than six million holiday lights
and dozens of towering Christmas trees.
The park also hosts family-friendly musicals
and dishes up seasonal delicacies like
gingerbread funnel cake.
If you don't get your fill of holiday
cheer at Dollywood, head to downtown
Pigeon Forge for Smoky Mountain Winterfest:
a three-month-long extravaganza
featuring light displays, trolley tours, parades
and other special holiday events.
" Between the city and Dollywood
theme park, Pigeon Forge sparkles with
more than 12 million Winterfest lights, "
says Leon Downey, executive director of
the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
" Combined with our lineup of specPHOTOS
COURTESY OF SEE ROCK CITY INC.
tacular Christmas shows, great shopping
and delicious food, all set against a backdrop
of the Great Smoky Mountains,
Smoky Mountain Winterfest is truly the
most wonderful time of the year. "
As part of this celebration, the Great
Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in
nearby Townsend, Tennessee, will host
the Holiday Handcrafters Festival on
Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This market showcases the talent of more
than 30 regional artisans. While on the
grounds, you can also learn about Appalachian
culture by exploring the center's
historic structures and museum exhibits.
To refuel, grab some grub from
The Old Mill Restaurant, a 19th-century
grist mill-turned-eatery that serves
Southern-fried fare. Then,
rest your
weary head at Blue Mountain Mist, a
quaint inn with a wrap-around porch
that's perfect for sittin'.
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas
runs from November 1-January 5, 2025, at
Between the city and Dollywood theme park,
Pigeon Forge sparkles with more than 12 million
Smoky Mountain Winterfest lights-
" the most wonderful time of the year. "
46 BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Dollywood (2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd.,
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee). Visit dollywood.
com for ticket information. Smoky Mountain
Winterfest kicks off on November 7 in Pigeon
Forge and runs through February 17. See
pigeonforgewinterfest.com.
Ring in the Holidays Above
the Clouds in Lookout
Mountain, Georgia
Rock City is one of the region's most
popular natural attractions, and there is
little wonder why. Located in Lookout
Mountain, Georgia, this destination features
everything from a 4,100-foot walking
trail that twists and turns through
ancient rock formations to a 180-foot
suspension bridge overlooking the Chattanooga
Valley.
Though beautiful year-round, Rock
City is especially striking from early November
to January during the Enchanted
Garden of Lights.
" This award-winning event has become
a tradition for tens of thousands
of guests annually and boasts two million
lights, " says Meagan Jolley, a representative
with See Rock City, Inc.
" Look for new holiday-themed gnome
houses throughout the gardens, warm
up with some hot chocolate and make
lasting holiday memories along the Enchanted
Trail. "
In honor of the trail's 30th anniver
http://www.dollywood.com http://www.pigeonforgewinterfest.com http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
Blue Ridge Country Nov/Dec 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country Nov/Dec 2024
