Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 55
The Great Smokies are the backdrop for a week of natural discoveries and delights.
24th year. He first attended as a spectator in 2012
and then became a presenter in 2013 where he says,
"people flocked to the llamas."
This year WWW is set to run Saturday, January
25 through Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the
brand-new LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge.
For those who love the outdoors and wildlife,
this eight-day conference seems too good to be
true. The packed schedule, which begins each day
at 8 a.m. and goes straight through 9 p.m. or later
in some cases, includes hands-on workshops, seminars, lectures and guided hikes led by a fascinating
line-up of experts and speakers who volunteer their
time. It's offered without an admission fee. Yes,
you read that right - this conference is free and
open to anyone who wants to learn about the natural world.
It all started when famed wildlife photographer
Ken Jenkins, who owns Beneath the Smoke Gallery
in downtown Gatlinburg, presented a plan to
Pigeon Forge officials for a Wilderness Wildlife
Day. They embraced the idea and about 60 people
showed up that first year. Interest was so strong it
quickly evolved into a weeklong program and has
grown to numbers well beyond Jenkins' expectations. Last year, 24,000 people took part.
"It's astounding," says Jenkins. "The indication
is people are hungry for information about the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ways
to enjoy it. We don't charge for this. There's no
gimmick involved."
He congratulates Pigeon Forge officials for running with the idea and having the vision to see the
great return on offering something for free.
"The more you tell people about this park, the
more they will enjoy it," says Jenkins. "It's a common sense approach to getting people involved and
having them visit more often.
"There's a really great atmosphere," he continues. "It's not just the speakers, but individuals
sharing information with each other. It creates a
family atmosphere. It's a clean, wholesome
environment."
Plenty of Choices
Butch Helton, director of special events for Pigeon
Forge Tourism, says he's been involved with WWW
since 2000.
"When I first started, we had 10 to 12,000
people coming. This year we're offering 335
classes. That's up 50 or 60 over what we did last
year. We will also have 51 hikes and field trips of
varying lengths and abilities as well as 60 on-site
vendors."
The programming is designed to appeal to all
ages, including a special kids' track of choices,
which includes such offerings as "Tall Tales for
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 | 55
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014
Cover
Table of Contents
Letters/Worth a Click
From the Editor
Creature Feature
From the Farm
Great Home Buys
Digital Help Guide
Mountain Report
The Hike
Festivals & Events
Mountain Curios: Racing Lawn Mowers
Mountain Curios: Stamping Out Squirrel Sex!
Mountain Curios: A Library as Big as a Breadbox?
Mountain Curios: Mill from 1794 Still Turns!
Mountain Curios: Indian Mounds in Downtown!
Travel Guide 2014: A Year of Great Festivals!
The Blue Ridge Parkway Photoessay
Travel Guide 2014: A Foodie's Dream Journey
Travel Guide 2014: The Retro Pilgrimage
Wilderness Institute in the Smokies
Mountain Garden
Cabin in the Woods: Royal Oaks Retreat
Guest Column
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Intro
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Cover
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Cover2
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Table of Contents
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 4
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Letters/Worth a Click
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - From the Editor
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Creature Feature
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - From the Farm
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 9
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Great Home Buys
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 11
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 12
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Digital Help Guide
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Mountain Report
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 15
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - The Hike
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 17
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Festivals & Events
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 19
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 20
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 21
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 22
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Mountain Curios: Racing Lawn Mowers
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Mountain Curios: Stamping Out Squirrel Sex!
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Mountain Curios: A Library as Big as a Breadbox?
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Mountain Curios: Mill from 1794 Still Turns!
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Mountain Curios: Indian Mounds in Downtown!
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Travel Guide 2014: A Year of Great Festivals!
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 29
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 30
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 31
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 32
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 33
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - The Blue Ridge Parkway Photoessay
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 35
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 36
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 37
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Travel Guide 2014: A Foodie's Dream Journey
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 39
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 40
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 41
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 42
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 43
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 44
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 45
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 46
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 47
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Travel Guide 2014: The Retro Pilgrimage
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 49
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 50
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 51
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 52
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 53
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Wilderness Institute in the Smokies
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 55
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 56
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 57
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 58
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Mountain Garden
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 60
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 61
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Cabin in the Woods: Royal Oaks Retreat
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 63
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 64
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - 65
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Guest Column
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Cover3
Blue Ridge Country - January/February 2014 - Cover4
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