Historic Downtown Sevierville

Sevierville’s historic town square is just one of the reasons people make it a destination whenever they travel to the Smoky Mountains. Not only do you have the picturesque square with the Dolly Parton statue on courthouse lawn, there are a number of historic buildings located in direct vicinity of the courthouse.

Some of those specific buildings had nothing to do with local government. Places like Temple’s Feed Store where former County Commissioner Jimmie Temple married over 15,000 couples next to feed sacks and various household plants used to align the downtown area. Though the feed store is no longer there, people like Temple continue to conduct marriage ceremonies downtown. A variety of wedding chapels call historic downtown home and so does the town’s bus station which is located in Taulbee’s Restaurant.

Sevierville’s 108-year-old courthouse, located in the heart of downtown, is an excellent example of Victorian architecture. Built in 1895-96 for $22,000 and renovated in 1970-74 for $577,000, the courthouse is a direct reflection of the care and pride residents put into keeping the hometown feeling alive in downtown Sevierville. The latest addition cost $500,000 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse stands proud with 13-inch thick brick walls and a foundation made of limestone hauled from the old McCown place, the site where Vulcan Materials Company now stands. The Seth Thomas Clock in the courthouse tower originally cost $1,353 plus $42.55 freight.

These are just a few of the historic structures located downtown. Others, like the Harrisburg Covered Bridge can be found within a short drive from downtown. Just ask any of the locals that might be hanging around for directions…. They can point you to most places your looking for.

Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass

Sevierville’s 8th Annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival returns May 18-19.

Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass is back and better than ever for its 8th year with exciting new events beginning Friday, May 17 and running through Saturday, May 18 downtown. There will be something for everyone including a new mascot parade and dance competition on Friday evening. Then watch as the kids fire up their grills for the annual Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Kids’ Que.

Of course, there are lots of new food vendors and plenty of great new entertainment. Hear The Bluegrass Album Band performs live on stage Friday May 18th in a free concert. This iconic bluegrass group has only performed live together a handful of times in the last thirty years. For bluegrass fans, this will be a concert-of-a-lifetime opportunity. See all of the original band members, including Doyle Lawson, J.D. Crowe, Tony Rice, Bobby Hicks and Todd Phillips live on stage. Plus, Rickey Wasson and Phil Leadbetter will join them.

Speaking of new food vendors, Carolina BBQ Company, Carolina Rib King, Smoky Mountain Smokers, Evelyn’s Ice Cream, The Diner and Tony’s Kettle Korn are just a few of the vendors that will be on hand offering some of their best recipes over the weekend.

Friday evening, bands like The Roys, Jimbo Whaley & The Greenbrier, and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver will take the stage to the delight of all in attendance.

On Saturday, take time to browse through all the unique handcrafted items before seeing the bands on the main stage. Saturday performances include:

11 am – Cirque de Chine (Back Porch Stage)
11:30 am – Mountain Soul Vocal Competition (Back Porch Stage)
11:30 am – Lumberjack Feud (Main Stage)
Noon – Cirque de Chine (Main Stage)
1 pm – Mountain Ruckus (Main Stage)
1:30 pm – Lumberjack Feud (Back Porch Stage)
2 pm – Rickey Wasson & American Drive (Main Stage)
3 pm – Cumberland River (Main Stage)
4 pm – The Rigneys (Main Stage)
5 pm – Rickey Wasson & American Drive (Main Stage)
6 pm – Cumberland River (Main Stage)
7 pm – The Rigneys (Main Stage)
8 pm – The Bluegrass Album Band (Main Stage)

For those who love to Que, come to Sevierville early and enlist in our BBQ Boot Camp. May 15, 16 & 17, pick up tips and tricks for backyard BBQing, advanced BBQ smoking and even learn some new summertime dessert recipes! BBQ Boot Camp classes will be taught at the Rel Maples Institute for Culinary Arts at Walters State Community College in Sevierville, TN. This new facility offers state-of-the-art kitchen facilities rivaling major cooking schools nationwide.

For more information on this year’s festivities, check out BloominBBQ.com.

Sevierville Rates High in Citizen Survey

As if it didn’t know that it was a great place already, Sevierville was awarded high marks recently in public survey gauging the thoughts of its citizens.

Titled the National Citizen Survey, Sevierville rated highly in this initiative conducted by the city this past fall. High markings were given to Sevierville for the city’s overall appearance as well as several public works functions, such as street lighting, sidewalk maintenance, garbage collection, and snow removal.  Fire and police services ratings also came in above average in comparison to other cities who participated in the same municipality survey.

Sevierville got overwhelming marks for quality of life with most respondents giving the Smoky Mountains city reviews that showed them, 80% and above, very happy with Sevierville. In all, overall quality of life in Sevierville received a rating of ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ by 85 percent of residents taking part in the survey. More residents also expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the value and quality of city services they receive, as well as the overall direction the city is taking when it comes to those aforementioned areas.

The survey showed that Sevierville residents are more civic-minded, noting that residents commonly participate in religious activities and try to help out their neighbors – two encouraging statistics for people looking to move to the Sevierville area. The Sevierville Community Center is also used more often than like centers by the average citizen nationwide.

Traffic flow was identified as the area of greatest concern among respondents to the survey. Sevierville is continually working to make immediate adjustments and systematic internal improvements to the traffic flow system within the city limits, and is also working cooperatively with the state and neighboring cities to improve traffic flow as travelers move throughout the area, knowing that it is a popular tourist area throughout the year.

Sevierville Community Center

You could say that the Sevierville Community Center is a modern-day YMCA. Operated by the Sevierville Parks and Recreation Department, this multi-faceted facility was constructed to house two racquetball courts, a ten-lane bowling center with an arcade area, a weight room, a game room (with a pool table & air hockey table), a indoor pool (with balcony area), gymnasium, locker rooms and a meeting room. It’s open to the public and has become a focal point in the town’s ongoing effort to provide its citizens with the best in recreational opportunities.

The Sevierville Community Center does operate under a coordinated effort when it comes to operating its indoor pool. There is a listed pool schedule and it’s strictly operated in order to provide everyone who wants to take advantage of the pool equal time.

Sevierville Community Center Swimming Schedule

Monday/Wednesday/Friday:

8AM – 9AM: Map Swim/Exercise
9AM – 11AM: Open Swim
11AM – 1:30PM: Lap Swim
1PM – 2:30PM: Water Exercise Class
2:30PM – 3:30PM: Half Price Swim
6:30PM – 8:30PM: Open Swim

Tuesday/Thursday:

8AM – 9AM: Lap Swim
9AM – 11AM: Open Swim
11AM – 1PM: Lap Swim
1PM – 3:30PM: Open Swim
6:30PM – 8:30PM: Open Swim

Saturday:

9AM – 10AM: Lap Swim
10AM – 3:30PM: Open Swim

SUNDAY:

1PM – 5:30PM: Open Swim
In The Summer, The Pool Is Closed On Sundays

The Cost For Swimming Is:

$2.20: Adults, Age 13 And Over
$1.50: Children 12 And Under (And Seniors 55 And Over)
FREE For Children Under Age 3
SEASON PASSES:
$38.85: Adults
$27.80: Children & Seniors
SPECIAL BOOK OF 25 TICKETS:
$33.10: Adults
$22.05: Children & Seniors

Children Age 7 And Under Must Be Accompanied By An Adult 18 Years Of
Age Or Older.

Information, prices, specifications, hours, etc. subject to change.

Loretta Lynn Comes to the Smokies!

If you’re a fan of country music, or just music in general, you know or have heard some of Loretta Lynn’s songs. The Coal Miner’s Daughter is set to appear locally in April at the Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge. More specifically on April 12 to what is likely a sold out show.

Loretta Lynn has been performing her hits for over 50 years. Her work has been as well-received, commercially successful, and is as culturally significant, as any female performer that came before her or has come onto the scene since. Her music has confronted many of the major social issues of her time, and her life story is a rags-to-riches tale familiar to pop, rock and country fans alike.

The Coal Miner’s Daughter, which is a reference to one of her hit singles, an album, a best-selling autobiography, as well as an Oscar-winning film, and to Lynn herself came from the Kentucky hills all the way to Nashville super-stardom. She’s simply an American icon. Other hits include “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”, “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)”, and “Fist City”.

With over 160 songs and 60 albums under her belt, Lynn is one of the most talented artists in the business. She has had ten Number 1 albums and sixteen No. 1 singles on the country charts. Lynn has won dozens of awards from many different institutions, including four Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, twelve Academy of Country Music, eight Country Music Association and twenty-six fan voted Music City News awards. She was the first woman in country music to receive a certified gold album for 1967’s “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)”.

In 1972, Lynn was the first woman named “Entertainer of the Year” by the Country Music Association, and is one of six women to have received CMA’s highest award. She was named “Artist of the Decade” for the 1970s by the Academy of Country Music. Lynn was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999. She was also the recipient of Kennedy Center Honors in 2003. Lynn was the first female country artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1977.

Spring Corvette Expo & Auction

If you’re idea of a great Saturday consists of sitting behind the wheel of a classic ‘Vette, or talking Corvettes with other ‘Vette entusiasts, then be sure to be in Sevierville March 23-24 for the Spring Corvette Expo & Auction at the Sevierville Events Center.

If you’re idea of a great Saturday consists of sitting behind the wheel of a classic ‘Vette, or talking Corvettes with other ‘Vette entusiasts, then be sure to be in Sevierville March 22-23 for the Spring Corvette Expo & Auction at the Sevierville Events Center. The show features a Corvette auction, swap meet, park n’ show and more!

It only happens twice a year, so if you’re a lover of original American muscle, you won’t want to miss the Corvette Auction & Expo. The Corvette Expo in Sevierville features a large auction, indoor/outdoor swap meet, sales corral, Corvettes’ Cruise and a competition show! And it’s all open to the public starting at 10 a.m. Saturday the 23rd.

Last year, thousands of spectators came through the gates of the Events Center to see the 75-plus show cars, 114 auction cars, and a whopping 550-odd vehicles in the Sales Car Corral! Over 250 vendors setup booths both inside and outside.

The Corvette Expo & Auction is the perfect family-oriented show. With so many things to do in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Dollywood – just minutes away, this show is the perfect family getaway…and for all you gearheads, it’s just another excuse to take that hot rod out of the garage to show off!

The Corvette Expo & Auction is just one of the many classic car shows in the Sevierville area this spring, all leading up to the Grand Spring Rod Run in Pigeon Forge. Looking for a place to stay while you’re in town? Check out the best Sevierville cabin rentals, as well as Sevierville restaurants and the full Sevierville Calendar of Events.

The expo has actually been ongoing for over 30 years now, just not in Sevierville. The first Corvette Expo was held at Knoxville’s Chilhowee Park in March of 1977 before moving in 1980 to the Bill Mullins Exhibition Center in East Knoxville. The fall show in 1983 was held at the Knoxville Convention Center. Then, in the fall of 1987, the show shifted yet again to the Knoxville Auto Auction out west. In 1988, the event returned to Chilhowee Park, where the Corvette Expo enjoyed a 19-year run before moving to the new Sevierville Events Center.

For more information about the spring Corvette Expo & Auction, call 865-687-3976 or go to corvetteexpo.com.

Fall 2012 Corvette Auction & Expo video:

Sevierville to Host Recycling Event

Got any old computer hardware just sitting around the house and you just don’t know what to do with it? Well, Sevierville will take it. Then they’ll recycle it during a FREE recycling event this Saturday.

Just come by Sevierville City Hall, 120 Gary Wade Blvd, from 8 am -2 pm Saturday, March 23 to take part. Not only will the city be collecting used computer devices, they’ll also be taking any items you’d like to donate as well as paper and any documents that require shredding. The Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) will also be in attendance at the event to collect hazardous materials.

Sevier County, the city of Sevierville City, TDEC, Keep Sevier Beautiful, and Goodwill have all partnered in order to create awareness for recycling items responsibly and the importance of it.

By recycling, especially used computers and old electronics, it saves the environment from pollution and contamination, and helps keep waste out of the local landfills. Most computers contain hazardous materials, such as mercury and lead, so letting professionals take care of the disposal process ensures everyone’s safety.  Here in the Sevierville and Smoky Mountain region, initiatives like the DellReconnect recycling program have generated over one million pounds of recycled computers and accessories in the month of January alone.

Take to the outdoors in Sevierville!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located just outside Sevierville Tennessee, is THE most visited park in the nation’s national park system. On an annual basis, over 10 million visitors take in the half-million acre preserve whether it be walking one of the numerous hiking trails, taking a self-guided nature tour, fishing, enjoying the many waterfalls, spring wildflowers, and spotting wildlife.

Several towns including Sevierville TN have grown consistently due to the popularity of the park. Sevierville is known for its wide array lodging opportunities, fine dining and exciting attractions. Lodging accommodations include a number of luxury cabin and chalet rentals that overlook the park.

National park plans originated the 1920s thanks to groups in both Knoxville, TN and Asheville, NC who wanted to protect the area’s natural beauty. At that time lumber companies owned most of the land while the rest consisted mainly of small farms. Congress officially established the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934. The Rockefeller family donated the final $5 million needed to complete the park, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Park in 1940.

To this day, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park operates 3 visitor centers, preserves 77 historic pioneer structures, and maintains 1,100 campsites (including 100 backcountry campsites), 11 picnic grounds, over 800 miles of trails and 700 miles of pristine streams.

Hiking Trails – With over 800 miles of trails, there’s a trail for everyone from beginner to the expert hiker. Park and trail maps can be bought at any of the three visitor centers in the park. In addition, several excellent outfitters are in surrounding towns and villages that can provide them.

Fly Fishing – Trout fishing in the park requires a valid Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license. Trout fishing is a year-round practice in the Great Smoky Mountains—from a half hour before sunrise and up to a half hour following sunset. Know your fish, especially the brook trout, because there are some restrictions.

Cades Cove – Only minutes from Sevierville, Cades Cove is one of the most beautiful, and scenic areas of the park. The Cove’s pioneer homesteads, mountain vistas, deer, wild turkey and American black bear draw millions to area annually looking for that perfect Smoky Mountain photo. The National Park offers a self-guided tour book at the entrance. An 11-mile loop road that takes a little over one hour to complete in your vehicle, and circles the Cove.

Sevier County

Formed on September 18, 1794, Sevier County came about from part of neighboring Jefferson County. The county takes its name from John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee, who played a prominent role during the American Revolution as well as the settling of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Since its establishment in 1795, the county seat has been located in Sevierville, which is also named for John Sevier, and according to records is the eighth-oldest city in the state of Tennessee.

Prior to the late 1930s, Sevier County’s population, economy, and society, most of which revolved around farming and agriculture, was like any other county in the rural South. However, with the designation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the early 1930s, Sevier County’s outward appearance changed drastically. Today, tourism supports the county’s burgeoning economy and looks to be going that way in the future. The Smoky Mountains have become more of a destination in recent years and Sevier County and its towns and cities have all pushed for it whole-heartedly.

The Sevier County Courthouse in downtown Sevierville houses most of the county’s departments and service offices. The county mayor as well as other county officials including circuit court clerk, clerk and master, county clerk, property assessor, register of deeds, highway commissioner and trustee all work out of offices in the building. Services including vehicle tag renewals, property tax, business tax, driver license renewal, marriage applications, notary applications, beer permits, land records, traffic citations, and the like can all be addressed at the downtown courthouse. The count election commission also holds office downtown.

Roots & Boots Tour

Sevierville will be one of the tour stops this year for the popular “Roots & Boots” tour featuring country superstars Joe Diffie, Sammy Kershaw, and Aaron Tippin. The stop is scheduled for May 24 at the Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge.

These three men have placed over one hundred songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart over the years and stand behind 0ver 40 Top 10 hits. Last year’s inaugural “Roots & Boots” tour resulted in one of the most successful tours for the country signers so it was a no-brainer that the tour re-up for 2013.

Kershaw, whose hits include “Cadillac Style” and “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful” says, it’s a very loose, fun tour and he didn’t give a second thought to going back on the road.

People come for the music and get to see a more intimate side of the artists as they interact with each other and fans during each show. All three are on stage at the same time. They play their hits songs one after the other.

Diffie had previously done similar tours with Mark Chesnutt and Tracy Lawrence called the ‘Rockin’ Roadhouse Tour.’ That tour was complete with a full band. Fans attending the Roots & Boots Tour get to see a side of the artists they might not normally see. Diffie reiterates that there is some goofing off mixed in with a little talking and storytelling.

“Workin Man’s P.H.D.” and “You’ve Got To Stand For Something” are two of Tippin’s signature songs that you’re bound to hear at each tour stop, which is consistently selling out no matter the venue

Every show is unique, with a set list that changes from night to night. The trio are even making plans to collaborate on a new album that will feature each artist doing three songs separately – as well as three songs together, with plans to work the new material as possible singles.

“Who knows, maybe radio will give three country singers a shot,” said Kershaw, who added that he thinks the tour is working so well because of the unique vocal styles of the three men on stage.

“I think that’s what we all loved about country music. I think Joe Diffie is the greatest country singer in Nashville. When you hear Aaron Tippin on the radio, you know exactly who it is. And, he can deliver those songs like nobody else. I am such a fan of his. He’s a great live singer. Some singers have great records, but can’t sing live. That’s the truth.”

For more information, call (865) 453-2003 or visit www.firstclassconcerts.com.