Southeastern Select Alpaca Show

If you’re planning on bringing the kids into town, especially during the first weekend in March, a unique way to spend one of the days would be stopping by the Southeastern Select Alpaca Show.

Alpacas will be shown, and their fiber sold during the Southeastern Alpaca Association’s (SeAA) Southern Select Alpaca Show. The show will be held at the Sevierville Events Center March 1-3, 2013. Admission is FREE and open to the public. Friday, doors open at 8 a.m. and festivities will conclude Sunday at 6 p.m.

Alpacas from all across the south including all states that border Tennessee will be featured in the show ring competition. Alpaca enthusiasts, mark this on your calendar! Again, bring the kids to the show! The show will be comprised of classes judging and fleece quality judging in categories for both Suri and Huacaya alpacas.

Saturday morning will feature the halter classes, then the performance classes will be judged before things get started with the costume classes. If you decide to come out, the costume class judging is a great event to take in. Four age groups (under 9 years old, 9-11 years old, 12-14 years old and 15-19 years old) will strut their stuff with their costumed alpacas in the main show ring. This will all occur before lunch by the way.

The way this part of the judging works is that alpacas will be graded on the covering of the animal, the comfort of the animal with foreign objects on their head, legs and feet, how imaginative the costume is, as well as the story. Participants in this class must write in informing judges about their costume, the story, etc.

After the costume competition, fleece show winners will be presented at a special luncheon. Attendance is key if you are interested in learning more about the focus of the alpaca business.

Also on Saturday, an alpaca auction will begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free and appetizers will be served. A cash bar will be available. This auction is sure to keep you on your toes, showcasing top quality herd sires and a room full of energy and anticipation!

Throughout the weekend, artisans will showcase alpaca fiber and examples of felting, fiber arts and more. Dozens of vendors and farm displays will sell the latest alpaca fashions and hand-crafted items.

Meigs Falls

One of the lesser known and far less traveled trails to a Smoky Mountain waterfall is the Meigs Falls trail just outside Sevierville on the way to Gatlinburg.

To reach the falls, take the Meigs Creek Trail, which is located 11.4 miles west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center, just outside Gatlinburg in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The bottom of the falls is actually a great place during the spring and summer months for swimming and cooling off on a hot day.

Don’t judge the area by the parking lot. While it does stay busy and, the Meigs Creek Trail to Upper Meigs Falls is one of the less traversed. Most people use the lot to park and walk to other trails or points of interest in the area.

Just below the confluence of Curry Prong, Henderson Prong, Bunch Prong, and Bloody Branch on Meigs Creek you’ll find Upper Meigs Falls. It’s a 15-foot cascade into a small pool shaded by thick rhododendron and a hardwood forest. You must climb two hills on the way there, which makes it a moderately difficult hike.

The trail drops from The Sinks viewing area into a quiet forest and begins the first of two climbs. Look for bear in the thin understory of this second-growth cove. The trail climbs steadily west to a hairpin at .7 miles, where it turns sharply east and crests with views of Lumber Ridge and Meigs Mountain.

Note white pine, table mountain pitch, and various oak in this Pine Oak forest, a contrast to the poplar, tulip, and maple that dominated the north-facing slope just behind you.

The trail drops into a narrow valley and crosses three consecutive streams on the ravine floor. Maintain navigational vigilance on these sparingly marked crossings and through this notably cluttered forest. After the crossings the trail turns up beside Meigs Creek, where you’ll soon see Upper Meigs Falls through a small chute on your right. Scramble down to reach the falls and drop pool.

The falls spill down a slick rock face into a small pool ringed by boulders and debris. Space is limited, but there’s enough room to maneuver for additional perspective and look for salamanders, which are abundant in this area. The Meigs Creek Trail continues for 2 miles up to Buckhorn Gap at the Lumber Ridge Trail junction.

Waffle House in Sevierville? Quite Possibly.

Between Flapjacks, Log Cabin Pancake House, IHOP, and even Cracker Barrel, it would seem Sevierville has it covered when it comes to popular breakfast joints. Not so fast though. For that select crowd that considers breakfast a delicacy, there’s one place that seems to be missing: Waffle House.

But for how much longer? Not much it seems after a recent meeting of the Sevierville Regional Planning Commission who tossed around the idea of bringing the popular breakfast chain to the county seat. Apparently the spot picked out would be located right on Winfield Dunn Parkway.

The Waffle House restaurant would be in the lot just south of the Murphy Express gas station according to members.

Besides waffles, the Waffle House establishment is known for their coffee and world famous hash browns. It’s a popular spot no matter what time of day for people traveling in and out of town, or just people looking to grab a quick bite to eat on break during the day.

As mentioned, while there are many pancake restaurants in Sevierville, as well as Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, but there is no Waffle House.

Waffle House was founded in 1955 and is based out of Norcross, Ga. The company operates more than 1,500 restaurants in the United States.

Sevierville Bistro 109 to Expand

A favorite Sevierville restaurant looks to be expanding to other Smoky Mountain towns. Bistro 109, located just off courthouse square in downtown Sevierville, is opening up at another location, this time in Maryville, Tn. According to the current owner, Dustin Trent Manning, the new locale with be part restaurant, part floral/design shop.

The former Tomato Head restaurant in downtown Maryville is marked for the new Bistro 109. Plans are for an early April opening if their state liquor license goes through. If not, then later in the summer.

The decision to open up a new place came about because of the number of Maryville customers Manning sees at both of his places, not just the restaurant.

“We have been delivering floral arrangements there (Maryville) for the last 5 years,” he said.

He also operates a design office in downtown Sevierville on Court Avenue. The restaurant and floral design shop first opened in that locations right across the street from the courthouse.

The old Tomato Head building in Maryville has 4,800 square feet to operate in and will have seating for about 150 people, both inside and outside on the patio. He said plans are for the new restaurant to employ around 40 people.

As far as the menu goes, it will be primarily the same one that people have ordered from at Bistro 109 in Sevierville, but there will be an espresso bar to order from.

New plans also call for a wine bar at the Maryville, TN locale. There will be a number of local as well as international wines to choose from. Currently, Bistro 109 in Sevierville offers 40-50 types of wine from vintage to recently bottles from locations around the world.

The interior of the Maryville store will have the same upscale ambiance as the Sevierville restaurant.

There will be a live pianist every night. “We’re looking at a baby grand at this time,” Manning said.

Martin Luther King Day in Sevierville

Martin Luther King’s life, legacy, and teachings will again be celebrated at First Baptist Church in Sevierville this year on January 21 with a program featuring choirs, speakers, and much more. The day of remembrance is one of Sevierville’s annual featured events marking Dr. King’s birthday.

It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King’s actual birthday is January 15. The floating holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, though the act predated the establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by 15 years.

King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed on January 20, 1986. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

A Baptist minister, King led the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957. He led the 1963 March on Washington, where King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. On October 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolence.

King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday in 1986. Hundreds of streets in the U.S. and beyond have been renamed in his honor in the years following his death.

Smoky Mountain Springfest

Sevierville’s Smoky Mountain Springfest begins in early March and goes to June 7 throughout the Smoky Mountain region.

This year spring just can’t seem to get here fast enough.

That’s why Sevierville is ready to get things started going in that direction. Sevierville’s Smoky Mountain Springfest celebration begins mid March and continues through June 7. People can witness the town’s transformation into spring when the streets are lined with baskets of beautiful blooming flowers and plants. Pansies, daffodils, tulips, bougainvilleas, and wave petunias are among the many varieties of flowers that will be seen throughout town.

Marked as the beginning of springtime in the cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, Springfest is a 3 month celebration packed with events like the Mountain Quiltfest, Great Smoky Mountain Arts & Crafts Show, the Dollywood Parade, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations, Ribfest & Wings, the Spring Grand Rod Run, Bloomin BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, the Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, Gatlinburg’s Scottish Festival & Games, and many more.

As you can see, Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass is just one of many exciting events. From shopping events to baseball games to car shows and helicopter events, Smoky Mountain Springfest will be in full bloom in Sevierville.

Outside Sevierville, on Easter morning, join in the local tradition and attend Ober Gatlinburg’s 16th Annual Easter Sunrise Service. Free tram rides to the mountain top begin at 6 a.m. and continue in 15 minute intervals until the service begins at 6:30 a.m. Complimentary parking at the resort will be provided for those who prefer to drive. A breakfast buffet will be waiting and available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant from 7 a.m. Until 10:30 a.m.

Members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community will display unique handcrafted wares as they gather at the Gatlinburg Convention Center to host their annual Easter Arts & Crafts show April 4-7.

The smell of hickory-smoked barbeque will fill the air as folks roll up sleeves and dive in to sample their secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from vendors from all over the Southeast on Thursday, April 26 at Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings. This festive street party features live entertainment, lots of fun and barbeque ribs and wings on the open grill just for your tasting.

The 64th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage & Greener Living Expo, set to run April 25-29, is another great event, especially for hikers and nature lovers who love to see delicate wildflowers in bloom. Hosted by the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the University of Tennessee Botany Department, this five-day program offers more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and delightful motor excursions into the wonderful season of spring in the Smokies.

New Downtown Parking Lot Approved

People driving around trying to find parking downtown will have an easier time following a decision by the Sevierville Planning Commision to build a new downtown parking lot.

The lot will face Bruce Street between Court Avenue and Parkway. Its design, which was approved by the city’s Public Building Authority in December, features 77 parking spaces, as well as a landscaped area featuring a brand new gazebo.

The topic was brought about recently as the city and the Public Building Authority debated remodeling the Bruce Street at Court Avenue parking lot.

The PBA actually went ahead an approved the design as presented with the idea of encouraging more downtown weddings and so forth. In recent years, the parking lot has been used for large events like the Bloomin’ Bar-be-Que and Bluegrass festival, but that’s primarily it.

Plans call for the lot’s availability, if the city proceeds, to be scheduled for May 1, which is 16 days before the 2013 Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival.

Construction could run anywhere between $334,000 and $342,000.

Following the city’s Bloomin’ Barbecue & Bluegrass festival, the lot will receive finishing touches including a top coat of pavement, striping and landscaping.

Speaking of the Bloomin’ BBQ and Bluegrass Festival, the town’s 9th annual festival dedicated to all thing BBQ and bluegrass is coming up quick. It is a family oriented event marking the oncoming of Spring in the Smoky Mountains, championship barbeque and world class bluegrass music. Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass takes place each year during Smoky Mountain Springfest in historic downtown Sevierville, Tennessee. The Barbeque Cook-Off is an official barbeque championship of the state of Tennessee and is coordinated by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.

During the meeting, it was reiterated that the lot would serve as the site for the town’s Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass festival, which the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce annually stages in May.

Russell Stover Opens New Outlet in Kodak

Walking into the new Russell Stover Outlet in Kodak, it’s almost like unwrapping a brand new piece of candy and taking that first bite. It’s just that good. Their new digs just opened right across the road from their old ones and it’s pretty impressive. It’ll definitely catch your eye as you’re coming off Interstate 40 toward Sevierville.

In all, the new store totals 10,000 square feet of retail outlet space.  If you’re wondering what will happen with the old store across the street, don’t worry, it will operate as it has, just with a smaller offering. The new candy retail store will offer a much larger selection and additional items unavailable at the old location. Some of those additional offerings include such items as candy apples, homemade fudge, baked goods, Blue Bell ice cream and frozen custard.

Russell Stover Candies broke ground on their newest retail store last year and is officially open for business. The two Kodak stores are part of a nationwide chain that includes 39 Russell Stover retail locations across the country. The new Kodak location is one of three new stores just recently constructed.

“We are glad to be expanding our retail operations in the Sevier market,” said Trey Magruder, Director of Store Operations. “There is a lot of excitement in this market for our products and everyone here is appreciative of our presence.” Russell Stover is the largest producer of boxed chocolates in the United States.

Russell Stover has been making delicious chocolates and candy since 1923 when Russell and Clara Stover started selling candy from their home in Denver, Colorado. The original candy, marketed as “Mrs. Stover’s Bungalow Candies,” changed about 20 years later to Russell Stover Candies. Russell Stover Candies can be found at over 70,000 drug stores, card and gift shops, grocery stores, department stores and retail stores throughout all 50 states and over 20 countries around the world.

Big Creek

One of the great little getaways just outside Sevierville in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park happens to be an area called “Big Creek” near Cosby, Tn. Whether you’re looking for hiking, camping, or picnicking opportunities, the Big Creek section of the park has it all.

As far as hiking goes, it’s a fairly easy jaunt in the national park. Off of Hwy. 32 in Cosby, which is easy to access coming from Interstate 40 or from Hwy. 321 in Gatlinburg, you’ll find the ranger station with a parking area and the trailhead to Mount Cammerer. Walking on, there is another hiking area for hikers, restrooms, and a camping area before you come to a small trail that leads to the Big Creek Trail.

The Big Creek Trail starts out on steep climb before coming to several pools of water fairly large in size and definitely big enough to swim in during the spring and summer months. The diamond of this hike comes up in another half mile – the Midnight Hole. The Midnight Hole is renowned for its swimming, as well as picnicking opportunities, which are many.

After you’ve cooled off and grabbed your lunch, hop back on the trail and marvel at Mouse Creek Falls, a beautiful Smoky Mountains waterfall approximately 2 miles from the trailhead.

Continuing on the trail, you’ll pass over the creek by way of a wooden bridge. This is a tempting spot for the fishermen in all of as Smoky Mountain trout can be spot swimming with the current if you look closely under the bridge. This creek will also continue to follow the trail until you reach the Walnut Bottoms backcountry camping area in another few miles.

If you’re looking to get into some the more primitive areas of the Smokies, the Big Creek Trail section of the park is the answer.

Additional information on Big Creek camping: The are only 2 backcountry camping sites – Walnut Bottom and Mount Sterling. The Big Creek campground has space for 12 tents and sites run about $35 a night. The campground is open from March 17 – November 1. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-365-2267.

Dolly Parton

Sevier County’s favorite daughter Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946 in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, just outside of Sevierville in the Smoky Mountains.

One of 12 children, she moved to Nashville to pursue music following high school and has won numerous Country Music Awards, Grammys and starred in hit films like “9 to 5,” and “Steel Magnolias” in the years since. In 1985, Parton opened her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

Born Dolly Rebecca Parton, she grew up in a poor family and made up songs to escape every day struggles. Her talent showed as by the time she turned 11, she was already singing on local radio stations.

Parton launched her solo career in 1967, and though she partnered with Porter Wagoner for his television show from 1967-1975, she remained primarily a solo act. (It was for Wagoner that Parton dedicated the ever-popular “I Will Always Love You.”) She won the Country Music Award for female vocalist in 1975 and 1976.

In 1987, she recorded Trio with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. In 1993, she put out another collaboration with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette titled Honky Tonk Angels. In 1999, she returned to acoustics with The Grass Is Blue, which won a Grammy for best bluegrass album. Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

In addition to music, Parton also became interested in acting, starring in 1980’s 9 to 5, 1982’s Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and 1989’s Steel Magnolias. She also opened the Dollywood theme park in 1985, which continues to be one of the South’s most popular vacation destinations. Parton is married to Carl Dean, who runs an asphalt-paving business. They married in 1966.

Parton launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1996 to benefit children living in Sevier County. Dolly’s vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. By mailing high quality, age-appropriate books directly to their homes, she wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she could insure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.

Dolly’s Imagination Library became so popular that in the year 2000 she announced that she would make the program available for replication to any community that was willing to partner with her to support it locally. Since the initial program launch in the United States, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gone from just a few dozen books to nearly 40,000,000 books mailed to children in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.