2013 Tax Free Weekend

2012 sales tax holiday hits Sevierville Aug. 5 and shoppers can save at Tanger Five Oaks outlet mall as well as other shopping destinations around town.

Take note all you coupon-clippers and bargain hunters – the 2013 Tax Free Weekend in Tennessee takes place on the first Friday of August (Aug. 2) starting at 12:01 a.m. that Friday and lasts until 11:59 p.m. the following Sunday night. This is a perfect time to visit Sevierville, TN if you love to shop! Sevierville’s outlet malls and stores will be loaded with back-to-school essentials and other items to save on. Be sure to peruse Five Oaks Mall in Sevierville, TN, which has plenty of great stores such as:

  • Under Armour, Rockport, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, J.Crew, Old Navy, Pac Sun, Gap, Sunglass Hut, Carter’s, Children’s Place, Polo Ralph Lauren, Strasburg Children, Hartstrings, Bath & Body Works, Disney, Adidas, Lids, and so much more!

There are tons of items that can be bought and not have to pay taxes on. According to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, here are the following guidelines for what can be purchased tax-free:

Clothing – $100 or less per item
School & Art Supplies – $100 or less per item
Computers – $1,500 per bundled package

If you have questions about the tax free weekend in Tennessee, you can call (800) 342-1003 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and they can help you understand what can be bought and how much can be spent in order to not have to pay taxes on it.

What’s better than not having to pay taxes on your purchases? Well….not much…but coupons help out!!! Be sure to visit our coupons for Pigeon Forge page to find the best discounts and Pigeon Forge and Sevierville coupons for your shopping spree…you can also save money on food, entertainment, and accommodations with our list of coupons!

You can also visit the Sales Tax Holiday Web site at www.tntaxholiday.com to learn more about the weekend’s exempt items.

Enjoy your tax free weekend of shopping in Sevierville, Tennessee!

The Fourth of July in Sevierville

The Fourth of July holiday weekend means a handful of celebrations in and around Sevierville, TN including Gatlinburg’s Midnight Independence Day Parade.

As with every year, the July 4 weekend looks to be an especially busy one around Sevierville as a number of festivities have been planned in celebration of our Independence Day. This all leads up to the Gatlinburg Midnight Parade – a favorite in the area and widely known as the country’s first Fourth of July parade. Not withstanding, here are a few other happening around town that starting with a BIG SALE:

July 4-7: You’ll find great savings this weekend at numerous stores during the big 4-day 4th of July Weekend Sale at Tanger Five Oaks in Sevierville. Check out Tanger Five Oaks’ latest coupons and sale offers.

July 4-8: Step up to the plate and begin your Independence Day festivities early with Tennessee Smokies Baseball. The Smokies face off against the Huntsville Stars followed by a rousing fireworks display each night.

July 3: See America’s first 4th of July Parade (which begins at 12:01am on July 4) in downtown Gatlinburg.

July 4: The Grand Majestic Theater has invited everyone to a big afternoon cookout during their ALL-AMERICAN DAY! Included is free live entertainment before experiencing a one-of-a-kind show honoring our veterans, servicemen and women. A military ID equals complimentary free admission. “America’s Hit Parade” will be performed along with special guests Michael Keating of “Grand Magic” and “The Stylistics”. Event begins at 1pm. Call (865) 774-7777 for reservations and group rates.

July 4: 23nd Annual Patriot Festival at Patriot Park. Enjoy great entertainment from country band Restless Heart and more, plus a free Kids Karnival. A spectacular fireworks display finishes the evening. The event is free and open to the public.

Parker’s Greatest Knife Show

Parker’s Greatest Knife Show is the biggest antique knife show in the Great Smoky Mountains region in Sevierville, Tn.

Parkers’ Greatest Knife Show is one of the premiere antique knife shows in the country and definitely in the Smoky Mountain region.

From June 13-15, Parkers’ knife show will be at the Sevierville Events Center at Bridgemont. This new, state-of-the-art events center is located right off Highway 66 in Sevierville, TN. You can even see it from the road, just look for the Music Outlet and then pull across the bridge into the events center. This astounding facility only makes the knife show that much better. Countless knife and hunting-related vendors and knives as far as the eye can see. There will be knife collectors from around the region and across the country to trade with, converse, and talk shop with all day.

The knife collecting community is one of the greatest set of hobbyists around. The information obtained over many years from shows to personal research about their collectibles makes any collector you’re sure to run in to a veritable scholar on knife history. Whether you’re searching for pocket knives or fixed blades, WR Case or Boker you’ll find some amazing blades and learn a lot about the history of the particular knife itself. The vendors that will be on hand have been in the knife collecting business since they were children. It’s not uncommon for many to relay stories about getting their first knife handed down to them from a parent or grandparent. There are sure to be a number of one-of-kind pieces or knives that were limited production runs available for purchase as well.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the late Jim Parker, part of the original Parker Knife family, and the work he did to make this such a successful show. Parker’s Greatest Knife show has now been around for 20 years and has grown considerably. In the knife world, the Parker name is held up with the likes of Case. From owning their own knife company to selling and trading the biggest brands in the knife world, this is the show to experience. Even if you are not a knife collector you will enjoy the greatest knife show on earth! If you are in the Pigeon Forge area in June, set aside some time for this special event.

The show begins Thursday, June 13 at Noon and runs till 6 pm. Friday, doors open at 9 am and close at 5 pm. Saturday, things get started at 9 am and go till 2 pm. Admission is $7 per day, or $15 for a 3-day pass. For those of you who want to get a head start on things, you can purchase an early bird pass for $20 which allows for special entry time each day and Free parking at the event.

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.

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.

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.

2013 Sevierville Calendar of Events

January

Sevierville’s Smoky Mountain Winterfest (January 1 – February 28) – See millions of twinkling holiday lights throughout the Great Smoky Mountains area.

Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium (January 1 – 6) – Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium –The Winterfest attraction features hundreds of thousands of synchronized LED lights dancing to music in a drive-through attraction one and a half miles long. This Sevierville Winterfest attraction will last through January 6.

Knoxville RV Super Show (January 11-13) – The Knoxville RV Show will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration (January 23) – Choirs, speakers and more at the First Baptist Church, Sevierville. (865) 428-2212.

February

Rose Glen Literary Festival (February 25) – Lectures and book signings from Sevier County authors and those who have written books about Sevier County during this day-long event held at Walters State Community College. (865) 453-6411.

March

Southeastern Select Alpaca Show (March 2-3) – The Southeastern Select Alpaca Show will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center.

Smoky Mountain Springfest (Mid March-June 7) – Enjoy spring decorations, mountain wildflowers and plenty of great events during Smoky Mountain Springfest.

April

Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Entry Postmark Deadline (April 12) – Sing one of the 3,000 songs written by Sevierville’s hometown girl, Dolly Parton in your own style. Entry deadline is April 12, 2013. Go to www.BloominBBQ.com for complete details!

May

TuTu Glitz’s on Tour (May 11) – TuTu Glitz’s on Tour will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center.

Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival (May 17-18) – The largest event in Sevierville! BLUEGRASS ALBUM BAND REUNION PERFORMANCE Saturday May 18! Tennessee State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off, FREE bluegrass concerts from rising stars and bluegreass legends, kids games, great food and authentic mountain crafts. Admission is FREE. ******* FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR! For more information contact the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce 1-888-889-7415 or visit www.BloominBBQ.com

Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals (May 18) – Vocal competition honoring the songwriting of Sevierville’s hometown girl, Dolly Parton. Finalists sing one of 3,000 songs written by Parton in the style of their choosing (rock, rap, country, pop, ect.) Entry deadline is April 12, 2013. www.BloominBBQ.com

June

Parker’s Greatest Knife Show (June 13-15) – Large-scale collectable knife show at the Sevierville Convention Center. Open to the public call (453) 892-0448 or go to www.bulldogknives.org

House-Hasson Hardware Dealer Market (June 21-22) – House-Hasson Hardware Dealer Market will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center.

Rising Star Talent Competition (June 25-28) – Rising Star Talent Competition will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center.

July

Anime Southeast Convention (July 12-14) – The Anime Southeast Convention will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center, for more information go to www.animesoutheast.com

August

Mickey Gilley in Concert (August 24) – Located at the Country Tonite Theater. Call (865) 453-2003 or visit www.firstclassconcerts.com for more information.

September

Sevier County Fair (September 4-9)

October

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival (October 1-31) – Enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of a Smoky Mountain Harvest. Leaf looking, special events, shows, shopping and attractions make this a great time of year to visit Sevierville.

November

International Gift Exposition in the Smokies (November 5-9) – The International Gift Exposition in the Smokies will be held at the Sevierville Convention Center.

Smoky Mountain Winterfest (November 12-February 28, 2014) – Enjoy millions of twinkling lights throughout the Great Smoky Mountain area.

Winterfest in 3D, Glasses Available (November 12-February 28, 2014) – Winterfest in 3D glasses are available at the Sevierville Visitor Center on Hwy 66 for $1 while supplies last. These glasses help you see Winterfest in a whole new light as every point of light shifts into a snowflake.

Sevierville’s Winterfest Kick Off Music, Lights & Magic (November 12) – Free food, local entertainment, kids’ games and fireworks make this event fun for everyone! The evening wraps up with “flipping the switch” on the area’s first Winterfest lights.

December

Sevierville’s 51st Annual Christmas Parade (December 7) – A traditional hometown parade with baton twirlers, pageant winners, marching bands and floats leading up to the appearance of Santa Claus! Parade begins at 11 am and can best be viewed on Forks of the River Parkway and Court Ave. in historic downtown Sevierville, TN.

Parker’s Greatest Knife Show (December 12-14) – Large-scale collectable knife show at the Sevierville Convention Center. Event open to the public. (423) 892-0448 or go to www.bulldogknives.com

Santa Hustle Half Marathon & 5K (December 15)

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland opens at Smokies Stadium on November 11.

Just in time for the Smoky Mountain holiday season, Shadrack Watersports and RV will bring their Christmas Wonderland to Smokies Stadium in Sevierville, Tennessee during the 2012-13 Winterfest Celebration.

The lighting spectacular, which kicks off November 9 and runs through January 6, is one of America’s largest drive-through, fully computerized LED light shows. Hundreds of thousands of lights are included in this perfectly synchronized show filled with holiday tunes done by the Shadrack crew themselves.

Like at other Shadrack Wonderland sites of the past, this will be a drive-through event nearly one mile in length and running approximately 20 minutes. “Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium presented by Shadrack will be a great addition to Sevierville’s Winterfest Celebration this year,” said Amanda Marr, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director. “There are already millions of people who come to our area during Winterfest but having a new attraction like Christmas Wonderland will give those visitors something new and exciting for this year as well.”

New this year is Santa’s Village with a petting zoo, pony and camel rides, photos with Santa, a Christmas tree lot, and festive refreshments including hot cocoa, apple cider, funnel cakes, Christmas cookies, pizza, and kettle corn.

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium will continue through January 6, 2013. Hours of operation are 6-10 pm daily. Admission is $20 per car (excluding Holidays and Dec. 20-23), $35 per Activity Van / Mini Bus, $75 per tour or school bus. Rates include tax. Proceeds will benefit area charities. For more information, call (423) 652-0120. Located at the Smokies Stadium – 3540 Line Drive – Kodak, TN 37764. www.shadrack.com

Santa Hustle Smokies Half Marathon

Inaugural Santa Hustle Half-Marathon and 5K Run and Walk at Wilderness at the Smokies Hotel & Waterpark Resort in Sevierville, TN. The race will take place on Sunday, December 9 at 8 am.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to compete in a marathon wearing a Santa hat and beard? This year, Adrenaline Sports Management presents the Inaugural Santa Hustle Half-Marathon and 5K Run and Walk at Wilderness at the Smokies Hotel & Waterpark Resort in Sevierville, TN. The race will take place on Sunday, December 9 at 8 am.

This great, winter-themed Half-Marathon and 5K, will provide every participant with a FREE SANTA HAT, BEARD & CUSTOMIZED SHIRT to wear while running either 13.1 or 3.1 miles. Everyone will love the Holiday decorations, the Christmas music, and an After Party offering a buffet of food and plenty to drink.

Customized Long Sleeve Shirt & Goody Bag
All 5K Participants will receive a customized Santa Claus Long Sleeve Shirt & Special Goody Bag. All Half-Marathon Participants will recieve a customized Santa Claus Long Sleeve Dri-Fit Shirt and special Goody Bag.

Event Information

Entry Fees:
Half Marathon – $55.00 ($65.00 on 12/3)
5K – $35.00 ($40.00 on 12/3)

* All registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable Continue reading “Santa Hustle Smokies Half Marathon”

Sevierville Convention Center

Tradeshows, Expositions, Competitive Arts Events and Much More!

When the city of Sevierville decided to build a convention center, they picked the perfect location and they are bringing thousands of visitors to the area each and every year.  This state of the art facility is being used by groups to have tradeshows, conventions, sporting events and much more each year.  Located right off Winfield Dunn Parkway, the Convention Center is easy to get to and keeps you from having to get into the really bad traffic of Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg

As you travel into town, the easiest way to spot the Sevierville Convention Center is to look for the Wilderness in the Smokies on your right, as you head toward Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.  The Wilderness is easy to spot, their indoor water park lights up Hwy 66 in the evening as the sun goes down and even during the day it has become a landmark.  Take a right and head across the bridge over the Little Pigeon River.  You will come to a second stoplight, go through this light and start up the hill, you will see the Convention Center on the right at the top of the hill.

The Convention Center is a full service convention center.  They bring in everything from sporting events and championships to religious conferences to collector events.  Below is a selection of just some of the events that might happen at the Sevierville Convention Center:

  • Anime Southeast Convention
  • Bible Bee Conference
  • Celebrator’s Conference
  • Christian Camp Leaders
  • Fall Corvette Expo
  • Freedom Fest Gymnastics Competition
  • GROSouth Fall Dealer Trade Show
  • House-Hasson Hardware Company
  • International Gift Show in the Smokies
  • Parker’s Knife Collections
  • Smoky Mountain Bible Conference
  • Smoky Mountain Gymnastic Vacation Classic
  • Southern Select Alpaca Show
  • Student Celebration
  • Tennessee Association for Administrators in Special Education
  • TuTu Glitz’s on Tour
  • UCA Smoky Mountain Christmas Championship
  • Wilderness at the Smokies / K2 Volleyball
  • Women of Joy Conference
This is only a small selection of what is going on everyday at the Sevierville Convention Center.  Check out their website to see exactly what they have to offer when you are in town.
If you are looking at bringing an event to the Smokies, let the convention enter help you plan that event.  If you are going to have hundreds of people in town or if you are planning a tradeshow in the Smokies you are going to need the help of a professional.  You are going to need someone to help you get all of your ‘T’s crossed and your ‘I’s dotted.  Rely on the professional staff at the Severiville Convention Center to help you plan your event and make it a huge success.

Sevierville Convention Center
202 Gists Creek Road
Sevierville, TN
865-453-0001
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