Sevierville information – Page 2

Fuel Cost in Sevierville

When planning a trip to Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are a lot of things to consider. Where are you going to stay? What do you need to pack? And especially, how much is it going to cost to get there?

Over the past 5-6 years gas prices have been all over the map and it’s no different in Sevierville, TN. Currently, gas prices for regular unleaded are just over $3.00 a gallon. Within the past year they’ve fluctuated from just over $2 to near $4 a gallon. And prices seem to go higher the closer it gets to peak travel/vacation season.

A recent sampling of area service stations indicated that there were 14 regular gas price reports in the past 5 days in Sevierville, TN. The average regular gas price in Sevierville, TN was $3.25, which is $0.21 lower than U.S. national average Regular gas price $3.46. The lowest regular gas price was reportedly $3.18 at CITGO, 2060 Pittman Center Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876. Meanwhile, the highest regular gas price was $3.30 at Exxon, 2720 Newport Hwy, Sevierville, TN 37876.

Either way, getting to Sevierville costs less than you may think. The AAA Fuel Cost Calculator is a great tool you can use to estimate the fuel cost of your trip to the Smokies. The calculator combines regional gasoline averages along with your vehicle’s make, year and model to provide the best possible estimate.

Regional Gas Prices

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.

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.

City of Sevierville

Situated at the footsteps of the Great Smoky Mountains, Sevierville is a thriving East Tennessee city and the county seat of Sevier County. Its downtown county courthouse can be seen as you drive south into town along Winfield Dunn Parkway or east coming into town via Chapman Highway.

Sevierville itself is named after John Sevier, a frontiersman and politician who served under George Washington during the American Revolution. Sevier was also Tennessee’s first governor and served terms from 1796 to 1801 and again from 1803-09. He was also a state senator from 1809-11 and a member of the United States House of Representatives in 1811.

Today, Sevierville, along with Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, make up a tourism triangle in the Smokies that is unlike any in the South. Sevierville and its neighbors can point a great deal of its success to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its 10 million or so yearly visitors that are lured in by the promise of the park’s majestic beauty.

The city of Sevierville is headed up by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, which meet the first first and third Mondays of each month at the Sevierville Civic Center. Current members of the Sevierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen include Sevierville Mayor Bryan C. Atchley, Vice-Mayor Devin Koester, Alderman Wayne Helton, Alderman Dale Carr, Alderwoman Maxine Ownby, and Alderman Travis McCroskey.

Town boards and committees are appointed by the BMA and include the Beer Board, Board of Adjustments & Appeals, Board of Public Utilities (Power Board), Board of Zoning Appeals, Citizen Advisory, Committee/HRO, Golf Course Advisory Committee, Industrial Development Board, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee, Public Building Authority, Sevierville Housing Authority, Sevierville Convention Center, Sevierville Regional Planning Commission, Transportation Board, and the Trees/Trails & Beautification Board.

The town administration is headed up by City Manager Russell Treadway who oversees all city departments and implements policy set by the BMA. He also directly oversees the human resource and risk management offices.

The city of Sevierville Police Department is guided by Chief Don Meyers. Chief Meyers and the department show a roster of 58 full-time officers, 15 support staff and 12 reserve officers. They provides 24-hour police protection to all areas of the city.

Sevierville City Hall
120 Gary Wade Blvd.
Sevierville, TN 37862
Phone: 865.453.5504
Fax: 865.453.5518

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland Closes Sunday

You’ve got exactly one weekend to take in the best, and last, of Sevierville’s Christmas with Shadrack’s Annual Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium in Kodak. After Sunday, that’s it until November. The lights come down and on to baseball season.

If you haven’t been this year, you’re in for a treat. Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland in Sevierville is packed with even more lights, and it’s all set to some of your favorite holiday tunes.

If you’re staring at a calendar, you have until January 6 to get over to the stadium in Kodak, just across the main road from Bass Pro Shops and right behind Cracker Barrel and McDonalds.

Officials with Shadrack’s have been impressed with the large turnout this year, aided by a whole new section lighting. In all, it’s been a record turnout so far and officials are already looking forward to next Christmas’ show. It promises to be even bigger and better, with few more wrinkles and additions.

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Park is located outside Smokies Stadium at Exit 407 off I-40. Besides the light show, there is an area set up for concessions as well as a petting zoo, animal rides, as well as other carnival-type rides with a holiday theme. All of these attractions do cost money in addition to the entrance fee for each car going through Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland.

Admission to Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium is $20 per car and family van.

Sevierville Lawyers

Whether you’ve been injured in an accident, seeking legal representation in a suit, or whatever the case, there is no shortage of lawyers who practice and have offices located in Sevierville. From accident and injury lawyers to family to general council and business law, there is someone well-versed in the law of the land that will represent you.

A number of law offices can be found in the immediate downtown Sevierville area near the Sevier County Courthouse. Just a quick walk around any block downtown and you’re sure to walk past a couple handfuls of law offices.

Lawyers practicing in Sevierville and Sevier County, TN:

Scott D. Hall
Business Organization, Products Liability, Medical Malpractice, Eminent Domain, Collection
105 Bruce Street,
Sevierville, TN 37862

Charlie R. Johnson
Corporate, Business Organization, Commercial Leasing, Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums
150 Court Ave.,
Sevierville, TN 37862

Jeffrey R. Murrell
Banking & Finance, Corporate, Business Organization, Employment Discrimination, Employment
150 Court Ave.,
Sevierville, TN 37862

Travis J. Ledgerwood
Social Security — Disability, Family Law, Government Agencies, Antitrust, Constitutional Law
121 Court Avenue,
Sevierville, TN 37862, Free Consultation

Joseph Andrew Baker
Social Security — Disability, Family Law, Government Agencies, Antitrust, Constitutional Law
121 Court Avenue,
Sevierville, TN 37862, Free Consultation Continue reading “Sevierville Lawyers”

Salvation Army makes a big difference in Sevierville’s Christmas season.

With all the symbolism that comes with the Christmas season, it can be argued that few carry as much weight and touch as many people as the Salvation Army. That’s especially true in Sevierville and has been for years.

Fill the Truck for Local Kids is a nation-wide program, but all clothing and toys gathered at the Sevierville Walmart will go to Sevier County children.

“The important thing is the toys stay in Sevier County,” said officials with the local chapter of the Salvation Army.

Along with Fill the Truck, The Salvation Army is currently accepting donations with its annual Red Kettle Campaign, where volunteers ring bells outside 18 area stores to encourage shoppers to drop donations into their red kettles.

The campaign, which began around Thanksgiving and will end Christmas Eve, is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and has been since it was created 122 years ago.

Another holiday program The Salvation Army sponsors is the Angel Tree Program, where the organization identifies families in need and sets them up with sponsors to provide gifts, primarily clothes, for the angel of the family — a child of 12 years or younger.

Fill the Truck is designed to supplement the Angel Tree Program. The wish is to provide sponsors for 750 angels this year.

“We would love for people to sponsor angels, and if they have two hours to spare, give us a call to ring some bells,” said officials. “Again, the money stays in the county.”

Holiday Weekend Great for Sevierville

To say that Thanksgiving weekend is a cash cow for Smoky Mountain towns like Sevierville would be putting it very lightly. This past long weekend, which included Thanksgiving and the quasi-holiday of Black Friday saw long lines, long waits, and even longer receipts in stores and restaurants.

Area cabin rentals and hotels had been sold out for weeks – an encouraging sign in these economic times, all that was left was for people to return to their buying habits of years past. And oh did they. Restaurants like the new Joe’s Crab Shack at Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Mall, Red Lobster, and the Applewood Farmhouse reported waits over the weekend as long as an hour and many local eateries even stayed open to serve Thanksgiving dinner. Thousands people came through Sevierville restaurants over the weekend be it locals and visitors alike.

It helped that it was a holiday weekend, but with all the Christmas events and shopping opportunities, the Smokies are just coming into their busy season. Most, being it cabin rental companies, hotels, or just retail stores, mark Thanksgiving as the start of the busy shopping/traveling season in the Smoky Mountains.

Even officials with the University of Tennessee in nearby Knoxville have gotten in on the act, predicting a strong year economically for the area as compared to 2011.

Sevier County, considered the engine that powers the East Tennessee tourism machine, saw an 8.4 percent increase in hotel room sales from January to September 2012 compared to the same nine month period last year. This from UT officials. After this weekend, it’s likely that the trend will continue through the end of the year. A great way to start the busy holiday season in the Smokies and an even better way to end it.

Easiest Way to get to Sevierville

Find out the best way to get to downtown Sevierville and the Smoky Mountains.

With so many attractions now opening in Sevierville like the Wilderness Waterpark, various zipline adventures and the like, it’s no wonder people are starting to ask how to get to Sevierville, rather than Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. That’s not to say people still don’t ask how to get to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, but it’s not uncommon to hear just as many people ask for directions to Sevierville.

Most visitors coming into Sevierville come one of three main ways – the first, Interstate 40, being the most used, easiest, and most well known. Coming from Knoxville east, or from Asheville, NC, west, travel along Interstate 40 until you reach exit 407 – Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Taking that exit, you’ll then travel south along Winfield Dunn Parkway (Hwy. 66) until you reach downtown Sevierville.

The next two routes are used pretty often but not nearly by vacationers coming to Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains. From downtown Knoxville, you’ll travel southeast along U.S. 441 – Chapman Highway through Seymour, Tn until it becomes U.S. 411 and you reach downtown Sevierville. This route eventually turns the driver all the way eastbound as it approaches Sevierville.

Traveling north through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Interstate 40 from North Carolina to Tennessee you’ll eventually reach Newport, TN. Take exit 423A to U.S. 411/Hwy 35 traveling west on the Newport Highway. This will eventually turn into the Dolly Parton Parkway once you reach Sevierville.

*Fun fact: Sevierville is located within a day’s drive of over half the United State’s population.

Hwy. 66 Construction – Highway 66 is currently undergoing construction to add additional lanes in order to improve traffic flow into the area. To lessen congestion due to construction, the main parts of the construction are taking place in the evening and overnight hours. Two lanes are also being kept open at all times. Traffic is less congested during the week, so arriving and departing on weekdays will lessen your chances of waiting through construction.

Additional information on Hwy 66 construction can be obtained by calling the Sevierville Visitor Center at 1-888-738-4378. More information about the Hwy 66 Improvement Project can be found at www.improving66.com. Follow the project on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Improving66.

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