Sidney James Mountain Lodge - Gatlinburg News and Lodging Updates

New Years and January 2012

2011-12-20T18:34:00.000-08:00

Who says the winter after Christmas gets dull in the Smokies? There are two very popular events worth posting on in just the first week of January.

First is the New Years Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks in downtown Gatlinburg which promises to be one of the biggest parties for miles and miles around. The streets will be filled with party-goers having a great time in the Smokies, listening to the music being played by Pyro-Shows until the big fireworks display at the Space Needle. When the big tower explodes in a storm of fireworks, you'll know it's time to celebrate the New Year!

Next up from there is the Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge on Music Road from January 7-14. This is an event for serious nature lovers and fans of the Smoky Mountains to come and see what the mountains are all about. There will be plenty of indepth lectures, guest speakers, exhibits, demonstrations, vendors and even guided walks that's perfect for kids and adults. You can see more of that at http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events_winterfest_wilderness.aspx.

And you'll be able to get to both in 15 minutes while staying at Sidney James here in Gatlinburg. Stay tuned for more as Winterfest continues on and we look at new special events coming up!

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade 2011

2011-11-29T20:43:00.000-08:00

Still more Winterfest activity going on? Down in the center of town? That I can get to from Sidney James in just 10-12 minutes walking time without fighting traffic or parking space?

You bet! And this week is the big one - The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on December 2nd (Friday) at 7:30PM! All throughout the main downtown road, from Alamo Steakhouse on Highway 321 to Stoplight #10, our favorite carolers, characters, floats, locals and even the Polar Express itself will be walking, dancing, singing, marching and rolling down the streets for an hour-or-more long Winterfest party!

Our location is ideal for getting to and from the festivities with minimal wear and tear. You and the kids will be back to luxury in no time, and for years ahead you'll talk about how good that night was back when you were young.

Make your reservations today at www.sidneyjames.com.

Winterfest Kick Off!

2011-10-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

Gracious goodness, is it already time to think about Winterfest? You bet it is, and Sidney James is your key to enjoying everything November can offer for you!

First up is the Chili Cook-off and Winterfest Kick-off on November 10th from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. This is a huge party at Ripley's Aquarium just a few minutes walking distance from us (and probably faster than driving and parking) with 30,000 cups of chili (with the purchase of an admission "spoon") from nearly two dozen vendors and restaurants plus loads of great, free fun for the whole family! Music, entertainment for the kids and then the big switch for the start of Winterfest (and the accompanying trolley tours) as the million-dollar lighting displays all go up around the city. Again, you could walk there and back much easier and probably faster than you could to drive and park - convenience is the name of the game at Sidney James!

And that convenience will also come in handy when it gets to be Thanksgiving time and the W.L. Mills auditorium hosts three special events for the Thanksgiving weekend (November 22nd to the 26th for all three events at one time) - the Gatlinburg Festival of Trees, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Holiday Show, and the Nutcracker "Sweet", about 3 days of quality holiday entertainment just 5-6 minutes of walking from Sidney James Mountain Lodge.

Make your reservations today at www.sidneyjames.com because Winterfest reservations, as you might imagine, go pretty quickly in this magical season and we want to share that season's magic with you. Make your reservations today!

October Fun in the Smokies

2011-10-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

October is finally here and we're glad to have it at last! As of writing, we're expecting the full Autumn bloom within the next week or so and there's plenty of great stuff to do while you wait, or in the meantime as the leaves come down on us here in Gatlinburg.

For those of you who want to see the Harvest Festival side of October, Gatlinburg offers you the entire month of great cultural events to partake in. October 6th-23rd is the Annual Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair for the Fall Season (there are about three a year!) and you get to watch all your favorite artists and artisans from the area and areas beyond craft those wares right in front of your eyes. The Craftsmen's Fair is at W.L. Mills Auditorium in downtown Gatlinburg and just a 5-10 minute walk from us here at Sidney James.

There is also the Oktoberfest going on all month up at Ober Gatlinburg with all the German folk dancing, singing, food and entertainment you can handle! The Arts and Crafts Community is also excellent for the artistic side of Gatlinburg, and when you want to see those gorgeous colors all on their own and you can drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (self-guided vehicle tour through the mountains) for some great photo opportunities. Roaring Fork Motor Nature trail is on the road we're on, so you just need to go up the road a little bit to start.

For those who want to come for the Halloween opportunities, Ripley's Haunted Adventure is where you want to go for scares and screams at the month-long Fright Night with its new show, "Backwoods Terror: You Just Made a Wrong Turn.", there is also the Mysterious Mansion (long rumored itself to be genuinely haunted) on River Road for more haunted house fun and Gatlinburg itself is perfect for trick or treating! Again, these are all easy walking from us here at Sidney James.

October is a lot of fun for people of all ages, so come on out for Halloween or the Autumn bloom or any time at all. The Smokies welcomes you!

Harvest Festival 2011

2011-08-29T12:37:00.000-07:00

September is here and Autumn is on its coattails as we get ready to celebrate the Harvest Festival here in the East Tennessee section of the Smoky Mountains. The colors, the cooler temperatures and the atmosphere in general is something you can just drink in as you walk around the city of Gatlinburg between now and November.

There are a lot of great reasons to visit the Smokies during Harvest Festival - and here they are:

Taste of Autumn
Location: Gatlinburg Convention Center
Description: The Taste of Autumn has been Gatlinburg's tastiest charity event for 13 years. A $25 donation will give you access to food from all kinds of vendors with the best food in town at the huge W.L. Mills Auditorium. All proceeds go to the United Way of Sevier County.
Start Date: September 15th
End Date: September 15h
Link Out: http://www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=7

Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament
Location: Gatlinburg Convention Center
Description: This popular event is hosted by Rocky Top Outfitter and is open to children as well as adults, visitors as well as local. Admission prices apply.
Start Date: September 24th
End Date: September 25th
Link Out: www.rockytopoutfitter.com

Oktoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg
Location: Ober Gatlinburg
Description: German food and German fun on top of the world for the Fall Season! Get in early and join in the music, dancing and everything else Ober Gatlinburg has to offer
Start Date: September 30th
End Date: October 30th
Link Out: www.obergatlinburg.com

Ripley's Fright Nights
Location: Ripley's Haunted Adventure
Description: An entire month of screams, frights and thrills to celebrate Halloween in Gatlinburg. Character parades, the living dead, and things you better say your prayers to prepare for.
Start Date: October 1st
End Date: October 31st
Link Out: www.ripleys.com/gatlinburg/

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
Location: W.L. Mills Convention Center
Description: Artists and Crafters local and from hundreds of miles around gather at the Gatlinburg Convention Center where over 120 booths and all kinds of handcrafted items, plus the artists, are on display.
Start Date: October 6th
End Date: October 23rd
Link Out: www.craftsmenfair.com

Trick or Treat Kick off Karnival
Location: Downtown Gatlinburg
Description: From Noon to 3 P.M. Gatlinburg will celebrate Halloween with the Gatlinburg Police Department and Gatlinburg Fire Department working in conjunction to offer a safe, family fun filled trip for everyone!
Start Date: October 31st
End Date: October 31st
Link Out: www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=54

Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff
Location: Downtown Gatlinburg
Description: Offering mouth-watering recipes of homemade chili ranging from mild and delightful to wild and adventurous, the City of Gatlinburg celebrates the start of Winter with an awesome Chili Cookoff! Bring admission and a lot of napkins.
Start Date: November 9th
End Date: November 9th
Link Out: www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=11

Trolley Ride of Lights
Location: Downtown Gatlinburg
Description: Visitors can soak up the spirit of the season from the comfort of a Gatlinburg Trolley by taking the relaxing Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights. These are popular guided excursions that are sure to become a tradition.
Start Date: November 9th
End Date: January 30th
Link Out: www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=13
Mark your calendars and build your itineraries because it's going to be an awesome Autumn for the Smoky Mountains!

Plan a Trip to Cherokee, North Carolina

2011-08-20T20:13:00.001-07:00

Have you been across the National Park to Cherokee, NC? Cherokee is a sort of bookend to Gatlinburg and well worth a day trip visit out.

Cherokee is located on the other side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Spur, on the same highway that the Sugarlands Visitor Center is on. From there, it is an hour's drive through the National Park, across THE most gorgeous scenery in the Tennessee Smokies (and over a dozen stopping-parking spots to take pictures, several hiking trails and plenty of picnicking opportunities), from the tops of the hills and then down again at the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center, which is your sign that you're 3-5 minutes away from Cherokee.

Once inside, you can go straight, take a turn left, or stop at the Arcade/Fun Center right at the gates into the town if the kids are getting antsy or you need a good place to stretch your legs a bit. Going left will take you to some hotels, some restaurants and some shopping alongside another arcade and fun center. Going straight will take you straight into the heart of the town. Cherokee is fairly small (about the size of Gatlinburg) and it's pretty hard to get lost.

From there are plenty of things to do from the aforementioned Arcades/Fun Centers to more cultural items of interest, like the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center, which offers a walking trail, historical architecture, and some exhibits on Appalachian culture from the old days, the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, which is, appropriately, the authority on Cherokee history and information with hundred of exhibits and excellent video presentations throughout the tour, the Oconaluftee Indian Village, which is a working Cherokee Indian Village meant to show you what life back in 1760 was like for the Cherokee Indians, and Unto These Hills, a dramatic production high in the hills showcasing the story of Tsali and more history plus incredible musical numbers.

Cherokee also features an island park where kids can wade in the Oconaluftee river or a canal in the center of the park plus a large, unique bamboo grove full of photo opportunities. If you have kids who like to skate, take them to the free skate park. If all else fails, Harrah's Cherokee Casino is a huge facility with entertainment like you can't get for miles and miles around.

Cherokee, NC is a little town with a lot to offer, so if you're looking for something different and you want to see a lot of gorgeous Smoky Mountain scenery on the way there, plan a day trip out and you won't be disappointed.

To get to Cherokee from Gatlinburg, take the Gatlinburg Bypass from the Spur (just 2 minutes before you reach the city from Pigeon Forge) and keep on straight for roughly an hour.

All pictures are copyright Ge'ne L. K. Lawhead

July Craftsmen's Fair

2011-07-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

For those who may have been to the Craftsmen's Fair for a while, the one in July, and likely more to come, would have surprised you. You would've arrived to find so many booths (more than 160 as listed by the Craftsmen's information sheet) that many of them had to spread out into the hallways and even outside the W.L. Mills Convention Center in downtown Gatlinburg.

With 160+ booths and artists both local and from Virginia, Ohio, Georgia and way beyond, there was, of course, a wide berth of arts and crafts from candles, baskets, wood works, rock works, paintings, clothes and music to Christmas trees, sports-based fan pulls, old fashioned rifles, shields, interesting lights, and much more than any human being could hope to absorb in a few hours. Crafts marketplace and auctions recommended.

If you're coming to the Autumn Craftsmen's Fair and you just can't get enough of hand-made arts the likes of which you've seen and haven't seen before, the $6.00 admission fee is well worth it. Unfortunately, we were not able to get pictures, but we can guarantee you you've probably never seen a convention center this packed with amazing arts and crafts from nearly the entire Eastern half of the country.

Craftsmens' Fair and More for July

2011-07-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

While it's true there aren't any holiday festivals or special events coming up for a while after the 4th of July, it doesn't mean there isn't anything to do in Gatlinburg - very far from it!

We consistently recommend The Ripley's Aquarium, Ober Gatlinburg, the Arts and Crafts Community, Dollywood and Dolly's Splash Country for major entertainment in the Smokies. Those five items alone can account for a week or more of fun for the whole family, no matter the age. Dozens more on a smaller scale exist throughout downtown Gatlinburg, and don't forget the Titanic Museum and Wonderworks! And the hiking, and horseback riding. All and all, it could take you half a year or more to actually do everything there is to do here if you were doing attractions one-by-one, every single day. There is no real "lull" period in the summer here in the Smokies, there's always something fun to go do!

Actually, there is a special event to tell you about, July 15th to the 23rd is the Summer Gatlinburg Craftsmens' Fair at W.L. Mills auditorium which is a large showcase of local artists and artisans putting their Smoky Mountain heritage to art and showing them off. Crafts marketplace and auctions recommended. You can get to this event very easily from all our properties here in Gatlinburg by car, trolley or even walking.

Anytime can be a great time in the Smokies, special events or not! Make your reservations today and let us know how we can make those Smoky Mountain memories you came here for.

Summertime Fun in the Smokies!

2011-06-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

Everyone looks forward to June for a vacation and the Smokies are one of the best places in the country to visit. Now that you're here, what can you take the kids to do?

Sidney James is within walking distance to several great places for the family, including Ober Gatlinburg, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, Ripley's Aquarium and much more!

Dollywood's Kidfest
June 17-August 7

And speaking of kids, Dollywood is returning Kidsfest for the main section of summer filled with great activities for young kids including performances, roaming characters and of course the rides!

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales
June 17-August 13

Gatlinburg's summer-wide event sees street performers, storytellers and even some dancers at various points throughout the main downtown section of the city. Great for a night out on the town!

New Restaurants in Gatlinburg!
There are a bunch of new openings that have people talking - Gatlinburg is now home to the Mellow Mushroom, Dick's Last Resort, and soon to come, The Melting Pot - each offering something genuinely unique to the restaurant scene in Gatlinburg.

Bringing Kids to the Park?
There are all kinds of opportunities for the young ones to enjoy themselves in the National Park; hiking and Sugarlands Visitors Center but there are Ranger-guided Programs as well and you can see them at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/events.htm.

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales 2011!

2011-05-24T19:06:00.001-07:00

Its hard to say we look forward to one season over the other here in the mountains, but summer has a special place in our hearts as with Springfest, Harvest Festival and the holidays as we enjoy the plethora of opportunities, natural and man-made, the Smokies gives us for a short or extended summer vacation!

Downtown Gatlinburg just by itself is a weekend's worth of entertainment within just 10 minutes of walking through the downtown area. Ripley's Aquarium is a must-see as well as Ober Gatlinburg, the city's mountain-high family fun park. There's also the Guinness World of Records Museum, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, and about 2 dozen or more mini-golf and arcades for the kids to enjoy.

For those of you older who want to see something in the city of Gatlinburg can enjoy the 6th Annual Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales going on from June 17th to August 13 for the 2011 season. The dusk walk through the main downtown area now boasts streetside performers of music, storytelling and the dancing varieties! Definitely gives good reason to take a stroll before calling it a night.

And convenience to downtown is just one of many reasons to stay at Sidney James! Bring the kids for our pools, poolside cafe, and proximity to Mynatt Park. And if you want to hit Pigeon Forge, just take our trolley stop to the trolley hub and connect from there! A whole summer of fun awaits you at Sidney James!

Ribsfest 2011

2011-05-05T22:34:00.001-07:00

Ribsfest 2011 was another smash hit with hundreds at least in attendance! Although the venue moved back to Ripley's Aquarium (and this writer was unaware of that until arrival), it didn't deter people from having a great night surrounded by great entertainment and mountains of great food.

Here are a bunch of pictures that show all the action in play - we even somehow spotted Santa Clause reveling with the crowd and enjoying the event. Take a look at what you'll likely get to see late April next year!

Photos courtesy of Ge'ne L.K. Lawhead. All rights reserved.

Gatlinburg Screenfest 2011

2011-03-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

The first major Gatlinburg event of Spring is the upcoming 3rd Annual Gatlinburg Screenfest. A Screenfest for Springfest! Gatlinburg has world-wide recognition as a center for the arts here in this section of the Smokies, and the Screenfest adds a whole new level to that truth.

The 3rd annual Gatlinburg Screenfest which features nearly 2 dozen short films by independent directors and talent in the areas. Horror, drama, documentary style and more will all be featured. Its a great way to experience an offbeat side of Gatlinburg that isn't seen very often and for that reason should not be missed.
Visit http://gatlinburgscreenfest.com/films/ for all the information you need on this event.

Sidney James Mountain Lodge and all of our other properties in Gatlinburg offer great access to events in Gatlinburg such as this and plenty of luxury to come back too after a great day or night out. See www.sidneyjames.com for everything we can offer your Smoky Mountain vacation.

Valentine's Day - Just Around the Corner

2011-01-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

Yes, that special time of year for love birds is back on February 14th, 2011. Valentine's Day has a habit of sneaking up on us, so make your reservations for Sidney James and make them early - Gatlinburg is a highly magical and romantic place for visitors of the Great Smoky Mountains and it tends to fill up for reasons and seasons just like this.

And don't forget to take advantage of our new special listed below. We hope to see you and your loved one this Valentine's Day!

Ober Gatlinburg - Open for Winter Sports!

2010-12-15T21:15:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you know what Ober Gatlinburg is open for Winter Sports!

Ober Gatlinburg has long served the community during a slower winter season by being the only place for miles and miles to offer Winter Sports like skiing, snow boarding, snow tubing and ice skating, from now through the Winter Season.

The Aerial Tramway to Ober Gatlinburg is within walking distance or a very short drive from Sidney James. Our Lodge in downtown Gatlinburg will be the perfect spot to come back to after days of heavy snow sports. We have an indoor pool and sauna and many other ways to keep you warm until your next excursion out on the slopes.

Make your reservations to Sidney James and find out what they are!

2010-12-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Parade!

The fun starts at 7:30 PM, December 3rd on the main strip of downtown Gatlinburg, from the Alamo Steakhouse to Stoplight #10 at the gates to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All your favorite characters throughout the Christmas ages and dozens of floats will be in attendance and its guaranteed to be the most fun that evening for miles and miles around.

Don't miss it!

The Harvest Festival in Gatlinburg

2010-10-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

Is there ever a bad time to come to the Smokies? No sir, but it is true some times are even better to come and stay then others.

October is one of those periods. Right now Ober Gatlinburg is celebrating Oktoberfest on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October plus the Ripley's Haunted Adventure is doing a show called "15 Nights of Halloween" which is sure to become a Halloween screamfest. The colors are here now and blooming as far as the eye can see and Sidney James puts you in a unique spot where you can get to all it with half the effort.

From Sidney James you can walk to the downtown area in 10 minutes (or a much quicker drive) or you can take advantage of our trolley stop to hit the Arts and Crafts Community, a must-stop for the autumn season, and come back for only bus fare. Come back for our indoor pool, exercise room, indoor sauna and poolside cafe where energy and relaxation go hand in hand.

And that's still not all! Sidney James is offering you location and onsite conveniences most other places do not have at a discount! Stay Three of More Nights Sunday through Thursday and get 25% off! Here's the coupon right here:

Make your stay anytime of the year wonderful with Sidney James in the Great Smoky Mountains part of Gatlinburg!

2010-08-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

August through September Specials! Stay two nights, Sunday through Thursday and you'll receive a third night FREE! This offer's time is limited so be sure and reserve now! If you are planning on staying in the Smokies after September we have Fall specials up at

http://www.sidneyjames.com/rates.html or if you would just like some more information about us please feel free to check out our main site here: http://www.sidneyjames.com/index.html

2010-07-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a guided tour of our facilities for your convenience. Should you want to check out more feel free to stop by our site here!

2010-06-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

More information at http://www.sidneyjames.com/rates.html

Facebook | Sidney James Mountain Lodge

2010-06-02T17:12:00.000-07:00

Facebook | Sidney James Mountain Lodge: "RemoveSidney James Mountain Lodge The Mountain Hounds are back. These are Rescued Greyhounds and their Owners who come every year to fellowship and celebrate and to learn more about there breed of K-9's. They take over near by Mynett Park for their weekend long activities. Beautyfuly Majestic animals. Bring your friends and familys by yo see and visit.... They will be in Gatlinburg till Sunday the 6th. You may see them around gatlinbyrg as well."

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales!

2010-05-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

June 11th marks the 5th annual Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales™ right here in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Performers and musicians will be spread thoughout the main strip in Gatlinburg playing old timey mountain music, spinnin' yarns, or re-enacting time periods of the region from all the way from the 1800's.

"The goal of Gatlinburg's Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales™ is to bring evenings of entertainment surprises to the traditional summertime Parkway stroll experience in Gatlinburg," says George Hawkins, Manager of Gatlinburg's Office of Special Events. "At 5:30 p.m. each night, a horse-drawn wagon will carry the performers to their designated locations for the evening. The rotating cast of acts including storytellers, musicians and crafters will share their stories and skills during the 2-day MountainFest™ event."

Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales™ Starts on June 11th and goes all the way through August 7th. Details and more info can be found here.

25 Years of Dollywood

2010-03-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

As soon as the gates open on March 27th, 2010, the flood begins. Thousands and thousands of eager guests who have been waiting for the perennial Festival of the Nations since as early as last year, quickly fill the park to see all the many new additions and familiar traditions Dollywood brings year after year.

This year, Festival of the Nations features "DRUM!" culminating Aboriginal, Black, Celtic and Acadian cultures into an exhilirating performance of music and dance and more. "Invaders" is an island-steel ensemble performing the sound of Trinidad. Atahualpa returns for another great year of South American music and Imagine returns too after a popular, grand performance from last year's Festival of the Nations.

Another thing to look forward to is the advent of Adventure Mountain for 2010. It's a new section of park designed as an outdoor obstacle course and even those who don't like to play outside will have a hard time staying away!

Finally, 2010 makes it the 25th year Dollywood has been entertaining families here in the Smokies. 25 years hasn't gone by unnoticed and we hope for Dollywood to stay open another 25 years at least! Stay tuned to see what Dollywood might be thinking for celebrating its 25th year in business!

2010-01-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

Check out www.gatlinburg-coupons.com for more discounts and coupons

Thanksgiving Weekend at W.L. Mills Auditorium

2009-12-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

It was a good show at the W.L. Mills Auditorium the weekend after Thanksgiving.

The Festival of Trees provided family time and Christmas anticipation for the early risers and the afternoon. A large, grand room was reserved for the man-made winter wonderland and dozens of trees illuminated the otherwise unlit room. Lots of colors; even more lights could be seen. Each tree had its own specialized design representing those who volunteered to build it (100% of all effort was donated). Some, such as the one donated by Our Savior Lutheran Church, had a very classical design, while others, such as one donated by Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, took on more creative and unique designs. Smaller children took very well to the Letters for Santa corner and whole families took even better to the Christmas Gift Box costumes that certainly provided unexpected smiles form the entire group. All and all a very good success for Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries.

Downstairs was the annual holiday Arts and Crafts Show. You could see plenty of artworks lining the long halls as you arrived to the main room. Inside the main room was like having all of the Arts and Crafts community gathered together in easy walking distance. Music, locally performed, played from every corner while snacks and drinks were sold from the back of the room. Craft seekers did not leave disappointed, as artwork, woodwork, needlework, jewelry, clothing and much more filled the aisles, and everything was decorated for Christmas.

We look forward to the festivities for next year! Happy Holidays everyone!

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair

2009-09-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

In no more than 2 weeks, The Gatlinburg Crafts Fair for fall will open the doors of the W.L. Mills auditorium and fully satisfy fans of the Appalachian wood-worker, artists and artisans' trades between October the 8th and the 25th. Good-sized crowds are known to pour into the convention center to get a more-than-good look at the incredible and incredibly skilled individuals who decor our houses and delight that little corner of our hearts that yearns for the simpler ages in American history.

Such is the appeal of the Craftsmen's Fair - so much so that its a bi-annual affair for Summer and Fall. A special event so popular is has to be done twice a year?

Such is the appeal of the Craftsmen's Fair. Many, many artists and crafters will be attending and working right in front of your eyes. Even if you don't like huge crowded areas, this is still something to attend, as the Conference Center is huge (it has to be to sponsor something this big) and you won't be hearing much noise over the sounds of gentle acoustic picking and performances by Keith Longbotham and Dennis Lee. Crafts marketplace and auctions recommended.

And what do you, guests at Sidney James, have to gain from this? Well, you likely passed the Convention Center on your way up the road. Again, the location of Sidney James, at a point where you can conceivably get to just about anywhere in Gatlinburg in roughly the same amount of time, saves you from crawling around narrow mountain roads, traffic, getting lost, etc. The Conference Center is just down the street right before you hit downtown Gatlinburg.

And after walking around for some hours in the large Conference Center, its only about 10 more minutes back uphill (great exercise, by the way) before you can retire properly, in your bedroom, at the cafe downstairs, at the indoor pool, or wherever you feel most comfortable onsite.

Some reasons to stay at Sidney James are seasonal, but most are year-round, don't forget that as you plan your vacation here in the Smoky Mountains!

2009-09-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Labor Day, the day of non-labor, is as coveted a prize as the crown jewels in North America, so it behooves you to take extra advantage of it during your vacation in the Smoky Mountains.

Sidney James in Gatlinburg is offering 25% off your stay at their Motor Lodge through Labor Day Weekend. That's more money for you to enjoy downtown, which from the Motor Lodge is either a 2-minute drive, a 10-minute walk, or a Trolley drive of which the Lodge is a stop.

Course you could just save your money and enjoy the simple pleasures of a city park, which is literally behind the Lodge, or you could just enjoy the plentivity of what Sidney James offers, at the same quality, for 25% percent off.

Its a common practice for hotels and accomodations to raise prices on the days they expect you to pay the most (and that sentence works both ways). Sidney James is actually reducing its price on one of the busiest weekends of the year. Why would you ever want to pay more when you could, in theory, pay LESS for the same quality Sidney James has offered for many, many years.

http://www.sidneyjames.com/

2009-09-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

The coupon says it all. Spend two nights at Green Valley Motel, owned and operated by Sidney James management, and get the third night free until October 1, 2009. If you're spending a weekend in Pigeon Forge, its literally taking 33% off your lodging bill.

Sidney James has owned The Green Valley Motel in Pigeon Forge for a while now and has and continues to work hard to give it the same quality management you find at the Motor Lodge in Gatlinburg. The Green Valley Motel sits on the end of Pigeon Forge that teeters on National Park territory. It is 5 minutes away from Dixie Stampede, 8 minutes to Dollywood and Splash Country.

Additionally,

• 50 Spacious Rooms
• King, Queen, and Double Rooms
• Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool
• Kiddie Pool
• Jacuzzi Rooms & Suites Available
• Kids Under Age 12 Stay FREE
• Meeting Rooms Available
• Located near Pigeon Forge Trolley Stop

And a golf course? Yes, roughly 6-7 minutes away is the Gatlinburg Golf Course (In Pigeon Forge. Yes, we know) and a multitude of restaurants on the other side of the street.

Green Valley Motel doesn't pretend to be anything other than a clean, efficient and decent place to sleep, and you can bet you aren't paying for more than that. With this coupon, you're saving even more. 33% percent even further off, and what does that buy you?

• 50 Spacious Rooms
• King, Queen, and Double Rooms
• Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool
• Kiddie Pool
• Jacuzzi Rooms & Suites Available
• Kids Under Age 12 Stay FREE
• Meeting Rooms Available
• Located near Pigeon Forge Trolley Stop

Come stay at the Green Valley Motel in Pigeon Forge.

Fourth of July in Gatlinburg

2009-06-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

For 34 years and counting, Gatlinburg Tennessee has been one of the first cities in all the country to celebrate Independence Day. You can't get much earlier officially than Midnight, 5 minutes after 11:55 PM, July 3rd, and you can't celebrate it better without a parade.

More than 100,000 people gather between Stoplights #3 and #10 to watch. All the way up and down the parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, the streets will close and fill with endless floats from local businesses and on the special occasion of the Park's 75th anniversary, the city of Gatlinburg will recreate President Roosevelt's motorcade as part of the the parade. The event lasts more than an hour and you will enjoy every minute of it.

Then its off to bed with you. You'll need to rest to enjoy the activities of the coming day, and Sidney James is just a short walk up the road, away from all the vehicular traffic and into a soft, comfortable bed.

At noon, the popular River Raft Regatta takes place along River Road behind the Mountain Mall (at the Aquarium). Registration begins at 10 a.m. and at promptly noon, all kinds of floating objects race towards the Aquarium. This is a free event sponsored by the Gatlinburg Parks and Recreations department.

Your day is free from there, and between the River Raft Regatta and the big show at night, you have a lot of time on your hands. Its going to be hot, so take advantage of Sidney James' THREE pools, on site Ice Cream at the Cafe, and fun in the sun. If the kids are itching for play time, you've got an expansive city park within a short walking distance.

And then at sunset, the show begins. "Stand Here" is Gatlinburg's suggestion for enjoying the fireworks, meaning between Light #3 and the Sky Lift, you'll be able to witness a 20-minute display of lights and pyrotechs 500 feet overhead. It caps off a perfect evening to an eventfully rich day of Independence.

All courtesy of Sidney James.

The Mountain Hounds return to Sidney James

2009-06-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

"Welcome Mountain Hounds!" says the Sidney James Motor Lodge. Again, this spring, May 28-30, we host the Greyhound Friends of North Carolina and their Mountain Hound event. Registration began Thursday at the conference room of the Sidney James Motor Lodge; crafts and relaxation for the dogs is the order of the day. Thursday evening the group dined together at a local favorite in downtown Gatlinburg, Lineberger's Seafood restaurant.

Friday morning the activities begin with games, craft opportunites, lunch and group photo opportunities. This is a great morning for the dogs and the owners as they experience the Smoky Mountains at Mynatt Park which is located directly next to Sidney James Mountain Lodge and is bordering the National Park. Lunch was provided by Gatlinburg Farms of Gatlinburg and everyone was enjoying it. Friday afternoon folks will return to the Sidney James conference room for informative seminars on such topics as "Communicating With Our Animals", "Second Chance Greyhounds" and more. Friday evening, the Blessing of the Hounds will be conducted by Rev. Susan Downs and is a very special evening for all.

Saturday, May 30th, the games and fun begin at Mynatt Park and continue throughout the day. Although Sidney James is not a pet friendly hotel, many special preparations are taken to provide provisions for the opportunity to host this group. We welcome them back year after year!

59th Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage

2008-12-30T22:19:00.000-08:00

Just to give you an idea of how incredibly popular and important this event is to Sevier County, take into consideration this event is nearly 60 years old. This event is older than most of the people who attend, yet is fun and accessible for all ages and levels of botanical interest.

If you're looking for the one thing to do to really get into the Great Smoky Mountains, THIS IS IT. This is the main event. The Wildflower Pilgrimage offers over 150 things to do across 4 days. Lectures, walks, hiking tours, guests and demonstrations showcase the incredible depth of natural life here in the Smoky Mountains. There will be photography workshops, herb lore classes and something called an "armchair" tour of Cades Cove. You can expect to find many of these classes at the W.L. Mills Conference Center on Airport Road in downtown Gatlinburg. And don't forget the art show!

The Art Show?

You heard me. The 2009 Spring Wildflower art competition will highlight many images and interpretations of the Appalachian flora and fauna. With a strong artistic community foundating Gatlinburg, you could almost see it coming.

All of the above and more are sponsored by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the City of Gatlinburg, The University of Tennessee, Friends of the Smokies, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society and the Gatlinburg Garden Club...

...so yeah, it's really a big deal.

2008-12-29T17:37:00.000-08:00

Saddle Up!
Revisit those old cowboy dreams during Saddle Up! in Pigeon Forge.

In addition to concert performances, where you'll hear the best in western music and cowboy poetry, Saddle Up! also features a Cowboy Symphony, the Old Mill Chuckwagon Cook-Off, a western swing dance and Cowboy Church.

Appearing at Saddle Up! 2009 are musicians Wylie and The Wild West, the Quebe Sisters Band, Andy Wilkinson, Juni Fisher and Andy Hedges, along with cowboy poets/storytellers Paul Zarzyski, Kent Rollins and Jim Hawkins.

The Cowboy Symphony includes a 45-piece orchestra performing with Wylie & the Wild West, who also will lend their talents to the Saturday Night dance.

Chuckwagons from throughout the Southeast and beyond will compete for prizes in the second annual cook-off, sponsored by the Old Mill.

Other Saddle Up! activities include the Slice of Pure Country Celebrity Breakfast and Sunday's Chuckwagon Lunch which follows Cowboy Church at Stages West.

The 9th Annual Saddle Up! is Feb. 19-22, 2009. Learn more at mypigeonforge.com/saddleup

Appalachia Fest in Pigeon Forge

2008-12-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

The musical component of Wilderness Wildlife Week, AppalachiaFest is an evening of traditional mountain music. Three outstanding musicians will headline the 2009 event: Tim O'Brien, Dirk Powell, and Riley Baugus.O'Brien is a Grammy award winner and all three played parts on the "Cold Mountain" movie soundtrack.

Rounding out the AppalachiaFest lineup is Boogertown Gap, a duo that performs old-time mountain, folk and Celtic Music.

Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 17 and younger. Tickets are available at 1-800-792-4308. The event is co-sponsored by WDVX radio in Knoxville, TN.

The 3rd Annual AppalachiaFest is Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at Country Tonite Theatre. Learn more at mypigeonforge.com/music.