Smoky Mountains RV Campgrounds Newsletter June 2008 (Issue #2008 - 04) It's just a short time until vacation season starts. Memorial Day is just around the corner. Most of the campgrounds have informed us that they are getting pretty booked up. Don't wait until the last minute to book your vacation. Everything is green and open for business. We need to inform you that I40 going thru Knoxville has been closed for about 14 months for road construction. You will need to use the I640 bypass if your travels have to go thru Knoxville. We thought the this would really be a huge mess but kudos to TDOT for doing such a wonderful job of routing traffic. This months newsletter topic is "Don't be afraid to Ask". Again, the whole point to building the www.smokymountains-rv-campgrounds.com website was to help assist all you campers coming into the area. We want you to enjoy your stay so you will tell all your friends and come back and see us. We have done our best to provide you with the best and most current information on the campgrounds in the area so you don't have any surprises when you get here. Each campgrounds location is marked out on our map along with a listing of each campgrounds amenities. We have personally and numerously visited each campground and try to learn as much as we can about each one. We are not some internet source that just gathers information and throws it up on the web. We live in the area and spend a lot of time in this area vacationing ourselves. However, everybody has different needs and desires when camping. Thus - Don't be afraid to Ask us questions. We are here to do our best to help you. We may not have all the answers, but will know where to send you if we don't know. For example, last week we where contacted by some folks who where going to be in the Townsend area camping and bringing there horses with them to ride in the National Park. They needed a campground or a place to board there horses. Had to do some digging on that one - but found them a place to board their horses and with a great campground very close. So, don't be afraid to ask us questions. We are eager to help. Please keep in mind we service the privately owned campgrounds in the area - not the state owned parks but will do our best to help anyway. Two brand new campgrounds to be added soon !!!   Our Highlight for this months Newsletter is "ZORB" This months attraction we reviewed for you is "ZORB". What is Zorb ? I know you have seen the commercial. A Zorb is an 11 foot high inflatable transparent sphere which you can ride inside. Two feet of air protects you from the ground enabling you to Zorb down hills at high speed ! The whole "Zorb" thing started in New Zeeland. The company wanted to open a place here in the United States. So what was there best choice ? You guessed it. The Great Smoky Mountains !!! It is the ONLY one in the USA. The Smoky Mountains Zorb opened in the fall of 2007. You can ride the "Zorbit" which is a single ride where you are harnessed inside. Watch the ground and sky go spinning past. There are 2 center straight tracks for this ride. You can ride the "Zydro" which can accommodate up to 3 people - and as you can figure out by the name - they add up to 8 gallons of water (cold in the summer, warm in the winter). It is a cross between a water slide and rollercoaster. There are 3 track choices for this ride - 1 straight and 2 zig-zags. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Melissa helped explain the difference between the rides and tracks - thanks Melissa! L.J. explained what the ride was like with this simple statement, and I quote - "It's like nothing else you have EVER done before". Winston Burbage, the stores Manager, commented that they have yet to have a dissatisfied customer. Wow! Please note that there are some weight and height restrictions for this ride. Check out all the fun at www.zorb.com Directions: At stop light number # 1 on the parkway in Pigeon Forge, turn east and follow Sugar Hollow Road for 1/2 a mile and Zorb will be on the left. Make plans to visit this place !!! Because it is the only one in the United States, I'm sure you'll make some of your friends jealous that you got to ride in one !!!   May CALENDAR can be found HERE! JUNE CALENDAR Sunday - June 1st through Saturday June 14th, 2008 In Gatlinburg, TN: Gatlinburg SpringFest Location: Throughout Gatlinburg - Entertainment, Arts, History, Food Friday - June 6th, 2008 & Saturday June 7th, 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Pontiacs In Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show (865) 982-0008.) Location: Music Road Hotel And Convention Center. (800) 429-7700 June 6 - 7, 2008 Event Name: Summitfest 2008 Description: Apa and Lahkpa Sherpa, two of the most respected climbers on Mount Everest will be at Smoky Mountain Outdoors outfitters in Gatlinburg on June 6 - 7, 2008 Location: Winery Square, East Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (http://www.summitfest2008.com / Contact Info: 865-430-3838) June 7-8, 2008 Event: 32nd Annual Silver Dollar Open Rod Run Location: Oak Tree Lodge in Sevierville, TN. For more information call Ralph Wright at 865-995-3317 June 7, 2008 Event: Smoky Mountain MOPARS Car Show Enjoy the Smoky Mountain MOPARS Car Show at the Smokies Stadium. For more information call Dennis Hulmann at 865-428-4920 June 12-14, 2008 Event: Dumplin Valley June Fest - Bluegrass Festival. Experience great bluegrass music at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Camping hookups are available. For tickets call toll free 1-888-377-9888 or 865-397-7942 or visit www.dumplinvalleybluegrass.com June 13 - 15, 2008 Event Name: Living History Civil War Reenactment The recreation of the "Battle of Burg Hill" highlights this living history exhibition which includes public demonstration and a camp setting with plenty of history and heritage. Location: Mills Park (free admission) June 13 - August 9, 2008 Event Name: Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales All summer long hear tales, mountain music, and learn the lore of the Smoky Mountains on the sidewalks of downtown Gatlinburg.| Fourteen acts nightly. 6 -11 p.m Friday - June 13th through Sunday August 3rd, 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Dollywood's KidsFest™. Fore More Information Call (800) DOLLYWOOD Wednesday - June 18th through Sunday June 22nd, 2008 In Townsend, TN: ChristyFest™ (CF for short) is a festival to celebrate Christy the Novel, Christy the TV Series, and the PAX Movie Mini-Series. ChristyFest™ has grown over the years to cover related interests including mountain crafts, story telling, and southern mountain culture and history. ChristyFest™ is held annually in Townsend, Tennessee where the television series was filmed. ChristyFest™ is organized by a group of volunteers known as the Planning Team. Visit their website for much more info www.ChristyFest.org Thursday June 18th through Saturday June 21st, 2008 In Knoxville: 15th Honda Hoot More info 1-800-347-1289 Thursday - June 19th through Saturday June 21st, 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Smoky Mountains F-100 Run. Location: Smoky Shadows. For More Information Call (865) 453-7155 / (800) 282-2121 June 20-21, 2008 STPA Tractor Pull - Sevier County Fairgrounds 865-453-0770 Friday - June 20th, 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Chubby Checker In Concert. Location: Country Tonite Theatre. For More Information Call (865) 453-2003 / (800) 792-4308   UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS Thursday - July 3rd, 2008 & Friday - July 4th, 2008 In Gatlinburg: Midnight Independence Day Parade Presented by Red Barron Pizza For the 33rd consecutive year, Gatlinburg will kick off America's Independence Day celebration with the nation's first parade which will lead off at midnight to the cheers of 80,000 to 100,00 spectators. Friday - July 4th, 2008 In Gatlinburg: Stand Here Fireworks Finale "Stand Here" will be the best advice for visitors as Downtown Gatlinburg's skyline will transform into a flood of brilliant colors on the night of Friday, July 4th, 2007 when the sights and sounds of a spectacular fireworks display will fill the night sky in commemoration of America's independence. The fireworks show, is scheduled to begin shortly after sunset Friday - July 4th through Sunday July 6th, 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Southern National Association Reunion Of The Shows Car Show (423) 623-2446. Location: Music Road Hotel And Convention Center. For More Information Call (800) 429-7700 Friday - July 18th through Sunday July 27th, 2008 In Gatlinburg, TN: Gatlinburg Craftmen's Fair Art, crafts and music lovers can find near 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Gatlinburg Convention Center For more information call 865-436-7479. Admission Fee Required. Friday - July 25th & Saturday July 26th, 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Southern Nationals Association Mustang Madness Car Show (423) 623-2446. Location: Music Road Hotel And Convention Center. For More Information Call (800) 429-7700 Friday - August 8th & Saturday August 9th, 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Southern Nationals Association Battle of the Truck Show (423) 623-2446. Location: Music Road Hotel And Convention Center. For More Information Call (800) 429-7700 Saturday - August 23rd, 2008 In Bristol: Sharpie 500 Night Race - Bristol Motor Speedway For More Information Call (423) 764-1161 Sunday - August 31st, 2008 In Knoxville: 21st Annual Boomsday Fireworks Celebration For More Information Call (865) 342-9191 Friday - September 5th, 2008 & Saturday - September 6th 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Shades Of The Past Hot Rod Roundup XXVI. Location: National Parks Resort Lodge & Smoky River Ranch. For More Information FAX: (865) 995-9097 Thursday - September 11th, 2008 ~ Sunday - September 14th, 2008 In Pigeon Forge: Grand Fall Rod Run Location: Grand Resort Hotel & Convention Center For More Information Call (800) 251-4444