Smoky Mountains RV Campgrounds Newsletter September 2008 (Issue #2008 - 07) Well hello from the beautiful Smoky Mountains. It has been very hot here. Well, its August - dah. It has been in the mid to upper 90's with very high humidity. August is the hottest month here are we are looking forward to September weather and cool evenings. We want to welcome our newest RV Park in the area - Bear Cove RV Park !!! A nice new campground with concrete pads and secluded setting. Road Construction Info: We need to inform you that I40 going thru Knoxville has been closed for awhile for road construction. You will need to use the I640 bypass if your travels have to go thru Knoxville. The section of road that goes between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and vis versa has been re-paved - Yeah !!! Very nice and smooth ride. We have been getting a lot of request for rates on the campgrounds. Each campground is different so we put a link at the bottom of each campgrounds page. If you click on the blue "click here" for more information, it will take you directly to that campgrounds webpage and should have all of their rate information. This month's newsletter is geared for all you "gear heads" out there. If you look at the calendar of events you will see three car shows and two that are back to back. The first one is: Shades of the Past. This is an annual car show that draws major attention and is held at the Smoky River Ranch (which is a large open field with a pavalion). The best way to get there is as soon as you come into Pigeon Forge (stop light # 1 which is Henderson Chapel Road) turn right and follow to stop sign. Turn left and it will dead end into Smoky River Ranch. This car show is complete with some of the best of the best and isles of vendors, food, and prizes. Definitely worth the price of admission. The second, which is the following weekend and an annual as well, is the Fall Grand Run. It is located at the Grand Hotel and Convention center in Pigeon Forge. The best way to enjoy this one is to get a room at the Hotel. If not, turn left on Lake Thomas Road and find a place to park across the river and walk in. The hotel is on North River Road and is usually very hard to get to during the show. This show is indoors and out. Only the best are in the show and most are by invite only. Vendors and food are inside the Convention center and is air conditioned. This show is also worth the money. Now, taking in consideration these shows are back to back, guess what the show car owners do? Yep, they hang out ALL week in between shows. The whole strip - side to side is full of antiques, hot rods, customs, trucks, and cars for sale. If you like cars - THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE. Most of them after the show hours are over go out on the Parkway and cruise. You may see some bleach used every now and then. So bring your camp chairs and find a good spot to just sit along the parkway and watch all the excitement. PLEASE NOTE: Make sure you pay to park at either event. If you try to "beat the system" and park by not paying you will more than likely get towed. Trust me, the towing companies in the area make their living at the car shows. I saw a guy shell out $115 to avoid being towed. So, park where you are supposed to. This is one big party as well. Unfortunately the Police know this too and have very little tolerance and are out in force. So be careful but have fun. ATTRACTION With all that is coming up in September with the cars shows I could not think of a better attraction to review than our very own nationally recognized Muscle Car Museum in Severville. Floyd Garretts Muscle Car Museum is packed full of over 90 muscle cars worth over 7 million dollars. Everything from a custom 1940's Mercury Convertible to an 07' Z06 Corvette. This museum has been featured on such programs as - TNN's Motor Trend, Speed Vision, My Classic Car, The History Channel, American Muscle, Shade Tree Mechanic, Super Chevy Magazine, Mopar Muscle, and Muscle Car Review. Cars from all over the United States are on display, including some very rare finds. For instance, a 1970 Charger R/T with a factory sunroof - only 112 built. A 1969 Camaro Yenko/SC 427, 67' and 69' Chevy Camaro Indy Pace cars and the list goes on. Big blocks, small blocks, 4 paks and 6's, posi and drag, autos and manuals, new and old, custom and stock, blowers and turbos, and hardtops and rags oh my. When we visited he had on display Marilyn Monroe's 1959 Cadillac Eldorado that George Barris did for her and painted it a custom gold metallic. Also there, was the Dodge Challenger that was used in the filming of 20th Century Fox's Vanishing Point II with the 426 Hemi. What is nice is that photos are allowed and he changes the inventory regularly. We ran into some old timers that come to the museum often and confirmed that what we where seeing was some rare and a very nice collection of muscle cars. The show room is huge and air conditioned and has a lot of neat memorabilia. Floyd Garretts Muscle Car Museum is located at 320 Winfield Dunn Parkway (Hwy 66) and is a family owned and operated business for 12 years. Just as you get into Sevierville it will be on your right hand side just past Volunteer Chevrolet. Museum is open 9 am - 6pm 7 days a week and has a gift shop. Take a break from the Parkway and come visit this great showing of American Muscle Cars at its best. Check out there website with more great pictures and info at : www.musclecarmuseum.com September Events September 1-6 Sevier County Fair - Traditional hometown fair with a midway, carnival rides, games, contests and concerts at Sevier County Fairgrounds 865-453-0770 Event Name: Old Fashioned Wagon Rides Date(s): September 1 - November 30 Season: Fall Category: Entertainment, Fundraiser Description: Enjoy a unique, fun-filled wagon ride in downtown Gatlinburg, surrounded by the Great Smokies in the fall and Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays beginning in November. Location: Downtown Gatlinburg Contact Info: 865/436-0535 Admission: Yes 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 Event Name: A Taste of Autumn Date(s): September 18 Season: Fall Category: Fundraiser, Food Description: Sample signature dishes from the area's finest restaurants. Enjoy live entertainment, live auction with a cash bar. Proceeds benefit United Way of Sevier County. Location: Gatlinburg Convention Center September 18-20 Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival - Experience great bluegrass music at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Camping hook-ups are available. For tickets call toll free 1-888-377-9888 or 865-397-7942 Admission: Yes Event Name: Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival Date(s): September 19 - October 31 Season: Fall Category: Arts, Entertainment, History Description: Fall decorations, old fashioned hayrides, events, entertainment, and local craft exhibits. Location: throughout Gatlinburg Admission: FREE   Event Name: Run For The Hills 10K Road Race Date(s): September 21 Season: Fall Category: Entertainment Description: Popular 10K road race. Location: Downtown Course Website/Link: http://www.ci.gatlinburg.tn.us Contact Info: 865-436-4990 Admission: Entry Fee Event Name: Gatlinburg United Way Shark Race Date(s): September 27 Season: Fall Category: Entertainment, Fundraiser Description: Festivities begin at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies as rubber sharks are released into the Little Pigeon River. Enjoy Live Entertainment, food, fun, and fantastic prizes. Location: Ripley's Aquarium Plaza Website/Link: http://www.uwosc.org/deliv/shark.htm  Contact Info: 865/436-4261 Admission: Entry Fee September 26 - 28 The Great Smoky Mountain 3rd Annual Auto Fest - At Smokies Stadium. See a wide variety of autos, attend the swap meet and car corral, enjoy cash and prize giveaways, a Thursday night cruise in downtown block party. Registration is limited to the first 1500 cars. Registration $30. Gates open 8am - 6pm daily. Www.smokymtnautofest.com  September 26 - 27 TPA Tractor Pull - Sevier County Fairgrounds 865-453-0770 UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS Event Name: Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair Date(s): October 9 - 26 Season: Fall Category: Arts, Entertainment Description: More than 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artists demonstrating on site, selling art. Live music. Location: Gatlinburg Convention Center Website/Link: http://www.craftsmenfair.com  Admission: $5.00