If the inauguration of holiday lights, marching bands, seasonal music and floats including one for the Jolly Ole Elf himself are just what you need to awaken you for this special time of year, you will be in luck in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, starting on December 1, 2017.
What is traditionally known as the Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will make its way down the same route it has used for 42 years and counting. Grand Marshall for the 2017 parade is Marshall Del Bryant who will pay special tribute to composers of the ‘Rocky Top’ folk song. Amid all the lights, sounds and floats to see, it will be hard to realize that watching this activity from beginning to end requires two hours which seem to fly by in a heartbeat.
Be sure to acquire tickets for this year’s Christmas Story presentation at the Biblical Times Dinner Theater. The last performance of this dynamic program is New Year’s Eve. While visiting a website to obtain tickets, you will need to make a reservation at the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre to enjoy laughing at the antics involved in ‘Buh Humbug’ no matter who is portraying Scrooge. This 2-hour performance has received outstanding citations from the City of Gatlinburg and the Tennessee State Senate.
Your itinerary of holiday events and activities should definitely include joining a guided tour for Trolley Ride of Lights which wends its way through the City of Gatlinburg. Another tour may be reserved for a breathtaking view of holiday lights and decorations to include the Pigeon Forge area as well as native daughter Dolly Parton’s Dollywood. In addition to being chauffeured, having a tour guide is sure to impart interesting tidbits of information in the process.
Another way to enjoy the holiday lights of Gatlinburg is from the 407-foot tall Space Needle. Upon entering the ground floor, two elevators are available to transport visitors some 400 feet above ground to a 360° glass-enclosed viewing area.
Embarking on a brief journey in the vicinity of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge affords the opportunity to experience Shadracks Christmas Wonderland to enjoy the sychronization of holiday lights and music. Youngsters will want to be sure to keep an eye out for the place to mount a pony or have a picture taken with Santa.
Leave it to Gatlinburg to have its own unique Christmas Place that celebrates Christmas all year long since this attraction never closes. Displays include a model train as well as decorated shop windows and Christmas trees everywhere possible.
Last by not least be sure to visit Dollywood to see Dolly Parton herself taking the stage as the Ghost of Christmas during its annual rendition of Dicken’s “Christmas Carol’.