August Special Events Coming Up!

The late section of Summer is upon us! This is traditionally where people experience the “back to school blues”, even when they don’t have to go back to school themselves! The main festivity of the season is over by August and there’s a feeling there won’t be anything else to look forward to until close to Halloween – but in the Smokies, this is far from true!

And to prove it, we’re going to showcase some awesome August events coming up or going on right now within a convenient driving distance from Douglas Lake. Take a look at what we’ve got in store:

* Celebrate Freedom *
August 1st to August 31st

Starting on August 1st and running through the full length of the month, many businesses in the city of Pigeon Forge will be having a month-long salute for active and veteran members of the military with exclusive military discounts, as well as some that offer discounts for rescue and law enforcement officers. All you need to do is show proof of ID for your military, rescue or law enforcement occupation to the participating business and you’re good to go!

See the full list of discounts and participating businesses at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/event/celebrate-freedom.

* Stringtime in the Smokies *
August 4th

It’s an August tradition for the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge to hold an all-day music festival and we look forward to hearing some great groups, individuals and music coming from it once again this year! The entire festival is free and begins at 11:00AM. The Old Mill has some fine, high class shops in its complex, so plan to spend a day at the Old Mill on August 4th.

See more on the Old Mill at www.old-mill.com.

* Bubba Fest *
August 10th to August 12th

You might have heard the Tennessee Smokies was getting an event in August called “Bubba Fest” and thought it might’ve been a joke – but it is indeed a real event and it really is coming to Pigeon Forge. Don’t turn your nose up at it, though, Bubba Fest is a tongue-in-cheek festival that is very self-aware and wants to encourage us to have fun with the “Bubba” stereotype of Southerners. Bubba Fest will feature events that include a kick-off party, live wrestling, celebrity look-alike contest and a “farmer’s tan” competition while celebrity meet and greet opportunities will feature Burt Reynolds, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Bret “the Hitman” Hart, Lee Majors, Richard Pretty, Glenn “Kane” Jacobs and others.

Get the full story on Bubba Fest at https://www.bubbafest.com/.

* The Smoky Mountain Songwriter’s Festival *
August 13th to August 22nd

This is probably the biggest music festival we have in Sevier County. This is more than a week of performances by singer-songwriters, hit writer and talented locals as well as workshops, songwriting lessons and other events that truly make it a festival! Dozens and dozens of powerful songsmiths will be performing all throughout its duration in Gatlinburg.

See more on this event at https://www.gatlinburg.com/event/smoky-mountains-songwriters-festival/.

* The Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival *
August 18th

Now this is an event for which the Smokies has nothing like throughout the region or calendar! On August 18th in Townsend, TN, a number of huge hot air balloons with professional designs on them will take flight and provide a “glow” event against the backdrop of the gorgeous Smoky Mountains and the even more gorgeous sunset. Additional event amenities like live entertainment, local craft beers and more will be available as well.

See more on this event at http://gsmballoonfest.com/.

And don’t forget there will be plenty more to come here soon! Nearby Sevierville will also have some things here and there. You can get more information on Pigeon Forge events at www.mypigeonforge.com; Sevierville events at www.visitsevierville.com; and Gatlinburg events at www.gatlinburg.com.