Stringtime in the Smokies

Make plans now to attend “StringTime in the Smokies.” StringTime is August 4, 2012 and takes place in the area surrounding Pigeon Forge’s Old Mill and Patriot Park. The 1-day event features some of the area’s finest Appalachian musicians, pickers, crafters, and artisans who demonstrate their skills and share their knowledge with Pigeon Forge visitors.

Enjoy the Smoky Mountain Cornhole Tournament (aka beanbag toss) at 11:00 a.m. presented by The Old Mill and Co-Sponsored by WDVX. First prize for the tournament is $1000 so be sure to sign up! Download the Cornhole Tournament Flyer. The evening bluegrass performances will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Mountain Music fills the air from performers on stage to breakout jam sessions where everyone gets into the act. A variety of old-fashioned games can be enjoyed by all ages, and antique farm equipment brings another taste of nostalgia to the event.

Don’t forget the stick-to-your-ribs great food that can be enjoyed at outdoor picnic tables making Stringtime in the Smokies is a celebration of American music. It is the perfect way to spend a day in Pigeon Forge at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. Admission is free, and food and beverage vendors will be on site.

You are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. Also, bring your own instrument and make some music!

Community Radio Station WDVX will be live in front of Pottery House Cafe & Grill.  WDVX is a not-for-profit community radio station that is supported by donations from listeners.

The cornhole tournament is in Memory of Sergeant Brett Benton and is co-sponsored by WDVX and The Old Mill.  Evening bluegrass performances begin at 7:00 p.m. Sit back and enjoy the authentic music of the Smoky Mountains…good ole bluegrass!

Tennessee Tax Free Weekend 2012 – Shop & Stay in the Smokies!

At first glance “sales tax holiday” doesn’t sound very exciting. After all, when are taxes EVER exciting? But if you look closer, you’ll realize that this is a holiday FROM sales tax!! The Smokies offer tons of shopping anyway, for those shop-a-holics out there… and on tax-free weekend every year, shop-a-holics come from far and wide to enjoy that statewide discount here in the Smokies! This year, tax-free weekend is August 3-5, 2012. There are more places to shop here than I could possibly put on one blog, but here are a few of our favorites!

The Village Shops- “For Gatlinburg Shopping at its best, The Village is the place to shop, eat, relax and enjoy! Just past stop light #6 on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, adjacent to the Pancake Pantry, lays one of the Smokies most unique destination shopping experiences in Gatlinburg near Pigeon Forge, TN. Here you will find a collection of 27 unique boutiques, eateries, galleries and clothiers set in a quaint European village atmosphere right near the entrance to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

Baskins Square Mall Gatlinburg- Baskins Square Mall is located conveniently between traffic lights #6 and #7 in downtown Gatlinburg! This mall includes about 14 shops from Claires, to Mountain Woodcarvers, to the Mountain Edge Grill! Come on down!

Mountain Mall- “The Gatlinburg Mountain Mall, Gatlinburg’s premier indoor shopping experience, is unlike any other shopping mall. Nestled in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, TN at Traffic Light #6 across from Ripley’s Aquarium, the Gatlinburg Mountain Mall features a vast variety of shops each with a unique theme.”

Reagan Terrace Mall- Reagan Terrace Mall is located conveniently between traffic lights #6 and #7 in downtown Gatlinburg! This mall includes about 13 shops from Midieval Blades, to Old Timey Photos, to Fudge Shoppe of the Smokies! Don’t miss out!

Tanger Outlet- The Tanger Outlet offers over 100 band name stores just off 441! Tanger is probably the favorite shopping destination in the Smokies of most of the people I talk to! It includes every type of store you can imagine, as well as a few delicious places to eat, and right next door is the Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Mini-Golf, where you can drop off the members of your family who don’t enjoy shopping while you hit the stores!

Incredible Christmas Place- “[They] are the South’s largest Christmas village, surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains. The Christmas spirit comes to life [ther] daily with over 50 designer-themed Christmas trees, novelty Christmas Lights, Department 56 Villages, Personalized Ornaments, and custom floral arrangements designed exclusively at The Incredible Christmas Place.”

Belz Factory Outlet World- “Belz Outlets Pigeon Forge are the largest, most convenient and only climate-controlled outlet shopping highlight in the area. We feature more than 65 outlet stores offering everything from apparel and footwear to homes goods and fragrance.”

The Old Mill Square- “The Old Mill Square complex of restaurants, bakery, pottery and craft shops is more of a total destination than a single stop among an abundance of area tourist attractions, certainly as much so as the Tanger Factory Outlet Malls, or Dollywood, or Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. Visitors can still watch meal and flour being ground the same way by the huge water powered granite French Buhrs in the mill, or pottery being thrown, or bread and candy being made. It’s a day’s worth or more of delight and wonder.”

Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall- “Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall, also known as the “Red Roof Mall,” is a wonderful opportunity for exceptional outlet shopping when you are in the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, or Sevierville areas. Our stores offer a variety of products and factory outlet experiences. From perfumes to snacking and from clothing to books and tools, we have it all for low prices you can’t beat.”

This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.

Poison Ivy!

Someone said to me the other day “I really feel bad for people that come here and don’t know what poison ivy looks like!” It is all over the Smokies so know what it looks like and stay out of it!

What does it look like?

Poison ivy is a plant that grows as a vine or a shrub and is found throughout eastern North America. It is recognized by its three leaves that are sometimes lobed and shiny. The leaves are often (but not always) red, especially in the fall. The vines are hairy and often grow up tree trunks.

How do you get it?

When skin comes in contact with the urushiol oil in the plant (leaves and stems) most people have an allergic reaction, usually in the form of a skin rash. If the urushiol oil gets inside your body (inhaled, ingested, or through a cut) the reaction can be much more dangerous, requiring medical attention.

After exposure, it usually takes a day or two for the rash to appear, but cam ;ast up to eight weeks!

How do I know if i have poison ivy?

You probably have poison ivy if you have red, itchy, bubbly blisters. The rash often looks like a straight line because of the way the plant brushes up against the skin.

How do I treat it?

Unfortunately once you have it, you can’t really do anything but wait. There are several products that will help with the itching, but nothing will get rid of it except for time.

Calamine lotion has long been used on poison ivy rashes. This pink milky liquid dries out the blisters and relieves itching.Tecnu is a product that removes urushiol oils from the skin if used quickly enough after contact. If you find that you are especially sensitive to poison ivy, it may be a good idea to carry this product with you.

How do I avoid Poison Ivy?

The best way to avoid getting poison ivy is know what it looks like and stay away! A good rule of thumb is “Leaves of three, let it be!” There are lots ofother plants that come in leaves of three too, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to not touch those either!

If staying out of the poison ivy is not an option, cover up! Wear pants, long sleeves, closed shoes, and gloves if necessary. Wash your clothes after contact.

If skin is exposed, wash immediately with soap or tecnu.

Unexpected ways to get Poison Ivy:

In winter – You can still get poion ivy in the winter when there are no leaves, so stay away from those hairy vines!

From dogs – dogs are not allergic to poison ivy, so they certainly don’t think twice about running through it and rubbing against your legs!

Learn More:

Here are some good resources to learn more about Poison Ivy and how to avoid it!

Poisonivy.org

http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/welcome.html

This blog is sponsored in part by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN. For more information on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.