The perennially award-winning festival, now in its seventh year, will be held Aug. 12-19 in Pigeon Forge, TN. This year's event promises to live up to the reputation, with events planned across the city. "Celebrate
Freedom is always a great event," Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
Special Events Director Lila Wilson said. "It's such an honor to be
able to pay tribute to those who help keep America free. It's so important to do that."
Celebrate
Freedom coincides, in part, with another Pigeon Forge festival -
Stringtime in the Smokies. The weekend event will bring some well-known
bluegrass bands to the area for free performances at Patriot Park.
Among those scheduled to attend are Sam Bush, Doyle Lawson &
Quicksilver, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, Mountain Heart
and the Carolina Bluegrass Boys. An open jam session for local musicians and dancers will be held beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Old Mill Square.
On
Monday, The Incredible Christmas Place will host an "I'll Be Home for
Christmas Street Dance" from 7-10 p.m. The free dance will feature
music from the Al Curtis Orchestra. Golfers
from across the region are expected to take part in the Freedom Classic
Golf Tournament beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The event will be held
at Gatlinburg Golf Course on Dollywood Lane and will raise money for the Pigeon Forge Boys & Girls Club. Prizes
will be given to the top four teams in the tournament's two flights.
Also, a sports package, consisting of a three night stay and tickets
for two to one practice round and one tournament day at a major golf
tournament, will be awarded in a drawing.
Perhaps the festival's
biggest day, Saturday will see a host of kid-friendly activities
centered near Boyds Bear Country. Events that day will begin at 7 a.m.
and will last until 4:30 p.m. Sponsored by Boyds and the Black Bear
Jamboree, and benefiting the Appalachian Bear Center, the day has been
labeled "A Cele'bear'ation of Freedom."
"It's always wonderful
to see youngsters attend this festival because it's fun, but it's
really a glimpse at American history, too," Wilson said.
Events
throughout the day will include a 5K run, a silent auction, live
entertainment, games for kids, a scavenger hunt, a talent show and a
young patriot's parade. The parade invites children to add patriotic
decoration to bikes, tricycles and wagons for the chance to win U.S.
Savings Bonds from Tennessee State Bank.
At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday
through Friday, the always-popular Celebrate Freedom musical, which was
commissioned and is wholly owned by the city of Pigeon Forge, will be performed at Smith Family Theater.
The show commemorates the sacrifices of those who fought in American wars from the Revolution to the current skirmishes in the Middle East. It includes several stirring songs, including several written by music director and Walters State Community College faculty member Deborah Hicks.
Each night, veterans take the stage during the final number and are recognized by the cast and audience.
"I love that moment," director Pedro Tomas said. "It's such a great tribute and a great moment for the veterans."
On
the final night of the performance, gold star families, those who have
lost a loved one in combat are recognized. It's a powerful moment for
all those in attendance, Wilson said.
"Veterans
and families come in from all over to be part of this, it's so
special," she said. "It really is our opportunity to pay tribute not
only to the veterans, but to those who have lost someone fighting for
our freedom." Pigeon Forge officials
understand that the celebration of freedom deserves more than a week.
In that spirit, businesses across the city are offering special
discounts to veterans who visit the area during August.