The secrets, treasures and pleasures of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are unveiled Jan. 13-21, 2007, at Wilderness Wildlife Week, a special activity presented by the some of the park’s closest neighbors.
Wilderness Wildlife Week, organized by the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, offers nature photography classes, wildlife seminars, cultural history programs, hikes, excursions|–|even children’s programs and musical events|–|for the 17th year in a row. All programs are free.
Every day of Wilderness Wildlife Week offers a selection of programs both indoors and outdoors. Reviewing the schedule is akin to studying a college catalogue. Almost 100 experts, authors and outdoor enthusiasts lead the programs.
Among the wildlife sessions are “Understanding Black Bears,” “Elk in the Smokies,” “Returning the Osprey to Tennessee,” “Panthers in the Smokies,” “Wild Turkeys in Tennessee” and “Bears, Boar, Wolves & More.”
Art and photograph programs include “Nature Photography Workshop,” “Intro to Close-up & Macro Photography,” “Digital Landscape Photography” and “Wilderness Sketching.”
Topics about outdoor activities include “Backpacking in the Smokies: Getting Started Safely,” “Wilderness First Aid” and “Fly-Casting 101.”
“One program that everyone who hunts, fishes or hikes would enjoy is ‘Lost: Tales of Lost People’ that focuses on searches for people lost in the Smokies,” said Lila Wilson, director of special events for the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism.
Dwight McCarter, a retired National Park Service ranger who has dealt with his share of searches, leads that session. McCarter has written a book, “Lost,” about those searches and another one called “Mayday! Mayday!” that chronicles 54 airplane crashes in the Smokies from 1916-1999.
Daily hikes and excursions into the national park complement the indoor seminars, lectures and photography shows.
“The week is designed so you can attend one lecture or take one hike, or you can participate day after day for all nine days,” Wilson said.
“One of the real beauties of Wilderness Wildlife Week is how it appeals to people who don’t necessarily feel comfortable in the outdoors. This is especially important when you have a dedicated hiker, hunter or fisherman who wants to introduce other family members to what he enjoys so much,” said Kay Powell, assistant director of tourism for Pigeon Forge.
All of the programs are free, except for AppalachianFest, a night of traditional Smoky Mountain music on Jan. 16, featuring an appearance by the legendary Doc Watson and other performers, including Phil and Gaye Johnson, Jack Pearson, William Howse, and the Carolina Bluegrass Boys. The music event is new this year to Wilderness Wildlife Week and will take place at the Country Tonite Theatre.
Wilderness Wildlife Week began 17 years ago as a half-day program on a January Saturday. January hasn’t been the same since then in Pigeon Forge.
Wilderness Wildlife Week won the Pinnacle Award for “Best Environmental Program” or “Best Educational Program” in 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005 from the International Festivals & Events Association and has been one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events in the Southeast eight times.
Information courtesy of Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism