Music Road Hotel & Convention Center 

New for 2012

Additions to the Wilderness Wildlife Week Photography Contest: Thanks in part to our wonderful friends at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, the Wilderness Wildlife Week Photography Contest has expanded.  For the first time ever, the contest will feature seven divisions: Amateur, Professional, Wildlife, Landscapes/Seascapes, Youth & Young Adults (For ages 17 and under), Great Smoky Mountain Landmarks,as well as the newest addition to the contest, Nature’s Wonders in Black & White.  Nature’s Wonders in Black & White is a unique division as it focuses entirely on black and white photography of wildlife, landscapes/seascapes and nature’s great landmarks.  Also new to the contest is the implementation of the Judges’ Choice Award presented to the entry the contest judges’ grade as the best of the show that captures quality photography and skill, as well as the meaning and spirit of wilderness and wildlife. 

Saturday, January 7th: NEW!  CADES COVE HERITAGE TRACK!  Beginning at 10:00AM in the UKELELE ROOM, listen and enjoy as Cades Cove experts bring the history of the people and area to life.  New programs include Cades Cove Teachers by Dorothy Gregory Sutton from 10:00AM – 11:15AM, War within the Family: Civil War Gregorys by Mary Gregory from 11:30AM – 12:45PM, Cades Cove Photos and Photography by Missy Tipton Green from 2:00PM – 3:15PM and Uncle Noah and Sarah Brown Burchfield by Larry Sparks and Judy Myers Johns from 3:30PM – 4:45PM.

Sunday, January 8th and Tuesday, January 10th:  NEW!  ECHOES OF THE SMOKIES!    Be prepared to relive the history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Wilma Durpo as she presents two programs that highlight topics such as The Formation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from 11:30AM – 12:30PM and Echoes of Cataloochie and Elk from 12:45PM – 1:45PM on Tuesday, January 8th, in the HARP ROOM.  The series continues in the VIOLIN ROOM on Tuesday, January 10th, as Wilma explores topics such as the Epic of Elkmont from 9:30AM – 10:30AM, as well as the Spirit of the Black Bear from 10:45AM – 11:45AM.

Tuesday, January 10th: Smoky Mountain Heritage Track: Be prepared to reminisce and experience life throughout the history of Sevier County.  While there will be an assortment of classes marked as HERITAGE that tell a piece of the past throughout the eight days of Wilderness Wildlife Week, the HERITAGE TRACK in the UKELELE ROOM on Tuesday, January 10th focuses exclusively on the heritage and history of Pigeon Forge, Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains.