PIGEON FORGE/GATLINBURG, Tenn.
Pigeon Forge tourism officials are reinforcing that the city’s many attractions, theatres, restaurants and lodging properties are operating as usual after recent wildfires in the area. The announcement comes after Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner encouraged visitation to the area as a show of support.
"If you really want to do something for Gatlinburg, come back and visit us,” Werner said in a Nov. 30 press conference. “We’re the strongest community I’ve ever seen. We’re going to come back strong.”
“Many of our city’s 6,000 residents, as well as those of our friends and family in Gatlinburg, are dependent on the tourism industry for jobs to care for themselves and their families,” added Leon Downey, Pigeon Forge executive director of tourism. “As our communities move forward, our industry has an obligation to our residents and employees to encourage visitation to the area and sustain our business.”
Pigeon Forge businesses were not damaged by the fires and businesses are operating as usual. The city’s Winterfest festival continues, including several Christmas shows at various theaters. Dollywood theme park reopens on Friday, Dec. 2. Restaurants and lodging properties are operating on normal schedules.
City-wide support includes 30 Pigeon Forge firefighters currently stationed in Wears Valley. Of the 500 evacuees in Pigeon Forge, fewer than 20 remain in the Pigeon Forge Community Center shelter.
“We are heartbroken by the devastation we’ve seen in Gatlinburg,” said Pigeon Forge City Manager Earlene Teaster. “But I speak on behalf of all our Pigeon Forge tourism partners when I say that we offer our constant prayers and encouragement for everyone affected and stand alongside them.”
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (TN VOAD) have set up a call center (866-586-4483) to provide information for those who would like to donate goods and volunteer to help survivors. For a list of the most-needed items, please visit http://mypf.social/pfdonationneeds. The call center is staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
To support displaced residents and visitors, Pigeon Forge established a distribution center to disperse donated food and supplies and provide insurance info. Located in the former Boyds Bear building, the facility is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Here are some additional news updates from Gatlinburg and the surrounding area:
- Tennessee Officials Say Wildfires ‘Likely to Be Human-Caused’ (via WaPo)
- Dolly Parton Promises $1,000 Per Month to Families That Lost Homes (via ABC News)
- Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Fires: How to Help (via The Tennessean)
- Many Gatlinburg Tourist Attractions Survive Fires (via WBIR)
Our original write-up on the situation in Eastern Tennessee is available here.
