Last Day of the Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Pigeon Forge Great Smoky Mountains

Even though the week long Wilderness Wildlife Week event taking place in Pigeon Forge Tennessee at the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center seem like it just started, the last day of programs is just about to begin.

If has been some week with mother nature not being very cooperative and lots of the free of hikes that were scheduled to place in the Great Smoky Mountain national park ended up getting cancelled, but there was still lots of great information, music and laughs for anyone who braved the cold and snow to attend.

Many of the existing programs done in the past for Wilderness Wildlife Week have been updated this year, and there were a dozen or more new programs offered every day as well.

Some of today's must attend programs will be the 3 hour long Photography Workshop presented by Don McGowan, Kendall Chiles and Harold Stinnettee, the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway - The battle between Tennessee and North Carolina over the Park Way route presented by Dr. Harley Jolley and Stuart Jolley, and Photography and the Creative Process by William Jordan IV.

• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm Information Desk Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Vendor/Exhibit Hall Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Special Photo Exhibit: Pigeon Forge Fifty Years of Progress in the Cello Room.
• NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: SMOKIES THROUGH the LENS: Hands on Instructional Photography Classes in the Violin/Guitar Room.
• 8:30 am - 10:00 am Beginning Mountain Dulcimer. Presented by: Deby Libby, Ginny Cliett and Linda Smith in the Violin Room. There will be some dulcimers available but limited. Limit: 25 students must preregister at Information Desk. Observers welcome.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am The Appalachian Trail: An Entertaining Adventure. Presented by: Jeff Alt in the Dobro Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am A Year in the Life of a Black Bear. Presented by: David Whitehead in the Harp Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Cades Cove Military History. Presented by: Jerry Cunningham in the Ukelele Room.
• 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Photography Workshop. Presented by: Don McGowan, Kendall Chiles and Harold Stinnettee in the Guitar Room.
• 10:00 am - 11:30 am NEW: KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Nature Games for Children: Brad Jones in the Cello Room. Limit 40 Kids. Will meet in hallway next to Cello Room must preregister at Information Desk. Dress to go outdoors. Will do a Nature Scavenger Hunt, Play Bat and Moth and take a Nature Hike.
• 10:15 am - 11:15 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: KIDS TRACK and PARENTS: The Smoky Mountain Adventures of Bubba Jones. Presented by: Jeff Alt in the Dobro Room. A fun interactive event for kids and parents full of expert hiking and camping tips.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: In Digital Photography: What is Lightroom? Is Lightroom Right for You? What are the Alternatives? Presented by: Bob McAnally in the Violin Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:45 am KIDS TRACK: Bays Mountain Raptors Live bird show. Presented by: Bays Mountain Raptor Center in the Harp Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Images of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains Regional Project. Presented by: Anne Bridges and Ken Wise in the Ukelele Room.
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Learn Lightroom Library Module. Presented by: Bob McAnally in the Violin Room.
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Live Animal Show. Presented by: Silly Safari Show in the Dobro/Harp Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW: Turn Your Photos into DVDs with Music and Narration in Twenty Minutes. Presented by: Jim Eastin in the Guitar Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: A Cades Cove Childhood. Presented by: J.C. and Margaret McCaulley in the Ukelele Room.
• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Adobe Lightroom: Easy To Use and Learn Photo Editing Software. Presented by: Colby Mclemore in the Violin Room.
• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Something Old, Something NEW, Something Borrowed and Something Grew. Presented by: Donna Stinnett in the Dobro Room. As people moved through America and Appalachia their culture and plants came with them.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway: "Gentlemen, You Will have a Rough Road to Travel": The battle between Tennessee and North Carolina over the Park Way route. Presented by: Dr. Harley Jolley and Stuart Jolley in the Harp Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Your Traveling Photography Kit. Presented by: Jim Eastin in the Guitar Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Bogger a Tall Tale of the Mountains. Presented by: Mary Phillips in the Breakfast Room. A reading and nature program for kids and adults. Limit 25 Kids Kindergarten through 6th grade and limit 15 Adults. Must pre-register at Information Table.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: When Momma was the Doctor in Cades Cove. Presented by: Dr. Gail Palmer in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: In the name of Nature Slide presentation. Presented by: Brad Jones in the Dobro Room.
• 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Photo Exhibit Pick-up. All photo entries must be picked up by 6:00 pm in the Cello Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Adobe Lightroom for Wilderness and Scenic Photography. Presented by: Colby McLemore in the Violin Room.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Taking Your Photography to Your Next Level. Presented by: Ron Plasencia and Larry Perry in the Guitar Room.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Hug-A-Tree and Survive for Kids. Presented by: Joey Holt in the Harp Room.
• 3:45 pm - 5:00 pm Nathan Sparks-A Cades Cove Frontiersman 1828-1891. Presented by: Larry Sparks in the Ukelele Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Young Artists Coloring Session. Presented by: Louise Bales in the Breakfast Room. Limit 20 Kids 12 years old and under must preregister at Information Desk All materials needed will be provided.
• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Wonderful Waterfalls: Tennessee Treasures Slide Presentation. Presented by: William Carter in the Dobro Room.
• 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Photography and the Creative Process. Presented by: William Jordan IV in the Violin Room.
• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Three Professors and a Mule. Presented by: Charles Maynard in the Dobro/Harp Room. One hundred years ago three professors from Maryville College walked through the Smokies with the help of a mule.
• 7:15 pm Ken Jenkins: NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: in the Dobro/Harp Room.

Remember if you rent a cabin now for next years Wilderness Wildlife Week to take advantage of the cabin rentals discounts for the Smokies best cabins!

Wilderness Wildlife Week at The Music Road Hotel And Convention Center In The Pigeon Forge TN Day 7

Day 7 of Wilderness Wildlife Week begins in minutes and there is finally no more snow falling in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee.

The highlights from today's programs will be Managing the Search Function presented by Joe Kelley, Todd Witcher telling stories from the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory project, and just retired 30 year veteran of the Great Smoky Mountains national park Kim Delozier talking about Bears, Boars and Bulls -30 Years of Wildlife Management in the Smokies. If you can only catch one program, Kim's is the one to experience.

If you are planning on taking any of the free guided hikes today be sure to bundle up and since there is still so much snow around in the park, some of the hikes may be canceled again.

• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm Information Desk Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Vendor/Exhibit Hall Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Special Photo Exhibit: Pigeon Forge Fifty Years of Progress in the Cello Room.
• 7:00 am - 11:00 am Managing the Search Function. Presented by: Joe Kelley in the Guitar Room. Study some of the Smokies most famous Search and Rescue operations: Limit 70 must preregister at Information Desk.
• 8:30 am - 10:00 am Bird Songs of the Smokies. Presented by: Mark Dunaway in the Ukelele Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Live Animal Show. Presented by: Silly Safari Show in the Dobro/Harp Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:30 am Learn to Play the Harmonica in the Key of "C". Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Violin Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am Do It Yourself: Building a Backyard Habitat. Presented by: Mark Dunaway in the Harp Room.
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm: "Gear Fitting for Day Hikes". Presented by: Jim Richards in the Dobro Room.
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm: The Wolves of Bays Mountain. Presented by: Rhonda Goins in the Ukelele Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm: The Amazing Diversity of Fall Creek Falls State Park. Presented by: Stuart Carroll in the Violin Room.
• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Hiking and Photography Slide Presentation. Presented by: Robert Schuffert in the Guitar Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Why Here and Not There? Presented by Carolyn Templeton and Kent Cave in the Dobro Room. A discussion of the differences between National Parks, National Forests, National Scenic Rivers, National Monuments, National Battlefields, National Cemeteries and National Recreation Areas.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Baby Songbirds in Your Yard! Presented by: Regina Garr in the Harp Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Unusual Camping Tricks and Gizmos. Presented by: Larry "Coyote" Smith in the Ukelele Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Smokies Amazing Stories on the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. Presented by: Todd Witcher in the Guitar Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Young Artists Coloring Sessions in the Breakfast Room. Limit 20. 12 years old and under must preregister at the Information Table.
• 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm Beginning Mountain Dulcimer. Presented by: Deby Libby, Ginny Cliett and Linda Smith in the Violin Room. Limit 25 students must preregister at Information Desk. There will be a limited amount of dulcimers available best to bring own. Observers welcome.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Down By the Old Mill Stream Slide presentation. Presented by: Mike Meldrum in the Harp Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Lakes, Lighthouses and Landscapes of the North Woods Slide presentation. Presented by: Kendall Chiles in the Dobro Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: National Wildlife Refuges of Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi. Presented by: Jim Wigginton in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Learn To Play the Washboard, Spoons and Fiddle Sticks with the Boggertown Gap Band in the Breakfast Room. Limit 12 participants must preregister at Information table.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Challenger Opens Doors? Presented by Bob Hatcher in the Violin/Guitar Room.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Bears, Boars and Bulls: Thirty Years of Wildlife Management in the Smokies. Presented by: Kim Delozier in the Harp Room.
• 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Walking in the Beauty of the Natural World Slide presentation. Presented by: Don McGowan in the Dobro Room.
• 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm Wings of America. Presented by: American Eagle Foundation in the Violin/Guitar Room.
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Some Winter Birds of the Smokies. Presented by: Dr. Fred Alsop in the Harp Room.
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Wonders of Wildflowers Slide presentation. Presented by: Brad Jones in the Ukelele Room.
• 6:30 pm Slow Jam. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Guitar Room. Bring your own instrument or simply plan to enjoy and listen.
• 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Wild Hog Management. Presented by: David Whitehead in the Violin Room.
• 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: America's Diverse Landscape Slide presentation. Presented by: Chuck Summers in the Dobro/Harp Room.
• 8:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Out Under the Sky-Harvey Broom and the Tennessee Beginnings of the Wilderness Society. Presented by: Charles Maynard in the Dobro/Harp Room.

Wilderness Wildlife Week at The Music Road Hotel And Convention Center In The Pigeon Forge TN Day 6

With only 3 days left of Wilderness Wildlife Week taking place at the Music Road Hotel And Convention Center In Pigeon Forge Tennessee, the improving weather Friday and Saturday will be a big relief to the attendees, although we still expect snow in the Great Smoky Mountains for the rest of today.

Today's schedule of classes, lectures, demonstrations, music and guide hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains national park will keep any enthusiast of photography, nature, history, science and Smokies culture will be kept at the edge of their seat.

Some of the highlights of today's Wilderness Wildlife Week programs will be the Overview of Primitive Wilderness Skills presented by Larry "Coyote" Smith, the Elk in the Smokies program presented by the Great Smoky Mountains national parks wildlife specialist Joe Yarkovick who specializes in elk management and eduction, and Survival Lessons from an Aircraft Accident which will be presented by Joe Taft.

• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm Information Desk Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Vendor/Exhibit Hall Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Special Photo Exhibit: Pigeon Forge Fifty Years of Progress in the Cello Room.
• 8:00 am - 11:00 am Introduction to Tracking People in the Outdoors. Presented by: Joe Kelley in the Harp Room. Dress to go outside.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Introduction to Musical Instruments in Story and Song. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Dobro Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am An Overview of Primitive Wilderness Skills. Presented by: Larry (Coyote) Smith in the Guitar Room.
• 9:30 - 10:30 am Green Power Switch: ReNEWable Energy. Presented by: Lucas Harkelroad in the Violin Room.
• 10:15 am - 11:15 am UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Hidden Garden II: Learn to See. Presented by: Dr. Alan Heilman in the Ukelele Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Autoharp: Making Instant Music. Presented by: Judy Carson in the Dobro Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Survival Lessons from an Aircraft Accident. Presented by: Joe Taft in the Violin Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Scenic Alabama Slide Presentation. Presented by: Robert Schuffert in the Guitar Room.
• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Creating a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife. Presented by: Phylis Rollins in the Harp Room.
• 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Identifying Local Birds of Prey. Presented by: Stephen Lyn Bales in the Ukelele Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm O! Possum! Live Animal Show. Presented by: Lynne McCoy in the Guitar Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Banjo in Appalachia. Presented by: Boggertown Gap Band in the Dobro Room.
• 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm Where's Mommy? Rehabilitation of Orphaned Wildlife. Presented by: Phylis Rollins in the Harp Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Hands om History: Calligraphy and Penmanship. Presented by: Pat Thomas in the Breakfast Room. History of calligraphy combined with brief instruction and materials to practice letter formation and write out a quote about the mountains. Limit 15 must preregister at Information Desk.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: "Wild Wonders". Presented by the Knoxville Zoo Bird Show in the Violin/Guitar Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: HERITAGE: The Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier. Presented by: Robin Goddard in the Dobro Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Bicycling Adventures On and Off the Road. Presented by: Elle Colquitt in the Harp Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: "What Matters Mathers Most" Creating a National Park System. Presented by: Kathy Gwinn in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Let's Sketch a Bird. Presented by: Louise Bales in the Breakfast Room. All material provided: Limit 20 students 12 years old and older. Must preregister at Information Desk.
• 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Traditional Entertaining and Storytelling from the Smokies. Presented by: Smoky Mountains Storytelling Association in the Guitar Room.
• 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Hiking the Appalachian Trail Slide Presentation. Presented by: Bert Kunze in the Violin Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Hosting Hummingbirds! Presented by: Regina Garr in the Ukelele Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm The Spirits of Cades Cove: Slide Presentation. Presented by: Mike Meldrum in the Dobro Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm UPDATE WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Elk in the Smokies - Home Again. Presented by: Joe Yarkovick in the Harp Room.
• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Cherokee: Learn of the history of the Cherokees in the Great Smoky Mountains and the formation of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation. Presented by: Jon Elder in the Harp Room.
• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Eagle-Facts and Legends. Presented by: Bob Hatcher in the Ukelele Room.
• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Old Time Music by Multi Instrumentalist. Presented by: Roger Helton in the Dobro Room.
• 6:00 pm Saturday hike sign ups Holiday Inn Express across the street.
• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Whaley Family Singers: Old Hymns and Songs of Faith in the Violin Room.
• 7:30 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Spiritual Side of Nature. Presented by: Chuck Summers and Ken Jenkins in the Dobro/Harp Room.
• 8:30 pm Lore of the Moon and Stars. Presented by: Stuart Carroll in the Guitar Room. Dress to go Outside.

With additional snow and many of the Great Smoky Mountains national park roads closed, expect that more of the guided hikes may be called off today.

Did you know if you stay for a week or more to enjoy the Wilderness Wildlife Week that you can rent a cabin for less than $10 a day?

Wilderness Wildlife Week day 5 at The Music Road Hotel And Convention Center In Pigeon Forge TN

Wilderness Wildlife Week is still going strong on day 5 and yes, it is still snowing and even more is on the way. Some of the hikes have been cancelled due to accessibility issues but there is still plenty to do inside where it is warm and dry.

Today only, Wednesday January 12th you can tape your favorite Pigeon Forge memory for an oral history archive of the Great Smoky Mountains if you stop by room 101 at Music Road Hotel and Convention Center anytime between 10:30 am - 4:00 pm.

This Smoky Mountains oral history project is being compiled by the Pigeon Forge Library for the 50th anniversary of Pigeon Forge. What the historians are looking for three to five minute stories such as ordering a hamburger basket from Remacs, watching your first movie at the Midway, your first hair cut at Tebo's barber or a family vacation you took to the Smokies.

It is these first hand impressions of Pigeon Forge when it was a quaint little town on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains that can be enjoyed and studied for future generations. Do you have what it takes to be part of this Pigeon Forge oral history collection? Please help contribute!

• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm Information Desk Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Vendor/Exhibit Hall Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Special Photo Exhibit: Pigeon Forge Fifty Years of Progress in the Cello Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Before There Were Video Games: A hands on learning experience about toys and other pastimes before the electronic age. Presented by the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Limit 50 must preregister at Information Desk in the Violin Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Scenic Tennessee: Slide presentation. Presented by: Robert Schuffert in the Guitar Room.
• 9:30 am - 10:30 am The Art of Dowsing: Do you have the gift? Presented by Charlie Monday in the Dobro Room. Limit 30 must preregister at Information Desk.
• 9:30 am - 10:30 am UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Saving the Endangered Whooping Crane - The Tennessee Connection and Current Status. Presented by: Ken Dubke in the Ukelele Room.
• 10:00 am - 11:00 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Sheriff Ray Noland Book Review. Presented by: Mrs. Ersa Rhea Noland Smith. Ms. Smith will share stories of her father's experiences as high Sheriff of Sevier County in the Harp Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am Coal Mining Days in Story and Song. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Violin Room.
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Dixie Highway, Rock City Barns and Burma Shave Signs. Presented by: Kathy Gwinn in the Guitar Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Careful Out There. Presented by: Joe Taft in the Ukelele Room.
• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Carolina Bluegrass Boys Concert: ALSO: Appalachian Cloggers come join in on the fun in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Is Your Landscape Escaping? Presented by Kristine Johnson in the Ukelele Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Wild Ones Among Us. Presented by: Lynne McCoy. Live animal show in the Harp Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Native American Stories. Presented by: Robert "Red Hawk" Eldridge in the Guitar Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Calico and Bandannas. Presented by: Pat Thomas in the Breakfast Room. A history of calico and bandannas combined with coloring a cotton bandanna for each participant: Limit 15 students must preregister at Information Desk.
• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Old Time String Band Concert. Presented by: Boogertown Gap Band in the Dobro Room.
• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Bluebirds Year in the Round! Presented by: Steve Garr in the Violin Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Wildflowers of Tennessee. Presented by: Jack Carman in the Ukelele Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: An Overview of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Presented by: Jim Wigginton in the Guitar Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Exploring the Smokies with Physical and/or Mental Challenges. Presented by: Carolyn Templeton in the Harp Room.
• 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm The Cumberland Trail, A State Scenic Trail. Presented by: Tony Hook in the Violin Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Ranger Recollections II. Presented by: Joe Kelley in the Dobro Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm The Art of Dowsing: Do You have the Gift? . Presented by Charlie Monday in the Ukelele Room. Limit 30 must preregister at Information Desk in the Breakfast Room.
• 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Old Time Hymns. Presented by: Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton. These songs of praise are the songs you sang as a child. They filled the little one room churches of the Smokies in earlier times.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Who Lives in These Woods? Creatures Worth Saving. Presented by: Joel and Kathy Zachry in the Guitar Room.
• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm The Perry's Camp Murders. Presented by: Robert S. Allen and Steve O. Watson in the Ukelele Room. Listen and learn of one of Sevier County's most infamous murder cases that took place in 1949.
• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Carolina Bluegrass Boys Concert: ALSO: Appalachian Cloggers come join the fun in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Noted and Peculiar Court Cases of Earlier Times. Presented by: Veta King, Sevier County Circuit Court Judge, the Honorable Rex Henry Ogle and attorneys Mr. John B. Waters, Jr. and Mr. Jerry McCarter tell of early justice of the Peace courts and unusual county court cases of the past in the Violin Room.
• 6:00 pm Friday hike sign ups Holiday Inn Express across the street.
• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Transitions: Finding the Familiar in a Changing World - From the Heartland Series. Presented by: Doug Mills in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 6:30 pm Slow Jam. Presented by: Tony Thomas. Bring your own instrument or simply plan to enjoy and listen in the Guitar Room.
• 7:15 pm UPDATE WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: A Celebration of the Heartland Series. Presented by: Bill Landry in the Dobro/Harp Room.

Despite the bad weather, people are already reserving their cabins for next years and taking advantage of the 10% returning guest discount to boot!

Day 4 of the Wilderness Wildlife Week at The Music Road Hotel And Convention Center In The Pigeon Forge TN

As Wilderness Wildlife Week at The Music Road Hotel and Convention Center in Pigeon Forge Tennessee day 4 begins, the snow continues and will through tomorrow.

While attendance has been affected because of the snow, there are still plenty of people showing up for the lectures and demonstrations and today we have a few special events you should not miss.

Kids will love the Knoxville Zoo's Zoomobile presenting the Wild World of Animals as well as Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard our "bear ladies" teaching kids in a fun way about bears through the use of hands on activities.

Great Smoky Mountains national park wildlife technician Rick Varner who has spent decades working in the park will present a lecture on Wild Hog Control in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and can answer most any question about the wildlife in every inch of the park.

Lots of more great music, photography demonstrations and more are in store for anyone who braves the snow today!

• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm Information Desk Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Vendor/Exhibit Hall Open
• 9:00 am - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Special Photo Exhibit: Pigeon Forge Fifty Years of Progress in the Cello Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Returning the Osprey to Nest in Tennessee. Presented by: Ken Dubke in the Harp Room.
• 9:30 am - 10:30 am Introduction to Old Time Banjo. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Dobro Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Ghost Birds: Jim Tanner and the Ivory Bill. Presented by: Stephen Lyn Bales in the Guitar Room. Stephen will discuss his NEW book about University of Tennessee's Dr. James T. Tanner's 1935-1941 search for the legendary ghost birds of the Southern swamps Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers.
• 10:00 am - 11:30 am NEW: Meet Mr. Herb Clabo. Hear Mr. Clabo tell of near one hundred years of living in the Great Smoky Mountains or right in its back door. Presented by: Veta King in the Ukelele Room.
• 10:00 am - 11:30 am Backpacking - Getting Started Safely. Presented by: Pamela Rodgers and Mike Braun in the Violin Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Wolves of Bays Mountain: Recapturing of the wolves during 2009/2010. Presented by: Rhonda Goins in the Harp Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Wild World of Animals. Presented by: Knoxville Zoo's Zoomobile in the Guitar Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Civil War in the West. Presented by: Jack Carman in the Dobro Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Old Time Cooking and Canning a Panel discussion with Veta King, Ruth Matthews and Frances Shambaugh. Presentation of the old time methods of cooking on a wood cook stove, canning in a black cast iron pot, and preparing meals for large families in the Ukelele Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm The Art of Dowsing: D Harp Room Do You have the Gift?: Limit 30 participants must preregister at Information Desk. Presented by: Charlie Monday in the Harp Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Wing Things: W.C. and Glenna Julian and Lois English in the Violin Room They will show how many wing things dragonflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators are in our gardens and how to attract them.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm The Circle of Life, the Bear Facts. Presented by: Mike Meldrum in the Guitar Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Air Quality Update for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Jim Renfro in the Dobro Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Low Relief Carving-Log Cabin: Don Taylor: Limit 12 must preregister at Information Desk in the Breakfast Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Meet "Aunt Lydia Kear Whaley". Presented by: Ruth Carr Miller in the Ukelele Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Dolomites: Travel, Hiking and Highlights: Gudrun and Peter Seifert in the Harp Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The Community of Elkmont will be presented from four different perspectives: Lumber business, Resort homes and their destination, as well as special synchronous fireflies. Presented by: Wilma Durpo in the Violin Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Llamas Live! Hiking with Pack Llamas. Presented by: Sandy Sgrillo in the Guitar Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Vingettes From Sevierville's Past: Panel discussion and video. Presented by: Carroll McMahan in the Dobro Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Learn About Bears Through Hands On Activities.
• Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard. Limit 20: Ages kindergarten through 6th grade must preregister at Information Desk in the Breakfast Room.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Orioles! Spring and Summer. Presented by: Regina Garr in the Harp Room.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Pig Tales, Wild Hog Control in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Rick Varner in the Guitar Room.
• 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Pigeon Forge Celebrates Fifty Years! Presented by: Veta King. Travel back in time to 1961 when Pigeon Forge incorporated with Mayor Xan Daveport, Vice Mayor Winfred Whaley, and Commissioner Wade McMahan at the helm in the Ukelele Room. Pigeon Forge residents voted 160 to 152 to incorporate. A "Sevier County NEWs-Record" article ran in July of that same year stating that the town had 974 residents and fifty-two businesses.
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Meigs Post Line Through the Smokies: Stories from their book. Presented by: Joe Kelley and Dwight McCarter in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 6:00 pm Thursday hike sign ups Holiday Inn Express across the street.
• 6:15 pm UPDATE WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Tales From Lost! Presented by: Dwight McCarter in the Dobro/Harp room.
• APPALACHIAFEST! A Musical Celebration of Our Heritage - even clogging with Appalachian Cloggers! Attendees welcome to join in the fun.
• 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Great Smoky Mountain Inhabitants and Their Music: Boogertown Gap Band in the Violin/Guitar Room.
• 6:45 pm - 7:15 pm Tony Thomas in the Violin/Guitar Room.
• 7:30 pm Carolina Bluegrass Boys in the Violin/Guitar Room.

Day 3 of Wilderness Wildlife Week In the Pigeon Forge Tennessee Smoky Mountains.

Many challenges for the 21st Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week January 8th - 15th, 2011 because of the weather, but that has not stopped the diehard fans of this fantastic tribute to the people, animals, music and crafts of the Great Smoky Mountains being held in the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center located just off the parkway in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

While the weather in the Smokies during winter is unpredictable, the snow that has been predicted continues to fall through the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina with more in store for the next 48 hours.

While the snow has hampered the free guided hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - one of the favorite activities Wilderness Wildlife Week, and some of the presenter have had problems getting to the event, everything should be back to normal by this weekend.

• 9:00 am - 10:00 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: How to Build a Mountain Home: Participants will work as a team to assemble a small log cabin: Limit 50 people must preregister at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in the Ukelele Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: So That's Where That Expression Came From! Presented by Kathy Gwinn in the Guitar Room.
• 9:30 am - 10:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Master Gardener Program: Helps to create wildlife friendly gardens and landscapes. Presented by: Dr. Leo Lubke in the Harp Room.
• 9:30 am - 10:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Introduction to Autoharp. Presented by: Judy Carson and Tony Thomas in the Violin Room.
• 10:00 am - 11:00 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Water, Water Everywhere-Or is There? An Informative and Educational presentation on current water quality issues facing our region, country and world. Presented by: Matt Kulp in the Dobro Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Enjoying the Wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Slide presentation. Presented by: Tom Harrington in the Guitar Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:45 am Hiking on Snow and Ice and Cross Country Skiing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Wendell Liemohn in the Ukelele Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Ijams Family Legacy in the Smokies. Presented by: Paul James in the Harp Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: You and Me Coexisting with Bears. Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard in the Violin Room.
• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Introduction to the Mandolin. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Dobro Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NE WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Easy Hiking in the Alps Part II. Presented by: Gudrun and Peter Seifert in the Harp Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Black Bear Management in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Bill Stiver in the Ukelele Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Of Ginseng, Golden Apples and the Rainbow Fish-Ancient Tales and Mountain Treasures: Songs and Stories. Presented by: Dog Elliott in the Violin Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Native American Stories. Presented by: Robert "Red Hawk" Eldridge in the Dobro Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Ownby Family Memories of Cherokee Orchard. Presented by: Theresa Williams in the Guitar Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Low Relief Carving of a Log Cabin: Don Taylor: Limit 12 must preregister at Information Table and have carving tools in the Breakfast Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Appalachian Bear Rescue: Who We Are and What We Do. Presented by: Lisa Stewart in the Harp Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: State of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Bob Miller in the Ukelele Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm A Wildlife Habitat for Every Season. Presented by: Steve Garr in the Violin Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Wildflowers of the Smokies. Presented by: Jack Carman in the Dobro Room.
• 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Pictorial overview of prominent places in the park and park information, history, culture and stories. Presented by: Wilma Durpo in the Guitar Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Those Ain't Teddy Bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Mike Meldrum in the Breakfast Room. Limit 10 must preregister at Information Desk.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Old Fashion Spelling Bee (Adults welcome too). Presented by: Robin Goddard in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Leave No Trace: Presenting the ethics of leaving no trace in the outdoors. Presented by: Pamela Rodgers and Mike Braun in the Harp Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Ranger Recollections I. Presented by: Joe Kelley in the Dobro Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Music of Our American Roots. Presented by: Lost Mill String Band in the Violin Room.
• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm NEW KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: In Touch with Wildlife: A touching and learning program using bird feathers, turtle shells, etc. Presented by: Lynn McCoy in the Breakfast Room. Limit 12 must preregister at Information Table.
• 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm What Makes the Smokies Like No other National Park? Presented by: Bill and Rosemary Deitzer in the Guitar Room.
• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Cas Walker Tails: Mr. Cas Walker- "the ole coon hunter": Stories and Songs about an East Tennessee Legend. Presented by: Mike and Kathy Gwinn in the Violin Room
• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Creative Critters: Stories and Songs about animal behavior and amazement. Presented by: Doug Elliott in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 6:00 pm Wednesday hike sign ups Holiday Inn Express across the street.
• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Bone-ON-Bone-What Hikers Need to Know on Joint Replacement. Presented by: Joel and Kathy Zachry in the Guitar Room.
• 7:00 pm "And Heaven and Nature Sing". Presented by: Ken Jenkins, Judy Felts and Friends in the Dobro/Harp/Ukelele room.

...of course if you get snowed into your cabin and you have free WIFI, a game roomn, fireplace and a hot tub with a view, how bad is that?

Day 2 of Wilderness Wildlife Week In the Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains.

Wilderness Wildlife Week day 2 is another fun filled exciting day of activities, guided hikes and classes about the Great Smoky Mountains and a little snow won't spoil the fun - as a matter of fact the picture perfect beauty of a snow dusted Smoky Mountains is just what photographers have been waiting for!

Feedback from those that attended Wilderness Wildlife Week yesterday has been extremely positive and it seems that each year it just keeps getting better! A suggestion is that you may want to pack in a lunch today and especially tomorrow and Tuesday, as the road will be a little worse with all the new snow we are expecting the next 48 hours.

As if you cannot get enough, today there will be 2 programs on Black Bear that live in the Smokies and some great slide shows and photography programs on this day 2 of the 21st Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

• NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK SPECIAL PHOTO EXHIBIT: Pigeon Forge Fifty Years of Progress in the Cello Room 9:00 am- 6:00 pm.
• 8:30 am - 10:30 am Stocked Trout Stream Fishing. Presented by: Greg Ward in the Guitar Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Sunday Morning Singing. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Dobro Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am NEW pm: Bear Ecology. Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard in the Harp Room.
• 9:00 am -10:00 am Wildflowers of the Southern Highlands. Presented by: Jack Carman in the Violin Room.
• 9:30 am -10:30 am: Marking Time: A Guide to the Historical Markers in East Tennessee. Presented by: Fred Brown in the Ukelele Room.
• 10:30 am -11:30 am: NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Discovery of the Gray Fossil Site. Presented by: Harry Moore in the Dobro Room.
• 10:30 am -11:30 am Images of Light: Slide Presentation. Presented by: Tom and Pat Cory in the Harp Room.
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm: NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: A Hiker's Guide to Wild Food and Medicine. Presented by: Ila Hatter in the Violin Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Improving Your Photography. Presented by: Bill Fortney in the Guitar Room.
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Civil War in the Mountains. Presented by: A. Christine Tipton in the Ukelele Room.
• 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Nature Writing Workshop: Putting your outdoor experiences into words. Presented by: Jeff Rennicke in the Dobro/Harp.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Long Live John Barleycorn- Of Lawns, Weeds and Wheat Fields: Song and Stories. Presented by: Doug Elliott in the Violin Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Digital Technician: Slide presentation. Presented by: Bill Fortney in the Guitar Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Butterflies: How to Attract Them. Presented by: Lois English and W.C. and Glenna Julian in the Ukelele Room.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Kiddin Around: Hands On Introduction to Mountain Music and Instruments. Presented by: Lost Mill String Band in the Breakfast Room. Limit 20 and you must preregister at Information Desk. Parents are encouraged to accompany kids.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Whistle over the Mountains: Story of Elkmont Logging Days. Presented by: Jim Thurston in the Harp Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Old Harp Shaped Note Singing: A group of People from Sevier County sing the way their ancestors did early in the last century. Presented by: David Sarten in the Violin Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm UPDATED WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Sanctuary in the Smokies: Photographs and Readings from "Sanctuary: Meditations from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: J. Greg Johnson in the Guitar Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Cardinal's: Everyone's Favorite Red Bird. Presented by: Steve Garr in the Dobro Room.
• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Hens, Hives and Herbs: History and Life in the 1940's: W.C. and Glenna Julian and Donna Stinett in the Ukelele Room.
• 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm World Class Smallmouth Bass: Greg Ward in the Breakfast Room.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm NEW KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Batteries Not Included Fun with Games and Toys. Presented by: Mike Meldrum in the Harp Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Weeds for Your Needs-Useful Wild Plants: Songs and Stories. Presented by: Doug Elliott in the Dobro Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm NEW KIDS TRACK WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Children's Sing-Along: Adults welcome. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Violin Room.
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Switzerland Hiking Photo Tour. Presented by: Shannon Harris in the Ukelele Room.
• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Tales From Two Smokies Trail Completers. Presented by: Bill Deitzer and Tommy Small in the Guitar Room.
• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: "Encounters - More on Bears" . Presented by: Joel and Kathy Zachry in the Guitar Room.
• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Ken Jenkins Program in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 6:00 pm Tuesday hike sign ups Holiday Inn Express across the street.
• 7:45 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Growing Up Wild: Connecting Kids with the Great Outdoors: The joys, frustrations, and challenges of raising a NEW generation of young people who understand, enjoy, and feel connected to the natural world around them. Presented by: Jeff Rennicke in the Dobro/Harp room.

A picture perfect winter vacation in the Smokies, a great gathering of people for free and a great deal on cabin rentals, why aren't you here?

The 21st Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week starts today in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

The hottest ticket is the Great Smoky Mountains is at one of the free classes, lectures, activities or on the bus to one of the many guided hikes on the 21st Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week.

Some of these events that run from January 8th - 15th, 2011 will be standing room only and for good reason: the best of the best will be presenting, guiding and performing and everything taking place at the Wilderness Wildlife Week is free!

This year's Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week will take place again as it has for years at the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center a block off the parkway in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

What is new is that the location to sign up for any one of the more than 50 guided hikes taking place in the Great Smoky Mountains national park will be held at Holiday Inn Express across the street from Music Road Hotel & Convention Center.

This year’s hikes will have the added challenge of plenty of fresh snow. It is very likely that some of the hikes will be canceled or alternate hikes will be made as roads such as Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg and Cherokee are closed right now due to snow and ice and there is presently no access to Greenbrier and Cades Cove.

With the inclement weather, some of the lectures may have to be postponed, canceled or speaker may have to be substituted, but no matter what, if you love nature, photography, history, music, crafts, hiking or great stories, there is something for every one of all ages at this year’s 21st Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

The Information Desk at the convention center is open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and the Exhibit Hall is open from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Saturday January 8th, 2011 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule:

• 8:00 am - 11:00 am Learn to Use a Map and Compass. Presented by: Terry and Lavalla Edgington in the Ukelele Room. Limit 50 that must preregister at Information Desk.
• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm The Information Desk is open.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Rock Formations of the Smokies: Geological Past of Smoky Mountains. Presented by: Harry Moore in the Dobro Room.
• 9:00 am - 10:00 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Photoshop for the Nature Photographer Presented by: Larry Perry in the Violin Room.
• 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Nature Photography Workshop. Presented by: Kendall Chiles, Tom and Pat Cory and Harold Stinnette in the Guitar Room.
• 9:00 am - 11:30 am Fly Fishing in the Smokies Presented by: Greg Ward in the Harp Room.
• 9:00 am - 1:00 PM: Photo Exhibit Entry and Set Up - (Entry form must be submitted with photo) in the Cello Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am Discovering October Roads: View Fall Colors of East Tennessee. Presented by: Fred Brown and Harry Moore in the Dobro Room.
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am Introduction to the Acoustic Guitar. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Violin Room.
• 11:30 am Sunday hike sign ups at Holiday Inn Express across the street from the convention center.
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Groundhogology: Songs and Tales. Presented by: Doug Elliott in the Dobro Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Update on Searching for Panthers in the Smokies. Presented by: Dr. Don Linzey in the Ukelele Room.
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm KIDS TRACK: Animal Olympics: Comparing Human Senses and Abilities to Those of Wild Animals, Interactive. Presented by: Ann Schlichting in the Harp Room. Limit 30 Children: Must Preregister at Information Desk.
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm KIDS TRACK: Learn About Bears Through Hands-ON- Activities. Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard in the Breakfast Room. Limit 20: Kindergarten-6th Grade: Must Preregister at Information Desk.
• 1:30 am - 2:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Weather Signs: Learning How to "Read the Signs" for Changes in Weather for Hiking and Camping. Presented by: Ila Hatter in the Violin/Guitar Room .1:30 pm -2:30 pm Serpent Handlers: Serpent Handling Religion in Appalachia. Presented by: Fred Brown in the Dobro Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Grand Canyon Adventure, North to South, East to West, Top to Bottom a View for Everyone. Presented by: Bill Deitzer and Bob Turney in the Harp Room.
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Avent Cabin: The Inhabitants, Heritage and Folklore of a Historic Smoky Mountain Cabin Near Elkmont. Presented by: Carroll McMahan in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Sunday Morning at "Moon"- Shine Missionary Baptist Church: Stories and Songs. Presented by: Mike and Kathy Gwinn in the Dobro Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: National History Day Students: Talented Local Students Share Their Knowledge of How to Document Your Local History. Presented by: Sabrina Gray in the Violin Room.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Hands On History: Make a Quill Pen with Instructions and Materials to Make a Quill Pen. Presented by: Pat Thomas in the Breakfast Room. Limit 12 which must preregister at Information Desk.
• 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm Fly Casting. Presented by: Greg Ward in the Guitar Room.
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm UPDATE: Civil War in the Mountains. Presented by: A. Christine Tipton in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Waterton Lakes, Canada to Alaska and Return: A Photographic Travel Log. Presented by: Bob and Gloria Epperson in the Harp Room.
• 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Ballads of the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by: Boogertown Gap Band in the Violin Room.
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: KIDS TRACK: Booger a Tall Tale of the Mountains: Story Reading and Nature Program for Children and Adults: Wildflower Project. Presented by: Mary Phillips in the Breakfast Room. Limit: 25 Children ages 6-12 and 15 Adults. Must Preregister at Information Desk.
• 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Wildwoods Wisdom: Exploring Our Spiritual Connection to Nature. Presented by: Doug Elliott in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 6:00 pm: Monday hike sign ups - Holiday Inn Express
• 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm Wilderness Wildlife Week Opening Comments. Presented by: Terry Maddox, Executive Director of Great Smoky Mountains Association: Jim Hart, Director of Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Dale Ditmanson, Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 7:30 pm: Opening remarks. Presented by: Ken Jenkins in the Dobro/Harp room.
• 7:45 pm: NEW: Keynote Program. "With NEW Eyes: Finding a Sense of Place in Nature": This presentation is composed of beautiful original photography and intriguing stories, Jeff takes us along a journey to some of the most beautiful places on earth and helps the listener find their own sense of a place close to home. Presented by: Jeff Rennicke in the Dobro/Harp room.