Day 7 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

As we wind down to the final 2 days of Wilderness Wildlife Week taking place in the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge were are finally going to start to see seasonally acceptable weather as well.

While weather in the Smokies was a big topic of discussions, so was the great time everyone has been having the past week here at the event. As a matter of fact I found some people coming here for more than a decade that said this was the best Wilderness Wildlife Week event ever.

Some of the Roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park had reopened yesterday as the weather just started to poke above freezing and the park is expecting most to be reopened by late today.

That's great news for those taking guided hikes in the park Saturday as we expect all the guided outdoor programs to be able to take place and fortunately it looks as though all the Wilderness Wildlife Week guided hikes can take place today as well!

Today's must see of Wilderness Wildlife Week programs include the exciting Famous Searches and Rescues in the Great Smoky Mountains by Joe Kelley, Bob Swabe, Judy Wasak and Joey Holt, live Eagles. Presented by American Eagle Foundation and In the Spirit of Adventure which will be presented by Charles Maynard.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 7: Friday, January 31st 2014

• 8 – 11am: Famous Searches and Rescues in the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Joe Kelley, Bob Swabe, Judy Wasak and Joey Holt. Taking place at room South 2.
• 9 – 10am: Discovering the Cumberlands Video Presentation. Presented by Stuart Carroll. Taking place at room South 3.
• 9 – 10:30am: Nature Recording in the Smokies. Presented by Mark Dunaway. Taking place at room South 1.
• 10 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Folk Songs of Cades Cove. Presented by Maddie Carpenter. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! More People Who Shaped Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Bill Deitzer. Taking place at room North 2.
• 10 – 11am: Our Smokies Heritage! Load a Wagon. Presented by Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: Jewels from the Sky: Snowflake Photography. Presented by Kris Light. Taking place at room South 3.
• 10:30 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Blount County Gunsmiths, 1800-1900. Presented by Randal Pierce. Taking place at room North 3.
• 11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! History of the Pigeon Forge Iron Works.On a recent excavation at the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge the unearthed evidence of the original iron furnace which was used in the Pigeon Forge Iron Works in the early 1800s. Learn how this bloomary furnace system worked. Presented by Alan Longmire and Dr. Elizabeth Kellar. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wildlife Diversity in Tennessee. Presented by Chris Ogle. Taking place at room South 1.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! What Are We Saying with Our Photography? Chasing That Special Look. Presented by Dale Knight. Taking place at room North 2.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make a traditional or modern Native American Dreamcatcher. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Sue Todd. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 11:30 – 1pm: Bird Songs of the Smokies. Presented by Mark Dunaway. Taking place at room South 2.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: Identifying Local Birds of Prey. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales at the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 12:30 – 2 pm: Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer. Participants must bring own mountain dulcimer. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Tim Simek. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Sparks Lane: Then and Now Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Jasper and Banff Natural Parks Video Presentation: Canadian Wonderlands. Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 2.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Tennessee River: A Journey Video Presentation. Presented by Randy Hedgepath. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1 – 2pm: Saving Tennessee’s Hemlock Trees Video Presentation. Presented by Stuart Carroll. Taking place at room South 3.
• 1:30 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Blindfold Surprise Blindfolded participants will identify objects given to them to determine if they are recyclable or not. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Keep Sevier Beautiful. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Cherokee Stories. Presented by Lloyd Arneach. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: Intro to Autoharp. Presented by Tony Thomas and Judy Carson. Taking place at room South 1.
• 2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Colorful Birds of Spring and Summer Video Presentation. Presented by Regina Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! A Moth-er’s Night Out: Learn about Moths and Other Nocturnal Insects. Presented by Kris Light. Taking place at room South 2.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The Photos of William Derris of Townsend, TN, 1930-1956. Presented by Missy Tipton Green and Paulette Ledbetter. Taking place at room North 3.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Logging Railroads in the Smokies. Presented by Rick Turner. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Nature Writing for Love and Money, Part 1. Presented by Rob Simbeck. Taking place at room South 3.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: Special Kids Track. How to Make a Quill Pen. Limited to 10, ages 12-17 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring sharp penknife or x-acto blade. Presented by Pat K. Thomas. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 3 – 4pm: Lakes, Lighthouses and Landscapes of the North Woods Video Presentation. Presented by Kendall Chiles. Taking place at room North 2.
• 3:15 – 4:15pm: America’s Best Idea: Our National Parks Video Presentation. Presented by Chuck Summers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: Bald Eagle Recovery: Keys to Success. Presented by Bob Hatcher. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 4 – 5pm: Walking Through the Beauty of the Natural World Video Presentation. Presented by Don McGowan. Taking place at room North 2.
• 4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Appalachian Music Concert by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 4 – 5pm: Finding Birds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Video Presentation. Presented by Dr. Fred Alsop III. Taking place at room South 3.
• 4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Pioneer Toy Making. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Roy Henson. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 4:30 – 5pm: Birds of Prey: Live Eagles. Presented by American Eagle Foundation. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 4:45 – 5:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Outhouse is In! The Privy Goes Public. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lighting Essentials. Presented by Douglas Hubbard. Taking place at room North 2.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Music of Coal: Mining Stories from the Coal fields of Appalachia. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 6:15 – 7:15 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! In the Spirit of Adventure. Presented by Charles Maynard. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 7:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! It’s OK to Get Older as Long as You Refuse to Grow Up! Humor About the "Joys of Maturity". Presented by Sam Venable. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 5 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Thank goodness Wilderness Wildlife Week takes place indoors at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge as another arctic blast hit the south and we here in the Smoky Mountains have not been spared.

Presently virtually all roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are closed due to snow and ice and even the visitor centers and park headquarters are not expected to be able to open on time even though there is a large event that was supposed to taking place today: the release of a new quarter honoring the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Our bold prediction is that none of the guided hikes will take place today in the GSMNP for Wilderness Wildlife Week and that is a real shame given that the Finley Cane and Alum Bluff hikes are some of my favorites and I many who were looking forward to the Cades Cove Photo trek as well. The guided bus tour of the History of Pigeon Forge should go on as planned.

Luckily Wilderness Wildlife Week mostly takes place in the warmth and comfort indoors and you do not need to leave the LeConte Center during the day for anything as it is all here.

I know it has been said before, but this is going to be another great day of lectures, musical performance and classed - all free of course - that make Wilderness Wildlife Week the amazing event that it is.

The must see and do events today include Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities presented by Kathy Sheppard of the Appalachian Bear Rescue organization, 15 Years of the Smokies' All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory by Todd Witcher which will amaze you and inspire you and Humorous Native American Stories presented by Lloyd Arneach.

There is another chance to learn how to play the Mountain Dulcimer and jam with others and the Boogertown Gap band will play again.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 5: Wednesday, January 29th 2014

• 9 – 10am: The Art of Dowsing. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Charles Monday. Taking place at room South 1.
• 9 – 10am: Returning the Whooping Crane to the Eastern Flyway Slide Presentation. Presented by Ken Dubke. Taking place at room South 2.
• 9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Reelfoot Lake: Tennessee’s Earthquake Lake. Presented by David Haggard. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Conservation Efforts at Pogue Creek State Natural Area. Presented by Travis Bow. Taking place at room South 3.
• 9:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make Your Own Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Bandana. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Louise Bales. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 9:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Painting the Smokies. Limited to 18, ages 18 and older and you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring own #6 or #8 flat brush. Presented by Dick Ensing of Dutchman’s Loft. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 10 – 11 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Niagara and Back by Waterfall Slide Presentation. Presented by Bill Carter. Taking place at room North 2.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! 60 Years of Supporting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by the Great Smoky Mountains Association. Taking place at room North 3.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: Energy, Effort and Passion: Volunteering in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by Christine Hoyer who runs the GSMNP Volunteers in the Parks. Taking place at room South 2.
• 11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Amazing Trees of Tennessee. Presented by Flo Moore. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Rev. Robert Hall, Bishop of the Cumberlands Monologue. Presented by Will Rabert as he takes on the role of Robert Hall, the Bishop of the Cumberlands and founder of the Cumberland Mountain School for plateau children. Taking place at room South 1.
• 11 – 12:30pm: Journey on the Camino de Santiago, Part 1 (2011). Presented by Olga Pader. Taking place at room South 3.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Concert by the Carolina Bluegrass Boys Featuring the Appalachian Cloggers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• Noon – 1pm: 15 Years of the Smokies’ All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. Presented by Todd Witcher. Taking place at room North 3.
• Noon – 1pm: Better Flower Pictures. Presented by Bob Stephenson. Taking place at room South 2.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! The Story of Greenbrier Cove. Presented by Glenn Cardwell. Taking place at room North 2.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Camera Basics 101: Understanding Your Camera’s Adjustments Used in the Manual. Presented by Douglas Hubbard Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 1 – 2pm: Alligators, Bears and Wolves. Presented by Jim W. Wigginton. Taking place at room South 3.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Get Growing! Keep Sevier Beautiful. Participants which are limited to 30 and must pre-register at Information Desk, will make a planter from common recyclable's to take home along with seeds and soil. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 1:15 – 2:15 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Ballads, Part 1. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Black Bear Cubs Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Miracle of the Monarch. Presented by Lois English and Glenna Julian. Taking place at room South 2.
• 1:30 – 3:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Playing Mountain Dulcimer by Ear and Playing in Jam Sessions. Participants must bring own mountain dulcimers and there is a Limited to of 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Tim Simek. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Cherokee History: Both Sides of the Smokies. Presented by Jon Elder. Taking place at room North 2.
• 2 – 3pm: The Art of Dowsing. Limited to 30 so you must pre-register at the Information Desk. Presented by Charles Monday. Taking place at room South 1.
• 2 – 3:30pm: Civil War in the West, 1863. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Plants and Animals Important to the Native Americans. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room South 3.
• 3 – 4pm: A Ranger Family’s Recollections. Presented by Joe Kelley and Sons. Taking place at room North 3.
• 3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! America’s First Ladies. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 3 – 4pm: Wild Ones among Us. Presented by Lynne McCoy. Taking place at room South 2.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Murder and Baseball in Sevier County, 1949-1953. Presented by Robert S. Allen. Taking place at room North 2.
• 4 – 5pm: Special Kids Track. Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Kathy Sherrard of the Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Margaret Steverson: The Walkingest Woman in the Smokies. Presented by Bill Deitzer. Taking place at room North 3.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! New Joints for Old Hikers! Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at room South 2.
• 4:30 – 6pm: My Experience Through-Hiking the John Muir Trail Video Presentation. Presented by Bert Kunze. Taking place at room South 3.
• 5 – 6pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Vintage Views Video Presentation. Presented by Kevin Tierney Taking place at room North 2.
• 5 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Humorous Native American Stories. Presented by Lloyd Arneach. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: Concert by Carolina Bluegrass Boys Featuring the Appalachian Cloggers. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 6 pm: Friday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 6:30 – 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Meanderings of a Silly Man: The Extremes. Presented by Doug Mills. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 7:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! From the Heart of Appalachia: Even More Heartland Stories and Adventures. Presented by Bill Landry. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Day 3 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Attendance was high for the first weekend of Wilderness Wildlife Week though the weather has not been cooperative most guided hikes could not take place in the Great Smoky Mountains national park on the first day of hikes which was yesterday.

The good news is that the Wilderness Wildlife Week programs taking place in the Pigeon Forge LeConte center were packed and when the day ended, people were already discussing in the halls the programs they were coming to today.

The programs that were big hits yesterday were 2 of the photo programs Working with Wildflowers and Nighttime and Low light Photography, were master photographers shared their secrets and I for one can't wait to try some of them out. Always bring a pen and pad to Wilderness Wildlife Week!

The Wilderness Wildlife Week demonstrations you need to be sure to see today will be the history of Moonshine in Tennessee which has seen a huge increase in interest in the past few years and aspiring musicians will like Beginning Hammer Dulcimer which is limited to 20 participants.

Everyone will enjoy Ranger Recollections given by Joe Kelley and one of our favorite local musical duos Boogertown Gap will teach you how to Play Spoons and a Washtub Bass.

If the weather cooperates the only guided hike that looks like it will be cancelled is the one to Mount Cammerer. While most roads on the Tennessee side of the park have reopened, the Great Smoky Mountains Twitter reports many trails are very slick and icy and more cold weather and snow is on the way.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 3: Monday, January 27th 2014

• 9:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make Your Own Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 Bandannas. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Louise Bales. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 10 – 11am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Songs of the Civil War. Presented by Tony Thomas Taking place at room North 3.
• 10 – 11am: Transforming the Blue Ridge Mountains into Shenandoah National Park. Presented by Bill Deitzer Taking place at room North 2.
• 10 – 11am: Leave No Trace: The Principles of Outdoor Ethics. Presented by Mike Braun Taking place at room South 2.
• 10 – 11:30am: 10 Hints for Creating a Successful Backyard Habitat: Advice from a Lifetime Master Gardener.Limt 50 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Dr. Leo and Linda Lubke. Taking place at room South 3.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! A Cub’s Life. Presented by Kathy Sherrard of Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: Hosting Hummingbirds Video Presentation. Presented by Steve Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at room South 1.
• 10:30 – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Carving a Bear Pin. Limited to 12 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and bring your own sharpened wood carving tools. Presented by Don Taylor. Taking place at room South 4A. 11 – Noon: Wildflowers of Tennessee Video Presentation. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Meet President and Mrs. Lincoln and Civil War Ladies where Attendees may have photos taken with historical guests. Taking place at room North 3.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Putting the Pigeon Back in Pigeon Forge. Presented by Paul James of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room North 2.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Learn to Play Spoons and Washtub Bass. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at room South 2. Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Forsaken by God and Man: The Fort Loudon Story. Presented by Eric Hughey. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• Noon – 1pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Beautiful Winter Garden: Plants with Winter Interest. Presented by Sue Hamilton. Taking place at room South 1.
• Noon – 1pm: Meditations on Nature. Presented by Phylis Rollins. Taking place at room South 3.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Totally Tennessee, Part 1: A Sampler of Tennessee Trivia That’s Anything But Trivial. Presented by Kathy Gwinn. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 12:30 – 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Make a Native American Dreamcatcher. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants may choose to make a traditional or modern dreamcatcher. Presented by Sue Todd. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Civil War Guns and Surgical Display. Presented by David Clinton and 63rd Tennessee Infantry. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1 – 2pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Plants and People of the Southern Appalachians. Presented by Leon Bates. Taking place at room South 2.
• 1 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Outsmart Your Smartphone. Presented by Richard Iceland. Taking place at room North 2.
• 1 – 2:30pm: Beginning Hammer Dulcimer. Limited to 20 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and participants must bring own hammer dulcimer. Presented by Tim Simek Taking place at room South 4B.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: Everybody’s Fishin’: A Cross-Cultural Fishing Extravaganza. Presented by Doug Elliott Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: Audubon’s Birds. Presented by Stephen Lyn Bales of the Ijams Nature Center. Taking place at room South 1.
• 2 – 3pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Meet Some of Tennessee’s Most Famous Residents. Presented by Maranda and Elisa Vandergriff. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 2 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Water birds of the Southern States Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at room South 3.
• 2:30 – 3pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Limited to 20 Must pre-register at Information Desk. Fred and Ted the Fish: Keep Sevier Beautiful. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! The Battle of Fairgarden. Presented by Carroll McMahan. Taking place at room North 3.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: Wild Hog Management: Are We Too Late? Presented by David Whitehead. Taking place at room South 2.
• 3 – 4pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Moonshine in Tennessee: Stories and Songs about the Moonshine History of East Tennessee and the Moonshine Trail. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: Woodpeckers: Nature’s Homebuilders Video Presentation. Presented by Steve Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 3:30 – 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Wildflower Identification. Presented by Tom Harrington. Taking place at room South 3.
• 4 – 5pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Divided Loyalties: The Civil War in Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Dr. Aaron Astor. Taking place at room North 3.
• 4 – 5pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Mock Trial from the Past. Join a reenactment a local trial from Sevier County’s past to see how different the dockets looked in earlier times. Presented by Sevier County High School Students. Taking place at room North 2.
• 4 – 5pm: Ranger Recollections. Presented by Joe Kelley. Taking place at room South 2.
• 4 – 5pm: Special Kids Track. Batteries Not Included: Old Time Toys and Games. Presented by Mike Meldrum. Limited to 25 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: Wildwoods Wisdom: Our Spiritual Connection to Nature. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 5 – 6pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! More Trials and Tribulations of Two Professional Naturalists. Presented by David Taylor and Joe Taft. Taking place at room South 3.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Moonshining in Cocke County, TN: A Fascinating Focus of Fact vs. Fiction. Presented by J. Duay O’Neil. Taking place at room North 2.
• 5:30 – 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Ukulele for the Adult Beginner. Limited to 20, ages 13 and older so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Some instruments available though participants are encouraged to bring own. Presented by Anna Uptain. Taking place at room South 4A.
• 6 pm: Wednesday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 6 – 7pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Time Hymns and Songs of Faith. Presented by Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 7 – 8pm: Tales from Lost. Presented by Dwight McCarter. Taking place at room North 2.
• 8pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! And Heaven and Nature Sing. Presented by Ken Jenkins, Judy Felts and Friends. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Wilderness Wildlife Week Day 8 Schedule for Saturday, January 19 2013 in Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains

Sadly, today is day 8 of Wilderness Wildlife Week, the last day of this awesome program taking place in the Pigeon Forge Great Smoky Mountains. While many roads are still closed in the Great Smoky Mountains national park cancelling many of today's guided hikes, there still promises to be a good time to be had by all here at the Music Road Hotel and convention center.

Today like all the others days of the Wilderness Wildlife Week will be filled with fun like the kids Safari, Music such as the Old Time Music Concert performed by the Boogertown Gap band, history as such as The Life of Tom Sparks as told by Larry Sparks, crafts such as basket making and of course the various photography classes being given today.

• 9:00am - 10:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Take a Liken’ to Lichens. Presented by: Kris Light leading an outdoor expedition to locate lichens in their natural habitats. and taking place in the Dobro Room and outdoors. Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 25.
• 9:00am - 10:00am: The Appalachian Trail: An Entertaining Adventure Video Presentation. Presented by: Jeff Alt and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 9:00am - 10:00am: ProShowGold: Taking Your Photos and Videos to the Next Level: Harry Dunn and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 9:00am - 1:00pm: Photography Workshop. Presented by: Kendall Chiles, Don McGowan and Warren Bedell and taking place in the Violin Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: Discovering the Cumberlands Video Presentation. Presented by: Stuart Carroll and taking place in the Harp Room
• 10:15am - 11:15am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Kids Program. Get Your Kids Hiking: How to Start Them Young and Keep It Fun. Presented by: Jeff Alt and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 10:30am - 11:30am: Sanctuary: Meditations From Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: J. Greg Johnson and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 10:30am - Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: What Separates a Snapshot from a Fine Photograph and How They Are Judged. Presented by: Douglas Hubbard and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 11:00am - Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Life in Cades Cove Panel Discussion. Presented by: Ruth Caughron Davis, Lois Caughron and Dorothy Gregory Sutton and taking place in the Harp Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: Kids Program. Silly Safari Show. Presented by: Amazon John and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• Noon - 1:00pm: Wild Hog Management: Are We Too Late? Presented by: David Whitehead and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The ABCs of Bird Photography. Presented by: Weldon Lee and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Cades Cove: Sacrifice to Preservation Video Presentation. Presented by: Kate Marshall and taking place in the Harp Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: O! Possum. Presented by: Lynne McCoy and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Litter Clean Up Event: Keep Sevier Beautiful and taking place in the Breakfast Room. Help participate in an organized clean up outside around Music Road Hotel and Convention Center and learn about litter in Tennessee. Dress for being outdoors!
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Kids Program. Children’s Sing-A-Long. Presented by: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Turn Your Photography into Art. Presented by: Karen Jones and taking place in the Violin Room
• 2:00pm - 4:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Lightroom 4: Come Take a Test Drive. Presented by: Colby McLemore and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 2:15pm - 3:15pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: More About Life in Cades Cove Panel Discussion. Presented by: Bernard Myers, Judy Myers Johns and Vera Myers and taking place in the Harp Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Family Fun in the Smokies. Presented by: Katy Koontz and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 2:30pm - 5:30pm: Basket Making. Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 10. Presented by: Theresa Tyler and taking place in the Breakfast Room
• 3:00pm - 4:30pm: Old Time Music Concert. Presented by: Boogertown Gap and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 3:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Trial and Error - Fast Track to AHA! Photos in the Digital Age. Presented by: Paul Hassell and taking place in the Violin Room
• 3:00pm - 6:00pm: Photography Contest Pickup in the Cello Room
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Life of Tom Sparks. Presented by: Larry Sparks and taking place in the Harp Room
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: A Year in the Life of a Bear. Presented by: David Whitehead and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: In Search of the Winning Image. Presented by: Weldon Lee and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 5:00pm - 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Kids Program Ages 6 - 12. Limit 30 and you must pre-register at Information Desk. The Red-Headed Boogertown Bunch: A Tall Tale of the Mountains. Presented by: Mary Phillips and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 5:30pm - 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Crossfire Image Critiquing: Colby McLemore and Ron Plasencia and taking place in the Violin Room
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Building Slideshows with Your Images: Dale Knight and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 7:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Ride for the Brand Video Presentation: How Does a Cowboy Fit Into Nature? presented by: Ken Jenkins taking place in the Dobro/Harp Rooms

Remember, if you didn't make it to Wilderness Wildlife Week this year, there is always next year as this wildly popular program in the Smokies is not going to go away, so be sure to plan your winter vacation in the Smoky Mountains around this great event! Don't forget to use your discount code when renting a cabin!

Wilderness Wildlife Week Day 7 Schedule for Friday, January 18 2013 in Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains

Day 7 is the second to last day of this years Wilderness Wildlife Week program for 2013 and the winter storm which rolling into the Smokies last night has closed virtually every road in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and unless some open very shortly, sadly there will be no guided hikes today.

Though the weather is lousy right now along the Pigeon Forge Parkway, it is clear enough to be bale to make the trip to the convention center to enjoy the all the Wilderness Wildlife Week programs going on today as log as the road where you are spending the night are clear.

This is why we always suggest staying in premium accommodations where even if you rae trapped, would you rather be stuck in a hotel room with nothing to do but watch TV, or watch TV in your own living room, play pool in your own game room, surf the web with free WIFI and then go outside and take in the winter beauty with a great view while soaking in your hot tub? I thought so!

• 8:00am - 11:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Famous Searches/Rescues of the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by: Joe Kelley, Bob Swabe, Judy Wasak and Joey Holt and taking place in the Harp Room
• 8:30am - 9:30am: Kids Program. Animal Olympics. Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 25. Presented by: Mike Meldrum and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 8:30am - 10:00am: Bird Songs of the Smokies. Presented by: Mark A. Dunaway and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 9:00am - 10:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Saving the Eastern Hemlock. Presented by: Stuart Carroll and taking place in the Violin Room
• 10:00am - 11:00am: Kids Program. Let’s Make Music: Children’s Workshop. Presented by: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 10:00am - 11:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Conservation Efforts at Pogue Creek State Natural Area. Presented by: Travis Bow and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 10:15am - 11:15am: Do It Yourself: Building a Backyard Bird Habitat. Presented by: Mark A. Dunaway and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 10:30am - 11:30am: Bringing Bluebirds to Your Yard Video Presentation. Presented by: Steve Garr and taking place in the Violin Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Tennessee State Natural Areas 101 Video Presentation. Presented by: Robin Wooten as she presents Tennessee’s 82 natural areas and the ones most accessible to nature lovers. Takes place in the Dobro Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Birds and Bees of Wildflowers. Presented by: Kris Light and taking place in the Harp Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: Kids Program. Silly Safari Show. Presented by: Amazon John and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 11:45am - 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Discovering New Species in the Smokies: 922 and Counting! Presented by Todd Witcher and taking place in the Guitar Room
• Noon - 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Journey on the French Way, Spain, 2011. Presented by: Olga Pader and taking place in the Violin Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Civil War in the West, 1864. Presented by: Jack Carman and taking place in the Harp Room
• 1:00pm - 2:30pm: Our National Parks: America’s Best Idea Video Presentation. Presented by: Chuck Summers and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 1:00pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Advanced SLR Flower Photography. Presented by: Robert Hutson and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 1:00pm - 2:30pm: Learn Clawhammer Banjo, Workshop Two. Must have attended Thursday workshop and bring own five (5) string banjo tuned in the key of G and you must pre-register at Information Desk as there is a limit of 10 people. Presented by: Boogertown Gap and taking place in the Breakfast Room
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Kids Program and you must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 30. Fred the Fish: Keep Sevierville Beautiful and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm: The Amazing Diversity of Fall Creek Falls State Park Video Presentation. Presented by: Stuart Carroll and taking place in the Violin Room
• 2:30pm - 4:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: They Road into History. Presented by: Kathy Gwinn who will cover the development of America’s earliest transportation routes, as well as why they were made and who used them. Takes place in the Harp Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Lakes, Lighthouses and Landscapes of the North Woods. Presented by: Kendall Chiles and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: My African Adventure with Earthwatch. Presented by: Kathy Sherrard and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 3:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Basic Watercolor. Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit of 12. Presented by: Louise Bales and taking place in the Breakfast Room
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: Challenger Opens Doors. Presented by: Bob Hatcher in the Violin/Guitar Rooms
• 4:00pm - 5:30pm: Walking in the Beauty of the Natural World Video Presentation. Presented by: Don McGowan and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 4:30pm - 5:00pm: Birds of Prey - Live Eagles! Presented by: American Eagle Foundation taking place in the Violin/Guitar Rooms
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Wicked Weeds: Deadly Weeds and Their History. Presented by: Theresa Williams and Elizabeth Ballard and taking place in the Harp Room
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Using Alternative Photo Editing Programs. Presented by: Dale Knight and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: My Favorite Smoky Mountain Birds Video Presentation. Presented by: Dr. Fred Alsop and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Quill Pens and Handmade Inks: Adults and Children ages 12+. Limit 15 and you must pre-register at Information Desk. Presented by Pat K. Thomas and taking place in the Breakfast Room
• 5:30pm - 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Lords of Nature: Life in a Land of Great Predators: Cougar Rewilding Foundation Video Presentation with Panel Discussion(Panel Discussion with Christopher Spatz, Ben Shrader, Dr. John Laundre, Dr. Ron Sutherland and Helen McGinnis) and taking place in the Violin Room
• 6:15pm - 7:15pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Trekking Planet Earth in Search of Wildlife Video Presentation. Presented by: Weldon Lee taking place in the Dobro/Harp Rooms
• 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Living Desert Video Presentation. Presented by: Chuck Summers taking place in the Dobro/Harp Rooms
• 7:30pm: Slow Jam: Bring Your Own Instrument or Simply Plan to Enjoy and Listen. Presented by: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson and taking place in the Guitar Room

Next year Wilderness Wildlife week will be taking place later in the month so we hope these weather issues won't occur again.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Day 6 Schedule for Thursday, January 17 2013 in Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains

As day 6 of Wilderness Wildlife Week is about to start in Pigeon Forge, many roads within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park still remain closed due to high water. Fortunately, none of these closures should affect any of the guided hikes today.

Today is yet another jam packed day with great Wilderness Wildlife Week calluses and demonstrations and the top 3 we recommend today are: Wendell Liemohn disusing Three Must Considerations for Hiking Safety, Black Bear Management in Great Smoky Mountains National Park presented by park ranger Bill Stiver and Old Hymns and Songs of Faith presented by the Whaley Family Singers.

A winter storm warning is in effect so you may get a chance to see some more white stuff high up top on the Great Smoky Mountains!

• 8:00am - 11:00am: Introduction to Tracking People in the Outdoors. Presented by: Joe Kelley and taking place in the Harp Room
• 8:30am - 9:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Pack a Wagon for the journey west to the Smokies and must make the hard decision of what to take and what to leave behind. Presented by: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and taking place in the Violin Room
• 8:30am - 9:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Three Must Considerations for Hiking Safety. Presented by: Wendell Liemohn and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 9:00am - 9:30am: Water Quality and Its Effects on the Biota and People of Our Area. Presented by: Matt Kulp and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: Nature Recording in the Smokies. Presented by: Mark A. Dunaway and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 10:00am - 11:00am: Arches Along the Way: A Presentation of Arches and Natural Bridges Along Tennessee’s Trails. Presented by: Keith Garnes and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 10:00am - 11:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The People Who Shaped Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Bill Deitzer and taking place in the Violin Room
• 10:00am - 11:30am: Wolves of Bays Mountain. Presented by: Rhonda and Rick Goins and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 11:00am - Noon: Flying Bullets and the Resplendent Badge. Presented by: Ersa Rhea Noland Smith as she shares riveting stories about her father Sheriff Ray C. Noland’s years in office in Sevier County. Takes place in the Ukulele Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: Kids Program. Photography for Kids and Parents. Presented by: Jim Eastin and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: America’s Newest Long Distance Trail: The Great Eastern Trail. Presented by: Warren Devine and taking place in the Harp Room
• 11:30am - 1:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Journey on the Camino Primitivo, Spain, 2010: Olga Pader and taking place in the Violin Room
• Noon - 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: What Separates a Snapshot from a Fine Photograph and How They Are Judged: Douglas Hubbard and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: The Story of Appalachian Bear Rescue: Who We Are: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Orioles: Spring and Summer Video Presentation: Regina Garr and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 1:00pm - 2:30pm: Civil War in the West, 1863: Jack Carman and taking place in the Harp Room
• 1:00pm - 2:30pm: Learn Clawhammer Banjo, Workshop One. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Must bring own five (5) string banjo tuned in the key of G and since there is a limit of 10, pre-register at Information Desk. Takes place in the Breakfast Room
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: European Explorations Video Presentation. Presented by: Sharon and Brad Cottrell and taking place in the Violin Room. Join them as they present photos from 21 European countries taken over a 91-day trip to Europe using 28 different modes of transportation.
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Lost Attractions of Sevier County. Presented by: Tim Hollis and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm: Kids Program. Wild Wonders. Presented by: Knoxville Zoo's Animals in Action Show and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Point and Shoot Flower Photography. Presented by: Robert Hutson and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Anchors Aweigh in the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by: Tom Harrington and taking place in the Harp Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Wildlife on White: The Story Behind the Global "Meet Your Neighbors" Project: Paul Hassell and taking place in the Violin Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Kids Program. Limit 20. Must pre-register at Information Desk. Learning About Black Bears. Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard and taking place in the Breakfast Room
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Cool Gadgets for Tech Savvy Hikers. Presented by: Jim Richards and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 3:30pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Memories of the Old Country Store. Presented by: Kathy Gwinn and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Special Places, Special Creatures. Presented by: Joel and Kathy Zachry and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: Black Bear Management in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Bill Stiver and taking place in the Harp Room
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: Old Time Hymns. Presented by: Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton and taking place in the Violin Room
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: Kids Program. Whooo Did This? Fascinating Owls. Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 20. Presented by: Lynne McCoy and taking place in the Breakfast Room
• 5:00pm - 7:00pm: My Experience Through-Hiking the Appalachian Trail Video Presentation. Presented by: Bert Kunze and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Bears, Boars and Bulls: A Wild Life in the Smokies! Presented by: Kim Delozier and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Rocky Mountain High: Life on the Edge Video Presentation. Presented by: Weldon Lee taking place in the Dobro/Harp Rooms
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm: Old Hymns and Songs of Faith. Presented by: Whaley Family Singers and taking place in the Violin Room
• 6:00pm: Saturday Hike Signups taking place at the Holiday Inn Express
• 7:15pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Spiritual Lessons from Nature. Presented by: Chuck Summers and Ken Jenkins taking place in the Dobro/Harp Rooms
• 7:30pm: Slow Jam: Bring Your Own Instrument or Simply Plan to Enjoy and Listen. Presented by: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson and taking place in the Guitar Room

Wilderness Wildlife Week Day 5 Schedule for Wednesday, January 16 2013 in Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains

As day 5 of Wilderness Wildlife Week begins, the effects of the past few days rain has forced the cancellation of some of the guided hikes and bus trips into Cades Cove, but there is still plenty to see and do inside the Music Road Hotel and Convention center where lost of demonstrations and classes take place.

Now that the rain is going to slow down, a winter storm watch is in effect until 10 pm tomorrow night so expect to be able to see some snow high up on the peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Programs to try not to miss today will be Volunteering in Great Smoky Mountains National Park which will be presented by Christine Hoyer the new volunteer coordinator, Creative Photo Editing Made Easy presented by Richard Iceland and The Story of Pittman Center presented by former park ranger and Mayor Glenn Cardwell.

• 9:00am - 10:00am: The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Gift? Presented by: Charlie Monday and taking place in the Harp Room. Limit of 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk.
• 9:00am - 10:00am: Returning the Whooping Crane as a Nesting Species in the United States. Presented by: Ken Dubke and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 9:00am - 10:30am: Civil War in the West, 1862. Presented by: Jack Carman and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Mountain Chores. Participants have an opportunity to experience how families took care of the home place. Chores include gathering wood, collecting eggs and sweeping the cabin floor. Come dressed to "work"! Presented by: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: Energy, Effort and Passion: Volunteering in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Christine Hoyer and taking place in the Violin Room
• 10:30am - 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: "Heavens to Betsy" It’s a Whole "Kit and Kaboodle" of Expressions Bound to Make You "Crack a Smile". Presented by: Kathy Gwinnand taking place in the Harp Room
• 10:30am - 11:30am: Selective Bird Feeding Video Presentation. Presented by: Regina Garr and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 11:00am - Noon: The Spirits of Cades Cove Video Presentation. Presented by: Mike Meldrum and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 11:00am - Noon: Carolina Bluegrass Boys and Appalachian Cloggers taking place in the Violin/Guitar Rooms
• Noon - 1:00pm: Wildflowers of Tennessee Video Presentation. Presented by: Jack Carman and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Learn to Play the Spoons and Washtub Bass. Presented by: Boogertown Gap and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Air Quality Update at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Jim Renfro and taking place in the Harp Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Old Time Banjo and Fiddle. Presented by: Roger Helton and taking place in the Violin Room
• 1:00pm - 3:00pm: Creative Photo Editing Made Easy. Presented by: Richard Iceland and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 1:00pm - 3:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: History of Pigeon Forge Bus Tour. Presented by: Jane Scott. Limit 20 and you must Pre-register at Information Desk and meet at Information Desk at 12:50pm.
• 1:00pm - 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Carving a Dogwood Friendship Spoon, Session Two. Presented by: Don Taylor and taking place in the Breakfast Room. Must sign up and attend both sessions and pre-register at Information Desk.
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Gift? Presented by: Charlie Monday and taking place in the Ukulele Room. Limit of 30 so you must pre-register at Information Desk.
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Story of Pittman Center. Presented by: Glenn Cardwell and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: Putting the Pigeon Back in Pigeon Forge. Presented by: Paul James and taking place in the Harp Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: The Music of Appalachia: Past and Present. Presented by: Lost Mill String Band and taking place in the Violin Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: A Ranger Family’s Recollections. Presented by: Joe Kelley with his sons Nelson, Kevin and Travis Kelley and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Images and History of Sevierville. Take a step back in time as Carroll discusses the history of Sevierville. Presented by: Carroll McMahan and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Watching Wandering Wildlife. Presented by: W.C. and Glenna Julian and taking place in the Harp Room
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: Songs of the Carter Family. Presented by: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson and taking place in the Violin Room
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Playing Music by Ear. Presented by: Tim Simek and taking place in the Breakfast Room. Must bring own instruments and pre-register at Information Desk. Limit of 20 people.
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Mock Trial from the Past: Sevier County High School students will reenact a local trial from Sevier County’s past to illustrate how the judicial system worked in early courthouse history while the case will portray those of that bygone era. Taking place in the Guitar Room
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: Wild Ones Among Us. Presented by: Lynne McCoy and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 5:00pm - 6:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Vintage Views Video Presentation: A Collection of Old Film and Photos from Around the Great Smoky Mountains area. Presented by: Kevin Tierney and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Carolina Bluegrass Boys and Appalachian Cloggers taking place in the Violin/Guitar Rooms
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Kids Program. Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 25. The Blue and the Grey: Learn About Life as a Soldier During the Civil War. Presented by: Mike Meldrum and taking place in the Breakfast Room
• 6:00pm: Friday Hike Signups taking place at the Holiday Inn Express
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Let’s Meander: Continuing the Meanderings of a Silly Man. Presented by: Doug Mills taking place in the Dobro/Harp/Ukulele Rooms
• 7:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures. Presented by: Bill Landry taking place in the Dobro/Harp/Ukulele Rooms

Wilderness Wildlife Week Day 4 Schedule for Tuesday, January 15 2013 in Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains

It is now day 4 of the Smoky Mountains Wilderness Wildlife Week taking place in Pigeon Forge Tennessee and boy is there a packed schedule, although the weather and road conditions are not cooperating so some of the hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains national park may have to be cancelled.

For example, as per the Great Smoky Mountains national park twitter feed @GSMNP, Upper Tremont Road is closed to all traffic due to high water as well as Sparks Lane and Forge Creek Road in Cades Cove.

Even if you can only stay inside today, today is a great day to be inside in the Smokies as Wilderness Wildlife Week continues is the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center.

• 8:30am - 9:30am: Green Power Switch / Generation Partners: Lucas Harkleroad and taking place in the Harp Room
• 9:00am - 9:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Wiley Oakley Portrayal. Presented by: Tyler W. King who will share his love of mountain heritage through the stories of Smoky Mountain Guide, Wiley Oakley. Taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 9:00am - 10:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Good News! 40 Years with Tennessee Nesting Osprey. Presented by: Ken Dubke and taking place in the Violin Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: 2012 Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. Presented by: Bill Deitzer and Bob Turney and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: Mountain Marvels: Waterfalls of the Southern Appalachians Slide Presentation (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky). Presented by: Bill Carter and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 10:00am - 11:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: It’s Puppy Time: Bays Mountain Cubs. Presented by: Rhonda and Rick Goins and taking place in the Harp Room
• 10:00am - 11:00am: Mr. Herbert Clabo Tells Stories of Old Gatlinburg. Presented by: Herbert Clabo with Veta King and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 10:30am - 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Garden Unseen Video Presentation. Presented by: Dr. Alan S. Heilman and taking place in the Violin Room
• 11:00am - Noon: Kids Program. Wild World of Animals. Presented by: Knoxville Zoo's Zoomobileand taking place in the Dobro Room
• 11:00am - 1:00pm: Digital and Film Photography: How to Shoot Like a Pro: Richard Iceland and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Gift?. Presented by: Charlie Monday and taking place in the Harp Room. Since there is a limit of 30, you must pre-register at Information Desk.
• Noon - 1:00pm: Meditations on Nature. Presented by: Phylis Rollins and taking place in the Violin Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Meet Some of East Tennessee’s Most Famous Residents. Presented by: Maranda and Elisa Vandergriff and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Old Time Dessert Tasting Event. Lifelong residents of the Great Smoky Mountains area will prepare some of their favorite old time family desserts for guests to sample including cobblers, stack cakes, pies, molasses cookies and more!Presented by: Veta King and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 1:00pm - 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Carving a Dogwood Friendship Spoon, Session One. Presented by: Don Taylor and taking place in the Breakfast Room. You must pre-register at Information Desk as there is a limit and 10 and you must sign up and attend both sessions. All registrants must bring own sharpened woodcarving tools.
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: Leave No Trace: The Rules and Regulations of Backpacking and Leave No Trace Guidelines. Presented by: Mike Braun and Pamela Rodgers and taking place in the Harp Room
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: 60 Years of Fun at Bays Mountain. Presented by: Joe Taft and David Taylor and taking place in the Violin Room
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: National Wildlife Refuges in Tennessee. Presented by: Jim Wigginton and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: Civil War in the West, 1861. Presented by: Jack Carman and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: The Trail of Tears and the Cherokee in the Great Smoky Mountains (Before and After the Removal). Presented by: Jon Elder and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: How to Get Eaten by a Bear. Presented by: Joel and Kathy Zachry and taking place in the Harp Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Identifying Local Birds of Prey. Presented by: Stephen Lyn Bales and taking place in the Violin Room
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program for Adults and ages 12+ only: Intro to Beginning Bluegrass Dancing. Presented by: Jack and Doris Parton and taking place in the Guitar Room. You must pre-register at Information Desk as there is a Limit of 40.
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Growing Mealworms for Backyard Birds Video Presentation. Presented by: Steve Garr and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Iron Works and the Forge - Pigeon Forge’s Namesake. Presented by: Jerry Wear who will discuss the manufacturing of iron in Pigeon Forge around 1820. Takes place in the Ukulele Room.
• 4:00pm - 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Intermediate / Advanced Mountain Dulcimer. Presented by: Tim Simek and taking place in the Breakfast Room. You must bring own instruments and pre-register at Information Desk nice there is a limit of 10.
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Guarding the President: NPS Special Events Team, 1970s. Presented by: Joe Kelley and taking place in the Harp Room
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Photographic Fundamentals: From Composition to Proper Exposure and Everything in Between. Presented by: Daniel Dempster and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 6:00pm: Thursday Hike Signups taking place at the Holiday Inn Express
• 7:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: America’s Favorite Drive: The Blue Ridge Parkway. Presented by: Charles Maynard - taking place in the Dobro/Harp Rooms

APPALACHIAFEST!
A Free Musical Celebration of Our Heritage! Taking place in the Violin/Guitar Rooms

• 5:00pm - 6:30pm: Smoky Mountain Inhabitants and Their Music presented by the Boogertown Gap
• 6:45pm - 7:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Of Home and Hearth presented by Hills-N-Hollows
• 8:00pm: Carolina Bluegrass Boys with clogging from the Appalachian Cloggers. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

Wilderness Wildlife Week Day 3 Schedule for January 14 2013 in Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains

As day 3 of Wilderness Wildlife Week starts, many of us are looking to the skies as though the past few days were unseasonably warm, today an aerial flood watch is in effect which could be an issue for some of the free guided hikes today in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Even if you decide not to hike, or the hike is called off, there is lost to see and so inside in the comfort of the Music Row Hotel when the free demonstrations and classes take place.

Some of the Wilderness Wildlife week classes we strongly recommend today are: Black Bear Ecology presented by Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard, taking better wildflower pictures presented by Bob Stephenson, and the Burns of Cades Cove Video Presentation presented by Alice Beers a local passionate about Cades Cove. If you visit Cades Cove often, you have seen Alice filming bear, deer and other wildlife.

• 9:00am - 10:00am: Wonderful Waterfalls of Tennessee Slide Presentation. Presented by: Bill Carter and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 9:00am - Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Printing Your Photography and Artwork. Presented by: Dick Ensing and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: 10 Hints for Creating a Successful Backyard Habitat - Advice from a Lifetime Master Gardener. Presented by: Dr. Leo Lubke and Linda Lubke and taking place in the Harp Room but you must pre-register at Information Desk as there is a Limit 25.
• 10:00am - 11:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Civilian Conservation Corps: FDR’s "Tree Army". Presented by: Bill Deitzer who will discuss the legacy of this corps of young men from the 1930s who built several of America’s national parks, including Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks. Takes place in the Dobro Room
• 10:00am - 11:00am: Hosting Hummingbirds Video Presentation. Presented by: Regina Garr and taking place in the Violin Room
• 10:30am - Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: By George, What A Family!. Presented by: Kathy Gwinn and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: Learn to Play Washboard and Washtub Base. Presented by: Boogertown Gap and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: Black Bear Ecology. Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard and taking place in the Harp Room
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: Wildflowers of the Smokies Video Presentation. Presented by: Jack Carman and taking place in the Violin Room
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Story of Greenbrier Cove. Presented by: Glenn Cardwell and taking place in the Ukulele Room (highly recommended)
• 12:30pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Prescribed Burns of Cades Cove Video Presentation. Presented by: Alice Beers and taking place in the Guitar Room (highly recommended)
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Old Time Music and Instruments. Presented by: Roger Helton and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Invasive Exotic Plants: Making Intelligent Landscaping Choices. Presented by: Kristine Johnson and taking place in the Harp Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Bird’s the Word: Bird Stories, Songs, Lore and Natural History. Presented by: Doug Elliott and taking place in the Violin Room
• 1:00pm - 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Beginning Hammer Dulcimer. Presented by: Tim Simek. Must bring own instruments and pre-register at the Information Desk as there is a Limit of 10 people. Takes place in the Breakfast Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: Introduction to the Autoharp: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: Wild Hog Management in the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by: Jay Carr and taking place in the Harp Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Goldfinches and Cardinals: Bring Some Color to Your Bird Feeders. Presented by: Steve Garr and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 2:30pm - 3:30pm: John James Audubon’s "The Birds of America". Presented by: Stephen Lyn Bales and taking place in the Violin Room
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Tennessee Butterflies and How to Raise Them. Presented by: Lois English and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 3:00pm - 6:00pm: Basket Making. Presented by: Theresa Tyler and taking place in the Breakfast Room. As there is a limit of 10 you must pre-register at the Information Desk
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Broken Lives in a Broken County: The Civil War in Cocke County. Presented by: J. Duay O’Neil and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Makin’s of Granny. Presented by: Theresa Williams who will tell of her experiences playing Granny Lydia in the Store Britches play. Takes place in the Harp Room
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: Ranger Recollections. Presented by: Joe Kelley and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Being Bear Smart Video Presentation. Presented by: Kate Marshall and taking place in the Violin Room
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: What’s in My Pack?: The Fundamentals of Lightweight Backpacking. Presented by: NOC Gatlinburg and Backpacking Light and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Of Ginseng, Golden Apples and the Rainbow Fish: Ancient Tales and a Modern Mythic Adventure. Presented by: Doug Elliott and taking place in the Dobro/Harp Rooms
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Be Careful Out There: Hazards in the Outdoors. Presented by: Joe Taft and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Taking Better Wildflower Pictures. Presented by: Bob Stephenson and taking place in the Violin Room
• 6:00pm: Wednesday Hike Signups taking place at the Holiday Inn Express
• 6:00pm - 7:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Appalachian Mountain Beauty and Scottish Highland Video Presentation Tour. Presented by: Daniel and Denise Dempster and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: And Heaven and Nature Sing. Presented by: Ken Jenkins, Judy Felts and Friends taking place in the Dobro/Harp/Ukulele Rooms

Day 2 Sunday Schedule for 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains

Day 1 of the Wilderness Wildlife Week was a huge success with a large attendance helped by the fact that the weather didn't prevent anyone form coming as it had in years past.

Todays program will all also take place at Music Road Hotel and Convention Center at 303 Henderson Chapel Road in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The information desk will be open from 7:00am to 9:00pm, the Vendor and Exhibit Hall from 9:00am to 6:00pm and you can see the Photography Exhibit in the Cello Room from 9:00am until 6:00pm.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Program Day 2 Sunday Jan 13th 2013

• 9:00am - 10:00am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Nature Photography: From the Mountains to the Sea. Presented by: Tom and Pat Cory and taking place in the Dobro Room.
• 9:00am - 10:00am: Sunday Morning Sing-A-Long. Presented by: Tony Thomas and taking place in the Violin Room
• 9:00am - 11:00am: World Class Stream Smallmouth Bass. Presented by: Greg Ward and taking place in the Harp Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: Marking Time: A Guide to Historical Markers in East Tennessee. Presented by: Fred Brown and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 9:30am - 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: A Smokies Murder Mystery: "Murder at the Jumpoff". Presented by: Jenny Bennett and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 10:30am - 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Learning to See Photographically. Presented by: Bill Fortney and taking place in the Dobro Room
• 10:30am - 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Amazing Bears. Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard and taking place in the Violin Room. Strongly suggest this program!
• 11:00am - Noon: Across the Alps: Italy to Austria Video Presentation. Presented by: Peter and Gudrun Seifert and taking place in the Ukulele Room.
• 11:00am - Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Seasons on the Trail: Hiking Through Nature’s Bounty. Presented by: Ila Hatter and taking place in the Guitar Room.
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines of the Southern Appalachians. Presented by: Leon Bates and taking place in the Harp Room.
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Groundhogology: Of Whistlepigs and World Politics. Presented by: Doug Elliott and taking place in the Dobro Room. Doug tells through traditional songs, mountain dialects and lively harmonica riffs how groundhogs have been a source of food, clothing, medicine and music for Appalachian folks for generations.
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Chickadee the Bringer of Truth. Presented by: Stephen Lyn Bales will discuss 20 plants and animals important to the Native Americans of the Tennessee Valley. Takes place in the Ukulele Room.
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Kids Program: Kiddin’ Around: A Concert for Kids of All Ages. Presented by: Lost Mill String Band and taking place in the Violin Room
• 1:00pm - 1:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Smoky Mountain Llama Treks and Hiking with Llamas in the Smokies. Presented by: Steve Garrett and taking place in the Harp Room
• 1:00pm - 2:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Africa: A Wildlife Photographer’s Dream Trip. Presented by: Harry Dunn and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 1:00pm - 3:30pm: Casting a Fly Rod. Presented by: Greg Ward and taking place in the Breakfast Room. Bring your own rod if possible.
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Smoky Mountain Bears, Whitetails and Wildflowers Video Presentation. Presented by: Kate Marshall and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 2:00pm - 3:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Preaching the Glory Down. Presented by: Hills-N-Hollows and taking place in the Violin Room
• 2:00pm - 3:30pm: Old Harp Singing. A group of area shaped-note singers will sing traditional songs which were taught in music schools in the early 1900s in the Great Smoky Mountains area. Presented by: David Sarten in the Dobro/Harp Rooms
• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen. Presented by: Rosemary Deitzer and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream. Presented by: Carroll McMahan with Stan Creswell, Frank Maples, Coppley Vickers and John Cotter and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 3:30pm - 4:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Smoky Mountain Ballads, Part Two. Presented by: Boogertown Gap and taking place in the Violin Room.
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Advanced Possumology: Songs, Stories, Lore and More About the Possum. Presented by: Doug Elliott in the Dobro/Harp Rooms
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Kids Program. Learning About Black Bears: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard and taking place in the Breakfast Room but you must pre-register at Information Desk as there is a Limit 20.
• 4:30pm - 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Characters Met While Hiking the Appalachian Trail. Presented by: Joel and Kathy Zachry and taking place in the Guitar Room
• 5:00pm - 6:00pm: The Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier. Presented by: Robin Goddard and taking place in the Ukulele Room
• 5:00pm - 6:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Explorers of the Smokies in the 1920s. Presented by: Paul James and taking place in the Violin Room
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Kids Program Ages 8 - 12. Quill Pens and Homemade Ink. Presented by: Pat K. Thomas and taking place in the Breakfast Room. Since there is a limit of 15, you must pre-register at Information Desk
• 5:30pm - 6:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Old Time String Band and The Sound of Days Gone. Presented by: Tony Thomas and Friends in the Dobro/Harp Rooms
• 6:00pm: Tuesday Hike Signups at the Holiday Inn Express
• 6:00pm-6:45pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Knoxville Tennessee Pastor a Titanic Hero taking place in the Guitar Room
• 7:00pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program: Being Open to New Beauty. Presented by: Ken Jenkins in the Dobro/Harp Rooms.
• 7:30pm: Slow Jam: Bring Your Own Instrument or Simply Plan to Enjoy and Listen. Presented by: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson and taking place in the Guitar Room

Want to stay longer than your original cabin rental reservation so you can stay longer? Ask about a last minute discount and adding onto your original stay!

Wilderness Wildlife Week Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains Schedule for 2013

Every year one the most popular events that takes during Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge are the guided hikes that take place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

These guided hikes fill up fast and you must preregister at the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center the day before hand and the number of hikers permitted may change due to availability of transportation. Hike may also be cancelled due to bad weather.

Sunday, January 13, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 6:00am - Noon Cades Cove Photo Trek led by Dempster via Bus (Easy)
• 7:30am - 2:00pm Original Road to Walker Sisters led by Snyder: 5 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 7:30am - 4:30pm Little River/Goshen Prong/Cucumber Gap led by Owen: 9.5 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 8:00am - 4:00pm A.T. / Road Prong led by Lloyd: 7.2 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 9:30am - 4:30pm Middle Prong led by Teague: 7 miles long rated Moderate
• 10:00am - 5:00pm Albright Grove led by McFarland: 7.5 miles long rated Moderate
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm Owl Prowl led by Garr via Bus (Easy)

Monday, January 14, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:00am - 1:00pm History of Cades Cove led by Iceland via Bus (Easy)
• 7:00am - 3:00pm Finley Cane / West Prong led by Luckett: 6 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 8:00am - 3:30pm Greenbrier - Off Trail led by McFarland: 8 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 8:00am - 5:00pm Rhododendron Creek led by Duncan: 7 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 8:30am - 4:00pm White Oak Sinks led by Domingue: 5 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 8:30am - 4:00pm School House Gap led by Zachry: 5 miles long rated Moderate
• 10:00am - 4:00pm Huskey Gap / Sugarland Mountain led by Owen: 5.1 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm Owl Prowl led by Garr via Bus (Easy)

Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:30am - 4:00pm Mt. Cammerer led by Maynard: 11 miles long rated Strenuous
• 7:30am - 4:30pm Meigs Mountain / Lumber Ridge led by Owen: 10.8 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 8:30am - 2:30pm Cades Cove led by Snyder via Bus (Easy)
• 10:00am - 2:00pm Injun Creek led by Cardwell: 2 miles long rated Easy
• 10:00am - 3:30pm Jakes Creek / Avent Cabin led by Jenkins: 3 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 10:00am - 3:30pm Little River led by McFarland: 6 miles long rated Easy Moderate

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:00am - Noon Cades Cove Photo Shoot led by McLemore via Bus rated Easy Moderate
• 7:30am – 1:00pm Abrams Falls led by Owen: 5 miles long rated Easy
• 7:30am - 5:00pm Blanket Mountain led by Doughty: 8 miles long rated Strenuous
• 8:00am - 5:30pm Albright Grove led by Voorhis: 7 miles long rated Moderate
• 8:30am - 1:00pm Elkmont Historic District led by Dietzer: 4 miles long rated Easy
• 8:30am - 3:00pm Old Sugarlands Trail led by McFarland: 6.5 miles long rated Moderate
• 10:00am - 4:00pm Llama Hike led by Garrett: 4 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 11:30am - 5:30pm Bus Tour of Cades Cove led by Harrington via Bus rated Easy

Thursday, January 17, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:30 am – 3:00 pm Laurel Falls/Little Greenbrier led by Domingue: 7.4 miles long rated Moderate
• 8:00am - 2:00pm Rainbow Falls led by McFarland: 6 miles long rated Moderate
• 9:00am - 3:00pm Round Top - Off Trail led by Snyder: 3.5 miles long rated Easy
• 10:00am -1:30pm Old Elkmont Town led by Cardwell: 1 mile long rated Easy
• 10:00am - 3:30pm Cucumber Gap / Little River led by Luckett: 6 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm Owl Prowl led by Garr via Bus (Easy)

Friday, January 18, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 7:00am - Noon Cades Cove Photo Shoot McLemore via Bus rated Easy Moderate
• 8:00am - 2:30pm Meigs Mountain. - Off Trail led by Snyder: 5 miles long rated Moderate
• 8:00am - 4:00pm Little River / Huskey Gap led by Zachry: 6.8 miles long rated Moderate
• 8:00am - 5:30pm Miry Ridge led by Whitted: 8.4 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 10:00am - 5:00pm Barnes Sisters led by Duncan: 5 miles long rated Moderate Strenuous
• 10:00am - 5:00pm Llama Hike led by Garrett: 4 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 6:00pm - 9:00pm Owl Prowl led by Garr via Bus (Easy)

Saturday, January 19, 2013 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• 8:00am - 3:30pm Birding in Cades Cove led by Alsop: 3 miles long rated Easy Moderate
• 10:00am - 4:30pm Albright Grove led by Maynard: 7 miles long rated Moderate
• 10:15am - 2:30pm Bus Tour to Cosby led by Cardwell via Bus (Easy)

Nothing better after a long hike than some private time in your cabins hot tub!

Wilderness Wildlife Week Day 8 Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Quite cold on the last day of Wilderness Wildlife Week taking place in the Pigeon Forge Smoky Mountains, but that should not stop you from having a great time for free.

Some specials treats today include local commercial and landscape photographer Eric Gebhart will be offering a class on Macro for beginners and Kris H. Light will be presenting a class on Snowflake Photography.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Information Desk is open from 7:00 am – 9:00 pm and the Vendor/Exhibit Hall is open from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. The Cello Room Photography Exhibit is open from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. 2nd Annual SMOKIES THROUGH THE LENS will take place in the Violin and Guitar Rooms from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. Photography Contest Pickup in the Cello Room: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm.

Todays schedule will be:

• 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: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Macro Photography for Beginners. Presented by: Eric Gebhart in the Guitar Room.
• 9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Nature Photography and Creativity Workshop. Presented by: Kendall Chiles, Don McGowan and Warren Bedell in the Violin Room.
• 9:30 am – 10:30 am: Wild Hog Management: Are We Too Late? Presented by: David Whitehead in the Harp Room.
• 10:00 am – 11:00 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Weather Signs. Presented by: Ila Hatter in the Ukelele Room. Program centers on knowing how to "read the signs" for a change in weather. Very useful for hikers and campers.
• 10:15 am – 11:15 am: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. The Smoky Mountain Adventures of Bubba Jones. Presented by: Jeff Alt in the Dobro Room. A fun and interactive program for both kids and parents packed with expert hiking and camping tips.
• 10:30 am – 11:00 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Jewels from the Sky: Snowflake Photography. Presented by: Kris H. Light in the Guitar Room.
• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Editing Strategies: Taking Control of Your Photo Viewer’s Attention Through Photo Editing. Presented by: Colby McLemore in the Guitar Room.
• 11:30 am – 1:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Journey on the Camino de Santiago, Spain: Olga Pader in the Ukelele Room. The Camino de Santiago has attracted pilgrims since the Middle Ages on a journey through space and time culminating in the cathedral in the city of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino meanders through mountains, forests, ancient villages, modern cities, as well as Roman and Celtic ruins, all the way to Finisterre, the end of the medieval Earth on the Atlantic Ocean.
• 11:45 am – 12:45 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Silly Safari Show. Presented by: Amazon John in the Dobro/Harp Rooms.
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Adobe Lightroom: Easy-To-Learn Editing Software that Can Dramatically Improve Your Photos. Presented by: Colby McLemore in the Guitar Room.
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Ages 10 and under. Young Artists’ Coloring Session. Presented by: Louise Bales in the Breakfast Room. Limit 20. Must pre-register at Information Desk.
• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Highpointing the U.S.: The Highest Points in the 50 States. Presented by: Stoney Burke in the Harp Room.
• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. That Magnificent Army of Youth and Peace: The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Harley E. Jolly and Stuart Jolley in the Ukelele Room.
• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Photoshop Tips and Tricks for Nature Photographers. Presented by: Larry Perry in the Violin Room.
• 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Out of the Dark: A True History of the White Caps and Blue Bills: At Last This Long Repressed History of Outrageous Depravity and Unsurpassed Heroism in This Region’s History Can Be Talked About in Public. Presented by: Don Williams in the Dobro Room.
• 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. ProShowGold: Taking Your Photos and Videos to the Next Level. Presented by: Harry Dunn in the Guitar Room.
• 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Hands-On History: Let’s Make Toys!. Presented by: Pat K. Thomas in the Breakfast Room. Limit 12. Must pre-register at Information Desk.
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Civil War in the West, 1863. Presented by: Jack Carman in the Harp Room.
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Hug A Tree and Survive. Presented by: Joey Holt in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Photography on the Go: Your Traveling Photography Kit. Presented by: Jan Rhodes in the Violin Room.
• 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Photography Contest Pickup in the Cello Room.
• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Learn to Play the Spoons, Fiddlesticks and Washtub Bass. Presented by: Boogertown Gap in the Dobro Room.
• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Photography for Kids and Parents: Jim Eastin in the Guitar Room.
• 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Stichin’ and Laughin’ with the Quiltin’ Granny. Presented by: Sabrina Gray in the Breakfast Room. Limit 20: Children Ages 6 – 10 Parental Guidance Required. Must pre-register at Information Desk.
• First 30 minutes of class features the Quiltin’ Granny relating historical and humorous quilting stories and songs. The following hour consists of a take-home project of making a quilt piece. Adults welcome for first 30 minutes of program.
• 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Purple Martins and Other Native Swallows. Presented by: Steve Garr in the Harp Room.
• 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: A Year in the Life of a Bear. Presented by: David Whitehead in the Ukelele Room.
• 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Intermediate Photography: Pushing from Snapshots to More Complex Shots. Presented by: Eric Gebhart in the Violin Room.
• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Songs of the Carter Family. Presented by: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson in the Dobro Room.
• 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Create A Photo Slideshow in 15 Minutes for FREE!. Presented by: Jim Eastin in the Guitar Room.
• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Composing Like A Master. Presented by: Ron Plasencia in the Violin Room.
• 7:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Impact of a Beautiful Scene. Presented by: Ken Jenkins in the Dobro/Harp Rooms.

Day 7 of the Wilderness Wildlife Week programs in Pigeon Forge on Friday, January 13th, 2012

Snow! Coming in from out of town to participate in Wilderness Wildlife Week taking place in Pigeon Forge Tennessee? Well avoid US 441 Newfound Gap Road which is closed due to snow and ice on the roadway.

A winter advisory is still in effect today until noon that should not stop you from enjoying the Wilderness Wildlife Week indoor programs even if you do not like hiking in snow. It is possible that some guided hikes will be cancelled today.

Must see events today include Robert Redhawk Eldridge presenting the History of the Overhill Cherokee from 1770 - 1838, Todd Witcher from Discover Life in America teaching about The Smokies All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory Project and photographer Don McGowan lecture and presentation on Walking in the Beauty of the Natural World.

Information Desk is open from 7:00 am – 9:00 pm and the Vendor/Exhibit Hall is open from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. The Cello Room Photography Exhibit is open from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

• 7:00 am – 11:00 am: Managing the Search Function: Study Some of the Smokies Most Famous Search and Rescue Operations. Presented by: Joe Kelley and Bob Swabe in the Guitar Room.
• 8:30 am – 9:30 am: The Amazing Diversity of Fall Creek Falls State Park. Presented by: Stuart Carroll in the Harp Room. Located over on the Cumberland Plateau, Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s most beautiful and diverse state parks.
• 9:00 am – 10:00 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Nature Recording in the Smokies. Presented by: Mark A. Dunaway in the Ukelele Room.
• 9:30 am – 10:30 am: Ijams Family Legacy in the Smokies. Presented by: Paul James in the Violin Room.
• 9:30 am – 10:30 am: Introduction to the Acoustic Guitar. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Dobro Room.
• 10:00 am – 11:00 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Butterflies: Flying Flowers in the Garden. Presented by: Kris H. Light in the Harp Room. Learn about East Tennessee’s native butterflies, their life cycles and how to attract them to your garden.
• 10:15 am – 11:45 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Bird Songs of the Smokies. Presented by: Mark A. Dunaway in the Ukelele Room.
• 11:00 am – Noon: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. The History of the Overhill Cherokee from 1770 – 1838. Presented by: Robert Redhawk Eldridge in the Violin Room. Robert Redhawk Eldridge covers the history of the Cherokee Indians of East Tennessee and North Georgia through early treaties, the War of 1812 and the events that led to their removal.
• 11:00 am – Noon: The Smokies All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. Presented by: Todd Witcher in the Dobro Room.
• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Silly Safari Show. Presented by: Amazon John in the Harp Room.
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: Attracting Butterflies and Caterpillars. Presented by: W.C. and Glenna Julian and Lois English in the Ukelele Room.
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Civil War in the West, 1862. Presented by: Jack Carman in the Guitar Room.
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Our National Treasures: America’s National Parks. Presented by: Chuck Summers in the Dobro Room.
• 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Ghost Birds! The Historic Search for the Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers. Presented by: Stephen Lyn Bales in the Violin Room.
• 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Hiker’s Guide to Food and Medicine. Presented by: Ila Hatter in the Harp Room. Ila Hatter hosts an illustrated discussion on "trail nibbles", wild food and seasonings and trail medicine.
• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Kiddin’ Around: A Hands-On Introduction to Appalachian Music and Its Instruments. Presented by: Lost Mill String Band in the Breakfast Room. Limit 20 children. Must pre-register at Information Desk. Parents encouraged to attend.
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: The Spirits of Cades Cove. Presented by: Mike Meldrum in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Lakes, Lighthouses and Landscapes of the North Woods. Presented by: Kendall Chiles in the Dobro Room.
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Bald Eagle Recovery: Fragile Links to Success. Presented by: Bob Hatcher in the Violin/Guitar Rooms.
• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Native American Storytelling. Presented by: Robert Redhawk Eldridge in the Harp Room.
• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. A Photo Walk Up Porters Creek Trail. Presented by: Bill Sullivan in the Ukelele Room.
• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities. Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard in the Breakfast Room. Limit 20. Must pre-register at Information Desk.
• 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Birds of Prey: Live Eagles! Presented by: American Eagle Foundation in the Violin/Guitar Rooms.
• 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Walking in the Beauty of the Natural World. Presented by: Don McGowan in the Dobro Room.
• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Discovering the Cumberlands. Presented by: Stuart Carroll in the Ukelele Room.
• 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Basket Making. Presented by: Theresa Tyler in the Breakfast Room. Limit 12. Must pre-register at Information Desk.
• 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Birds of the Smokies. Presented by: Dr. Fred Alsop in the Guitar Room.
• 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. A Circumambulation of the Smokies, 1910: A Walk AROUND the Smokies in 1910. Presented by: Charles Maynard in the Dobro/Harp Rooms.
• 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Shooting Photos at Night. Presented by: Eric Gebhart in the Violin Room.
• 7:00 pm: Slow Jam: Bring Your Own Instrument or Simply Plan to Enjoy and Listen. Presented by: Tony Thomas in the Guitar Room.
• 7:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Here, There and Yonder. Presented by: Chuck Summers in the Dobro/Harp Rooms. Chuck Summers presents a multimedia presentation featuring national treasures close to home and some far away.

The internet service at the event has been spotty this morning so you may want to check emails and surf the web in your cabin this morning before comming to the show.

Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge TN Schedule for Thursday, January 12th, 2012

How fitting that a winter advisory is in effect in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for the 6th day of Wilderness Wildlife Week in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Anyone taking one of the free guided hikes today at Wilderness Wildlife Week, make sure you have hiking boots and be prepared that some of today's hikes may be cancelled.

The program today for Day 6 of Wilderness Wildlife Week Thursday, January 12th, 2012 has some great kids programs, along with black bear and nature programs as well.

Information Desk is open from 7:00 am – 9:00 pm and the Vendor/Exhibit Hall is open from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. The Cello Room Photography Exhibit is open from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

• 8:00 am – 11:00 am: Introduction to Tracking People in the Outdoors. Presented by: Joe Kelley in the Guitar Room.
• 9:00 am – 10:00 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. A Photo Walk Up the Cove Hardwood Trail. Presented by: Jan Rhodes in the Dobro Room.
• 9:00 am – 10:00 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Energy, Effort and Passion: Volunteering in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Christine Hoyer and Dana Soehn in the Violin Room.
• 9:00 am – 10:30 am: Do It Yourself: Building A Backyard Bird Habitat. Presented by: Mark Dunaway in the Harp Room.
• 10:00 am – 11:00 am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Arches Along the Way: A Presentation of Arches and Natural Bridges Along Tennessee’s Trails. Presented by: Keith Garnes in the Ukelele Room.
• 10:30 am – 11:30 am: Bluebirds Year Round! Presented by: Steve Garr in the Dobro Room.
• 10:30 am – 11:30 am: O! Possum: Live Animal Show. Presented by: Lynne McCoy in the Violin Room.
• 11:00 am – 12:30 pm: Identifying Local Birds of Prey. Presented by: Stephen Lyn Bales in the Harp Room.
• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: Where’s Mommy? The Rehabilitation of Orphaned Wildlife. Presented by: Phylis Rollins in the Ukelele Room.
• 11:30 am – 12:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Tennessee’s Cumberland Trail: Closing the Gaps and Looking Beyond. Presented by: Warren Devine in the Guitar Room.
• Noon – 1:00 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program Ages 6 – 10. Adults welcome. Booger: A Tall Tale of the Mountains. Presented by: Mary Phillips in the Violin Room. Enjoy an adventure with "Booger: A Tall Tale of the Mountains." Children learn the concept of spinning a tall tale, and are encouraged to share in creating new twists and turns, after meeting - Stinking Will, Jack In the pulpit, Wild Rose, and Booger’s cat, Stinker! Kids are introduced to field guide books, and learn to identify and discover the world of native plants.
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Learn and Enjoy the Wildflowers in the Smokies. Presented by: Bill Sullivan in the Dobro Room. Photo slideshow presentation about the wildflowers of the Smokies, including medicinal uses and other interesting facts.
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Meditations on Nature. Presented by: Phylis Rollins in the Ukelele Room. Through chants, songs, readings and slides of area wildlife and nature, as well as a guided meditation, experience a profound oneness with the natural world.
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Those Ain’t Teddy Bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Mike Meldrum in the Breakfast Room. Limit 12. Must pre-register at Information Desk.
• 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. The Making of Audubon’s "The Birds of America". Presented by: Stephen Lyn Bales in the Harp Room. Presentation features what it took for Audubon to complete the creation of John James’ Audubon’s "The Birds of America” was one of the greatest achievements in national history.
• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Let’s Make Music! Children’s Workshop: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson in the Violin Room.
• This is a fun-filled FREE workshop for children to learn to play rhythm instruments such as the kazoo, spoons, harmonica, etc. The students will learn to play together to create a rhythm band like in the old days. If students have their own instrument, they are welcome to bring it, otherwise, instruments will be available for purchase for a low price in the Vendors and Exhibitors Room.
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Native American Stories. Presented by: Robert Redhawk Eldridge in the Dobro Room.
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Wild Wonders. Presented by: Knoxville Zoo Bird Show in the Guitar Room.
• 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Civil War in the West, 1861. Presented by: Jack Carman in the Ukelele Room.
• 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Kids Track Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Hands-On History: Let’s Play Marbles!: Old-Fashioned Marble Games. Presented by: Pat K. Thomas in the Breakfast Room. Limit 15. Must pre-register at Information Desk.
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Bears 101: Their Lives and Interactions with Humans. Presented by: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard in the Harp Room.
• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Music of Appalachia: Past and Present. Presented by: Lost Mill String Band in the Violin Room.
• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Cherokee Orchard Remembered. Presented by: Theresa Williams in the Dobro Room.
• 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Phillips 66, Avon Calling and Monkey Wards: What’s in a Name? Presented by: Kathy Gwinn in the Guitar Room.
• 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Hiking the John Muir Trail. Presented by: Bert Kunze in the Ukelele Room.
• 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Recreation vs. Conservation of Waterways. Presented by: Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Harp Room.
• 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Old Time Hymns. Presented by: Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton in the Violin Room. 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.
• 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Clawhammer Banjo for Beginners, Workshop II: Boogertown Gap and Keith Watson in the Breakfast Room. Must bring own five string banjo and have it tuned to key of ",G", Limit 10. This is part two of a two-part class. Must pre-register at Information Desk for both classes.
• 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Bears, Boars and Bulls! 30 Years Managing the Wildlife of the Smokies. Presented by: Kim Delozier in the Guitar Room.
• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. Bears: What to Know When Walking in Their Woods. Presented by: Joel and Kathy Zachry in the Dobro/Harp Rooms.
• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Old Hymns and Songs of Faith. Presented by: Whaley Family Singers in the Violin Room.
• 6:00 pm: Saturday Hike Sign ups – Holiday Inn Express.
• 7:30 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program. The Spiritual Side of Nature. Presented by: Chuck Summers and Ken Jenkins in the Dobro/Harp Rooms.
• 8:00 pm: Lore of the Moon and Stars. Presented by: Stuart Carroll in the Violin Room.

As with all winter storms, if the weather deteriates too much, please go back to your cabin where you can enjoy the warmth of the hot tub or fireplace and still enjoy a winter fantasy in the Smokies.