PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee -Pigeon Forge tourism officials are
reinforcing that the city’s many attractions, theaters, restaurants and
lodging properties are operating as usual after recent wildfires in the
area. The announcement comes after Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner
encouraged visitation to the area as a show of support.
“If you really want to do something for Gatlinburg, come back and visit us,” Werner said in a Nov. 30 press conference.
“Many of our
city’s 6,000 residents, as well as those of our friends and family in
Gatlinburg, are dependent on the tourism industry for jobs to care for
themselves and their families,” said Leon Downey, Pigeon Forge executive
director of tourism. “As our communities move forward, our industry has
an obligation to our residents and employees to encourage visitation to
the area and sustain our businesses.”
Pigeon Forge
businesses were not damaged during this week’s fires, and businesses are
operating as usual. The city’s Winterfest festival continues, including
several Christmas shows at various theaters. Dollywood theme park
reopens on Friday, Dec. 2. Restaurants and lodging properties are
operating on normal schedules.
City-wide support includes 30 Pigeon Forge firefighters currently stationed in Wears Valley.
Of the 500 evacuees in Pigeon Forge, fewer than 20 remain in the Pigeon Forge Community Center shelter.
“We are
heartbroken by the devastation we’ve seen in Gatlinburg,” said Pigeon
Forge City Manager Earlene Teaster. “But I speak on behalf of all our
Pigeon Forge tourism partners when I say that we offer our constant
prayers and encouragement for everyone affected and stand alongside them
as they work to rebuild.”
The Tennessee
Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and Tennessee Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disaster (TN VOAD) have set up a call center to provide
information for those who would like to donate goods and volunteer to
help survivors. For a list of the most-needed items, please visit http://mypf.social/ pfdonationneeds. The call center is staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; the phone number is 866-586-4483.
To support
displaced residents and visitors, Pigeon Forge established a
distribution center to disperse donated food and supplies. Located just
off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge in the former Boyds Bear building at 149
Cates Lane, the facility is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.
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