As mentioned previously, the residents were leaving Florida to go back to their summer homes. This includes us, as we packed up to go back to Connecticut on April 24, but with a slight detour to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, Tennessee.
It was pure delight seeing the different sites and attending the many shows. Each show that we saw had music and dancing, plus a little comedy thrown in.
The very first show that we saw was called the Smith Family Show, and it had segments that included hits from several performers such as the Statler Brothers, the Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, the Gatlins, Marty Robbins, Dwight Yoakum and more. A cute part of the show was when Louis Armstrong was imitated by a performer along with Kermit the Frog.
There was a skit where Nat King Cole sang with Natalie, and the song was “Him and Her.”
The show (as all the other shows did, also) ended with a salute to the veterans thanking them for their courage and service. There was also a lovely rendition of “The Ragged Ole Flag.”
We still had a few hours before the next show so we decided to go to The Old Mill. This is one of the oldest, continually operating water-powered mills in the country.
They have craft shops, and it was fun to browse through the stores.
This site has 200 years of Tennessee tradition.
(Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)
We then saw the Country Tonite Show in the early afternoon, and the show brought us high-energy entertainment, including singing, dancing, comedy, gospel and so much more.
This particular show is celebrating 20 years of playing in the Smokies.
At night, we saw a magic show called “Magic Beyond Belief” with Darren Romeo. In this show, we saw spectacular illusions, majestic animals, dazzling costumes, comedy, impressions, and audience participation.
This was a one-of-a-kind experience for any age. The show was absolutely thrilling, breathtaking and very inspiring.
The next day, we took a ride to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, which is a wilderness park and showcased frontier life.
Once here, we also saw waterfalls and beautiful views around every bend of the road. There were several hiking trails (we skipped those), but the scenery was breathtaking.
We then went to see a new show where Brian Hoffman did a tribute show to remembering Red Skelton. This was a one-man show that was full of comedy.
Brian performed Red’s famous characters, such as the clown and several others. He did pantomimes and one-man skits. This tribute show reminded us that Red’s clean family humor and love for the country should still have a place in today’s world.
Later that night, we went to the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud. The dinner was a four-course family style feast. It was all you can eat.
The show was excellent and had some cute moments. This was an action-packed show, where half of the audience was a Hatfield and the other half was a McCoy. So we would scream and yell when our particular family was performing.
The following day, we took a drive through Cades Cove. This is an 11-mile loop that follows many of the curves and courses that settlers forged years ago.
We saw wildlife, including wild turkeys and deer. And, we were able to experience the tranquil beauty of the trails, wildlife and scenery once you got out of your car at one of the many turn-offs.
We left the cove after several hours, and in the early afternoon, we went to the Smoky Mountain Opry.
Here, we saw a great variety show with more comedians, jugglers and specialty acts.
The special effects added to the show, as they were magnificent. Several of the acts involved being suspended from the ceiling in the center of the venue. Many dancers performed on the stage.
Our trip was almost at a close, but we still had one more show to see. The name of the show was “Sweet Fanny Adams,” located in Gatlinburg.
The original shows are quick-witted sensations, filled with the broadest of humor and the silliest of slapstick.
There was loads of audience participation, with lively music and top-notch performers. There was a sing-a-long and, believe me, you better be singing, as everyone was being watched.
The show was two hours and was a pure delight.
Well, as they say, all good things must come to an end — so, on April 29, we took our leave.
By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons
Published May 24, 2017
