18th annual pigeon forge patriot festival is a family affair

Pigeon Forge will celebrate Independence Day with the 18^th annual Pigeon Forge Patriot Festival July 4-6. The 2008 theme is "A Family Affair - Then and Now."

Activity begins at 1 p.m. July 4 in Patriot Park with the kid’s carnival that includes a rock-climbing wall, a mechanical bull, a moonwalk, a bungee run and other games and activities.
StarJam 2008, a concert produced by Knoxville radio station Star 102.1, will provide music. Featured artists are "American Idol" contestant Ace Young, Metro Station, Joel and Benji from Good Charlotte, Menudo and Boys Like Girls.
Fireworks will cap off the day at approximately 9:30 p.m. All activities on July 4 are free.
Patriot Festival takes a step back in time on July 5 at the Old Mill and Old Mill Square from 9 a.m – 9 p.m. Tours of the Old Mill and pottery demonstrations at Pigeon River Pottery will highlight the traditions, crafts and heritage of East Tennessee. Old-time activities for children include ring toss, seesaws and jump rope. The Carolina Bluegrass Boys will perform at 6 p.m. All July 5 activities are free.
"Family Community Christian Day" will be July 6. A free concert at 4 p.m. at the Smoky Mountain Jubilee Theater will feature the Pigeon Forge Community Chorus and the voices of Everett Hills Baptist Church from Maryville, Tenn. Dr. Deborah Hicks will direct both groups. There also will be a concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Miracle Theater, featuring the Lee Singers from Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. Tickets for "Voices of Lee" are available through the Miracle Theatre at (800) 768-1170.

Festival attendees on July 4 and 5 are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. Food and beverages will be available at Patriot Park. Festival details are online at www.MyPigeonForge.com/Patriot.
For more information, contact Lila Wilson at (865) 453-8574 or e-mail at lwilson@mypigeionforge.com or Tom Adkinson at (615) 341-3640 or e-mail at tadkinson@bonhanideas.com.