Gatlinburg, TN -- (SBWire) -- 12/05/2014 --Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, TN will kick off the 25th Anniversary of Smoky Mountain Winterfest this November 2014! Winterfest is a magical celebration of enchanting light displays, unique shopping, award-winning shows, family attractions and the winter majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains!

Smoky Mountain Winterfest began in 1989 as a collaborative and cooperative effort between the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville along with Dollywood and Sevier County. The initial idea of Winterfest was to extend the visitor travel season into the months of November, December, January and February by highlighting the winter beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, offering festive family events and entertainment along with themed light displays throughout the area. With humble beginnings 25 years ago… today Smoky Mountain Winterfest is an economic boom to the Smoky Mountain Family Vacation Destination resulting from major visitor increases. Lodging occupancy has increased from 20% in 1989 to over 65% in 2013, attraction and entertainment sales have grown from just under $1 million to over $10 million and restaurant receipts have doubled from $18 million in 1989 to over $36 million today. Most importantly the Sevier County unemployment rate decreased from 14% in 1989 to about 4.5% in recent years during the months of Winterfest. Needless to say, Smoky Mountain Winterfest has been an overwhelming success story for all of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Sevier County!

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary, the family destination cities have added even more lights and light displays in addition to 100% of their Winterfest lights are now sustainable LED lights thus saving thousands of dollars annually in electric and maintenance costs. Furthermore, many of the local attractions, businesses and entertainment venues have dressed-up their presentation, added more shows, lights, festive entertainment and events to help celebrate the 25th Winterfest season.

About Smoky Mountain Winterfest
Smoky Mountain Winterfest is family fun for all ages that begins November 10, 2014 and continues through February of 2015. Winterfest events include Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium in Sevierville, Gatlinburg's 27th Annual New Year's Eve Fireworks Show & Ball Drop, the 25th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge and much, much more!

For a complete list of Winterfest events please visit http://www.ComeExperienceTheSmokies.com

With over 10 million lights adorning the streetscapes, this year's 25th Anniversary of Smoky Mountain Winterfest celebrates the success of this charming festival for our area and visitors alike. Area theaters will offer themed shows echoing the wintery sentiment, Dollywood adds to the magical fun with its own Smoky Mountain Christmas, chilly weather adventure is abound at Ober Gatlinburg and the spellbinding mystique of the Great Smoky Mountains offer a priceless opportunity to create cherished family memories that will last for generations.

Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville will be vibrant with Winterfest fun... offering great vacation value and family adventure all in one convenient location beginning this November. So make your plans today to "come experience" all that Smoky Mountain Winterfest has to offer and help us celebrate the 25th Anniversary of this magical occasion!

For more information about Smoky Mountain Winterfest please visit http://www.ComeExperienceTheSmokies.com

Contact:
Dee Lundy, Lundy Thomas PR
865-755-2128 email: dee@lundythomas.com