Members In The Spotlight!

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1 Volume-135 May 2018 Members In The Spotlight! Tennessee Motor Coach Association P.O. Box 5191 Kingsport, TN (866) Baseball Legend Cal Ripken, Jr., Music, Larger-Than-Life-Sized Balloons Highlight Pigeon Forge s New Music in the Mountains Spring Parade on May 4 Bluegrass entertainment throughout city creates weekend-long celebration of musical heritage. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (April 12, 2018) With Cal Ripken, Jr. (pictured above) leading the way, Pigeon Forge s (Tennessee) new Music in the Mountains spring parade is set for May 4 at 6 p.m. (Eastern) on the city s Parkway with entries from Tennessee, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia and Georgia plus several new elements to extend the celebration into the weekend. Ripken, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and chairman and cofounder of Ripken Baseball, will serve as parade grand marshal this year. Cal Ripken, Jr. has proven himself and his organization to be a perfect fit for Pigeon Forge, said Pigeon Forge City Manager Earlene Teaster. Cal and Pigeon Forge share the same family values, and not only is he a baseball legend, but he s such a positive role model for young people. He s invested many resources in our city, the most important of which is his own time spent here mentoring young people. That s why Pigeon Forge is so proud to have Cal as our Music in the Mountains spring parade grand marshal. The Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge, a $22.5 million youth baseball facility, opened on March 9, In just two years, hundreds of baseball teams from across the country as far away as Alaska have played on the facilities six turf fields. It is an honor to serve as grand marshal for such an iconic and celebrated event. I look forward to welcoming the Pigeon Forge community and those visiting this beautiful city to the Music in the Mountains spring parade, said Ripken. Ripken will lead the way on a new grand marshal float, designed to honor the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains with a nod to the area s deep musical roots. Also new for 2018 are four larger-than-life-sized cold-air balloons. Three depict popular children s characters the Pajaminals, Daniel the Tiger and Yogi Bear. A fourth, a baseball measuring 10-feet in diameter, recognizes the Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge. In keeping with the Music in the Mountains parade theme, free bluegrass entertainment will be featured throughout the city on Friday and Saturday with a few memory-making surprise performances that are sure to draw a crowd. Dank Strangers will perform on Friday (May 4) from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. from the Ole Smoky Moonshine stage at The Island while local favorite Jim Smith takes the stage at the Gazebo at the Old Mill on Saturday (May 5) from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission to both concerts is free. The Music in the Mountains spring parade begins at traffic light 6 on the Pigeon Forge Parkway and travels north to traffic light 3. To register for Pigeon Forge s Music in the Mountains Spring Parade or for more information, please visit MyPigeonForge. com/parade.

2 Celebrate the Great Outdoors on the 62 miles of scenic shoreline Thanks to its temperate climate and phenomenal natural beauty, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a year-round destination for outdoor activities. There is an incredible amount to do, see and experience outdoors across the Mississippi Gulf Coast: from kayaking, boating and fishing, to golf, birding, hiking and enjoying the stunning coastal views across the region. Paddling the Blueways Biloxi Schooner Sail Birding in the Bayou Biloxi Shrimping Trip Eco-Tours of South Mississippi Sunset at the Beach Kristen Parker Leisure Group Sales Manager kristen@gulfcoast.org

3 Schedule Your Christmas 2018 Tours NOW November :30 PM 9:30 PM Motorcoach Group Exclusive Event Price includes an authentic Appalachian dinner, opening act, an intimate evening with awardwinning songwriters and group photo $48 per person Two Great Show to impress your group Christmas 2018 Show ELF: THE MUSICAL With Group Exclusive Add On Experience Contact Monica Hall Group Sales Manager VisitAbingdonVirginia.com Now Taking Reservations for 2018 Shows

4 Nestled among the hills of the Hoosier National Forest resides a classic American destination - French Lick Resort. Home to two nationally historic hotels, three challenging golf courses, two rejuvenating spas and a Vegas-style casino, we offer serene surroundings enveloped with southern Hoosier Hospitality. West Baden Springs Hotel is an architectural marvel offering 246 elegant rooms; 40 which offer spectacular views of the magnificent free-spanning domed atrium, once called The Eighth Wonder of the World. Your group will reconnect to a by-gone era when life moved at a slower pace; where turn-of-the-century grandeur was, and still is, a way of life. Deciding on a dining venue may be difficult with five casual and fine dining establishments available. There s plenty of shopping opportunities at the Shoppes Around the Dome. Plan an evening carriage ride or group trolley trip around the property before winding down the day with dinner and a libation as your group stargazes through the dome. Just one mile away is French Lick Springs Hotel, offering classic American elegance with modern amenities in all 443 guest rooms and suites. Your group can explore the expansive grounds on horse-back or on foot with five miles of walking and hiking trails, and eight miles of scenic riding trails. There are three golf courses on the resort property along with a bowling alley and arcade for group fun. Guests can find a unique gift at The Promenade of Shoppes or relax with a soothing massage at our classic American spa. Select from eight restaurants in the hotel offering everything from grab-and-go to fine dining. Catch our courtesy shuttle and enjoy a meal at Hagen s Club House Restaurant on the Donald Ross Golf Course. French Lick Casino offers all of your group s favorites; 37 live-action table games along with 1,000 new and classic slots and progressives. Plus, we re home to Indiana s largest non-smoking room with live table games and 250 of the latest slots. Sing your group up for our Casino 101 class and learn some tricks of the trade. At French Lick Resort, we would be happy to assist with planning a group trip or we can customize an experience just for your travel group. Call our Group Sales staff at (812) frenchlick.com

5 Cruise the second largest lake in Indiana upon our tour boats and experience the outdoors like never before. Not just a boat ride. The Patoka Pride tour boat (pictured) holds up to 50 with climate controlled indoor seating at tables. This tour boat also has two restrooms and an open scenic sitting area above. Catered meal and bar services available. Venture out at sunset for an unforgettable event, or at midday with a sack lunch for a fun outing.the possibilities are endless on Patoka Lake. Some Available Options Include... Appetizers and Wine on an afternoon or evening cruise. Treat guests to beautiful Indiana sunsets on the water or to picturesque autumn colors on the shore. Patrons will be able to relax at the open top of the boat, or down below with a glass of wine in their hands. (hosted or cash bars available) Nature Tour with Narrator- The knowledgeable guide will entertain and inform, making sure passengers don t miss any of the native animals sites. Voyagers are encouraged to capture on camera baby osprey in their nests, an eagle in flight, and busy beavers as the boat passes by. Add the following to any tour Bar Set Up Catered Meal (buffet-style) Sack Lunch

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7 Myers Farm M Eldon...Vera Ann...Ethan... Spring to Fall... Fun for All Pumpkin Patch * Corn Maze * Hayrides * Farm Tours Haunted Hayrides * Greenhouses * Food & Drinks Additional Services for Groups Historical Tours of Downtown Greeneville, Package Tours of Greene County and Quick Pit Stops for Groups Gap Creek Road Bullls Gap, TN veraannm@comcast.net Located 5 minutes for I-18 at Exit 23

8 THE RESORT AT GOVERNOR S CROSSING NAMED #17 FAMILY RESORT IN THE U.S. BY TRIPADVISOR Recognition Comes as Resort Prepares to Hosts Millionth Guest and Plans a Major Expansion Sevierville, Tenn. - The Resort at Governor s Crossing has just been named to TripAdvisor s list of top family resorts in the United States. The Resort at Governor s Crossing, a premiere water park resort in Sevierville, Tennessee, claimed the number 17 spot on the recently released ranking. Making it the number #1 Resort in the Smokies. The announcement couldn t have come at a better time as The Resort at Governor s Crossing is about to host its one millionth customer and announce a 10 million dollar expansion. National honors like these are rare and hard to come by, says developer Kay Collier-Pittman. We had some great reviews from our guests, which earned us this position. This top twenty national ranking means even more us because it really comes from our visitors. The Resort, made up of individually owned condominiums that are available for nightly rental, began hosting guests in 2004 and attributes its success to a great management team and supportive owners. In 2006, The Resort at Governor s Crossing added its first major expansion, the addition of an indoor water park. We asked our condominium owners to partner with us on an indoor and outdoor water park and, boy, did it pay off. Our guests love it because they can spend their days between a comfortable condo and a fun water park that includes water features for kids of all ages, says Don Collier, developer. This Trip Advisor ranking reflects the quality experience our Sevierville guests enjoy at The Resort at Governor s Crossing, says Sevierville Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda McCroskey. This property has provided more than a million visitors with enjoyable and memory making vacations over the years. We are proud that The Resort at Governor s Crossing is part of Sevierville s vacation experience and congratulate them on their ranking and phenomenal number of stays. The Resort at Governor s Crossing is a prominent contributor to Sevierville s tourism industry and tax revenues are at an all time high from the condominium resort. Those numbers will inevitably increase once the proposed 10 Million Dollar expansion opens in The new condominiums will include a larger variety of unit types, including some that can accommodate up to eighteen people in one unit. Collier-Pittman explained, After a million guests, we have a pretty solid understanding of what people are looking for in their accommodations. We felt like we could improve on what we already provide and bring even more value to our guests vacation. Our philosophy is to provide our guests with a complete experience that really is their Best Vacation Ever. One family staying at The Resort at Governor s Crossing this month will actually enjoy the Best Vacation Ever, an over-the-top vacation that will be given to the millionth guest. We can t wait to tell them! Collier, stated. The Resort at Governor s Crossing is managed by The Collier Family, which also owns and operates several other hotels, restaurants, and wineries in the Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg area. Collier is celebrating 50 years in business, this year. Contact: Pete Smith Or Heather Minyard

9 GETAWAY There is just something special about Hardin County maybe it is the way the river flows through the charming town of Savannah, the historic homes found in downtown, the battlefield at Shiloh echoing the past, the warm waters of Pickwick Lake, or perhaps it is the rich lands, but there is a definite something. Hardin County houses the idyllic town of Savannah that is known to be the Catfish Capital of the World due to its gigantic catfish and the National Catfish Derby held annually each summer. Savannah downtown is perfect for shopping, or enjoying the weekly farmers market on the Court Square. The Tennessee River runs through Savannah and is one of only a few rivers in the United States that flows north. Nearby Pickwick Landing State Park offers a beautiful and challenging 18-hole golf course surrounded by trees and water. The course is a favorite of the locals as well as destination golfers. Pickwick also offers three public swimming beaches. These two miles of public swimming beach are also ideal for cool summer fun on the lake for boating, fishing, and kayaking. Over at historic Shiloh National Park, discover America s best preserved battlefield featuring 151 monuments, over 200 cannons, and Something Special HARDIN COUNTY, TENNESSEE more than 450 historic tablets. A 12.7-mile self-guided driving tour begins at the Visitors Center. During the summer, enjoy a series of free outdoor concerts on the lawn, Saturdays May 26, July 7, and August 25. The Tennessee River Museum displays the famed Shiloh Effigy Pipe, found at the Shiloh Indian Mounds site in This one of a kind artifact is an example of the trade among the prehistoric peoples of the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. Admission is free with a Shiloh National Military Park visit. The area is rich in history, full of outdoor recreation and is a tourist destination for approximately two million people each year. Picture yourself enjoying retirement in Savannah or any of the other historical and picturesque towns in Hardin County, Tennessee. It is known for its natural beauty, with the ease and security of a small town, and convenient proximity to larger metropolitan areas like Memphis, Jackson, and Nashville. Discover Southern hospitality, memorable places, and the friendly people of Hardin. retirehardincounty.org tourhardincounty.org

10 P R E S E N T S Run up Ski Mountain Road while benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains! Special Schulz Brau Keg for Participants