Nature Lovers Extravaganza

If you love anything about the outdoors, nature, history, music, or photography, I want to tell you about what may be the best free event of its kind in America. It is 8 days of 100% free, presentations, lectures, seminars, demonstrations, hikes, and exhibits and it is just down the road in Pigeon Forge January 9 through 16.

I had heard of Pigeon Forge’s Wilderness Wildlife Week (WWW) a couple of years ago but I didn’t know much about it and I didn’t understand what a fantastic event this is. Finally, last year I decided to drive down on a Monday and see what it was all about. I was blown away. I went back a day later and stayed overnight for 2 more days of WWW.

Wilderness Wildlife Week is held at the Pigeon Forge Convention Center which has maybe 8 or 10 large meeting rooms. There are usually about 5 presentations going on at one time…you choose which ones you want to attend. Events run each day from 8am until about 8pm. Everything is free.

Here are some of the nearly 175 presentations that you might be interested in:

Photography. There are numerous presentations on how to improve your photography skills, and all are taught by professionals who really know their stuff. Plus there is a room full of some of the best outdoor photographs that you will ever see.

Animals. National Park Rangers and other wildlife professionals discuss such topics as black bears in the Smokies, elk reintroduction, raptor identification, hiking with llamas (real llamas in the room), animal rehabilitation, two separate live bird shows, and much more.

History. This is not my area of much interest, but there are seminars on the history of the Smoky Mountains, the Cherokee, the Civil War, etc. If you are into history you can find lots to interest you.

Music. At Wilderness Wildlife week you can learn to play the harmonica, the dulcimer, the banjo, or the mandolin, or just sit back and enjoy professionals providing the entertainment on several different evenings.

Travel. There are a number of travel presentations to various destinations during the week. My advice…don’t miss anything presented by Bob & Gloria Epperson. They have at least 3 presentations on Denali, Yellowstone, and the Tetons.

Backyard gardening. Learn about herbs, edible wild plants and wild medicine or how to attract butterflies, birds, or wildlife to your property.

Outdoor skills. You can learn “dowsing” (the art of finding water with a stick), how to read a map and compass, how to carve a hummingbird, or hiking tips and tricks. Plus there are over 50 guided hikes that you can take that are led by expert guides.

Also, try not to miss former GSMNP ranger Dwight McCarter when he tells stories of his days tracking lost hikers in the national park. His stories and his presentation are captivating.

I could go on and on. But if you are interested in attending Wilderness Wildlife week my best advice is to go online to “mypigeonforge.com” and click on “Wilderness Week” and then click on “class listing”. There you can find what days hold the presentations that you are most interested in. I plan to be there about 4 days this year.

By the way, did I mention that this may be the best event of its kind in America and that it is entirely free? I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.