City: Pigeon Forge, TN

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Telephone: (865) 453-1000

Address: 3171 Parkway

Description: This three-day event, which takes place in late August, features some 60 different gospel groups representing more than 400 individual artists. The 3,000-seat convention center hosts two shows daily, from 1 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 11 p.m. The concerts are sponsored by Gospel Music Television Network, which is based in Pigeon Forge and is North America’s only all-gospel channel, broadcasting inspirational acts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. GMTN broadcasts the World Premiere concerts worldwide via satellite and cable, reaching an audience of millions in the United States and Canada. Other activities related to the concert include morning devotional services and a lecture series. Vendors of religiously themed merchandise are on hand throughout the event, and the performers themselves set up product tables where fans can buy CDs and T-shirts and even get handshakes and autographs from their favorite acts. At the cafeteria, attendees can meet, greet, and eat with the stars. One-day tickets for the event start at $29.95 plus tax; multiday packages that include lodgings, meals, and show tickets are available.