Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Oct. 15, 2019) – In recognition of the city’s special events, the Pigeon Forge (Tenn.) Department of Tourism claimed 23 Pinnacle Awards from the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) and Haas & Wilkerson Insurance.
In the best event/festival category, Pigeon Forge claimed the second and third best event in the world with a silver Grand Pinnacle Award for A Mountain QuiltfestTM and a bronze for Wilderness Wildlife Week. The Grand Pinnacle is the highest award given by the IFEA.
“The IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards Competition recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional, operational and community outreach programs and materials produced by festivals and events around the world,” said IFEA President & CEO, Steven Wood Schmader, CFEE. “Striving for the highest degree of excellence in festival and event promotions and operations in every budget level and every corner of the globe, this competition has not only raised the standards and quality of the festivals and events industry to new levels, but also shows how event producers can use innovation and creativity to achieve a higher level of success.”
Wilderness Wildlife Week received 13 Pinnacle Awards overall. A Mountain Quiltfest claimed seven, while the Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff claimed one. The Pigeon Forge Office of Special Events also won in the category for best hat and best t-shirt design for its special events volunteer t-shirt.
Highlights include Wilderness Wildlife Week’s gold awards for best green program and best children’s programming along with its silver awards for best volunteer program and best community outreach program. A Mountain Quiltfest received a silver award for best educational program among others. Pigeon Forge’s Chuck Wagon Cookoff, an annual spring competition among authentic chuck wagon cooks, secured a silver award for best food and beverage program.
“Each year Pigeon Forge’s special events staff, volunteers and guests produce a roster of high-quality, immersive and unique event experiences for our guests and local residents,” said Pigeon Forge Executive Director of Tourism Leon Downey. “Recognition from IFEA is an honor and encourages our team as they look for ways to grow these annual events.”
“The IFEA awards inspire us to evolve our special events and bring creative ideas to everything we do throughout the year,” said Pigeon Forge Special Events Manager Butch Helton. “To compete on this level is an honor, but to be recognized with these awards is humbling.”
Additional winners at the 2019 convention included: RedFilo Events, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Destination NSW, Sydney, Australia; Cuckoo Events, Dublin, Ireland; Festival Lent, Maribor, Slovenia; Geumsan Insam Festival in Gangeneung-si, South Korea; and the Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival, Songpa-gu, South Korea.
This year’s IFEA awards presentation was Sept. 25 in Williamsburg, Virginia, during the organization’s 64th convention.
For information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge and other city-sponsored events, visit MyPigeonForge.com or call 1-800-251-9100.
