The Grand Pinnacle is the highest award given by the IFEA.

Wilderness Wildlife Week received a record-setting 11 Pinnacle Awards, including gold for best community outreach program, best green program, best event invitation and best miscellaneous clothing in the category for projects with budgets less than $250,000.

The outdoor-focused event, which moved from January to May in 2016, won silver awards for best educational program and best new merchandise, as well as four bronze awards, including best event/program (for the Appalachian Homecoming’s Cades Cove Preservation Association Picnic Dinner fundraiser) within an event to benefit a cause.

Pigeon Forge’s Saddle Up 2016 won two Gold Pinnacle Awards for best event within an existing event (for Stories & Strings) and best food and beverage program for the Chuck Wagon Cookoff.

“Pigeon Forge’s special events have become traditions for so many, and the IFEA’s recognition underscores their importance to our city’s offerings,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. “We’re grateful for our special events staff, our family of volunteers and our talented special guests who come together to create these events and entertain our guests.”

Additional silver Pinnacle awards were received for best commemorative poster for Saddle Up and best event within an existing event for Saddle Up’s Chuck Wagon Cookoff, as well as best t-shirt design, best overall merchandising program and best miscellaneous clothing for A Mountain Quiltfest 2016. The city of Pigeon Forge office of special events won a bronze Pinnacle award for best television promotion for an ad spot or public service announcement for projects with a budget of $750,000 to $1.5 million.

“We take great pride in the IFEA accolades because our Pigeon Forge special events are showcased alongside some of the biggest and best events from around the world,” said Butch Helton, special events manager. “It’s truly an honor for Pigeon Forge to be featured among such great company and certainly makes us strive to produce the very best events possible.”

Other winners at the 2016 convention included the Kentucky Derby Festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., Pasadena (California) Tournament of Roses, Sausalito (California) Art Festival Foundation and the Rotterdam Festivals in The Netherlands.

This year’s IFEA awards presentation was Sept. 27 in Tucson, Ariz., during the organization’s 61th anniversary convention.

Visitor information about Pigeon Forge is available online at MyPigeonForge.com and toll-free at 800-251-9100.

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Contact:
Trish McGee
for Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
615-327-1189