GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The charred city of Gatlinburg is still days away from reopening after devastating and deadly wildfires, but all around the city, communities in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains are welcoming back residents and visitors.
In Pigeon Forge, the Comedy House rented an electronic billboard message that said it was open. A hotel flyer urged guests to check out the scenic Cades Cove loop: “Take a drive and remember what you love about the Smokies!”
Dollywood, the amusement park named after country music legend and native Dolly Parton, will reopen Friday afternoon after it was spared any damage.
“Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Sevier County is open for business,” Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters said Thursday. “We want people to know that they can visit these areas ... and we encourage them to do that.”
The Associated Press was allowed exclusive access into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Thursday. Video from the visit showed a forest of bare trees standing amid a scorched landscape and fire crews sawing up a tree stump.
