In anticipation of starting this podcast, Foothills Of The Smokies, I sat down with Keener Shanton, Head Distiller for Old Forge Distillery. So we taped this more than a year before, just as they were about to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. That milestone has come and gone, but like a good spirit, the discussion still aged well, and we wanted you to hear it.

Enjoy this special Christmas Eve reading of T'was The Night Before Christmas. This is a recording we did a couple of years ago, on the 200th anniversary of the the publication of the poem.

So make some hot cocoa, lay out the cookies, and gather the family around.

Merry Christmas from our Old Mill Family to yours.

On this episode of Foothills of the Smokies, we sit down with Leon Downey, Director of Tourism for the City of Pigeon Forge, to talk about tourism in one of East Tennessee's most visited destinations. Leon shares insights into how Pigeon Forge, Tennessee welcomes millions of visitors each year, the story behind how the town got its name, and what goes into promoting a community we're proud to call home.

With a population of just over 6,000 full-time residents, Pigeon Forge hosts more than 8 million visitors annually, offering memorable experiences through its lodging, restaurants, attractions, and family-friendly entertainment. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park sees roughly 12 million visitors each year across its Tennessee and North Carolina entrances—and nearly three-quarters of those visitors make their way to Pigeon Forge. That kind of impact highlights the work of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism and the role the city plays in the broader Smoky Mountains tourism economy.