Visitor Center offers Family Fun Day

Construction adding 2,000 sq.ft. now complete Casey@theheraldnewspapers.com Local Christian radio stations Love 89.1FM WYLV and Joy 62AM WRJZ held a Family Fun Day at the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Friday afternoon, serving up free food and entertainment. Kids got their kicks with inflatable jumpers and other carnival rides, not to mention hot dogs, sno-cones, popcorn and drinks. “They had called us and said they wanted to have a family event for us,” said Visitor Center Manager Sam Chesser. Only weeks ago, the Visitor Center opened up a new wing to the building, which added 2,000 square feet to the building. The additions were made to house retail and office space for both the Great Smoky Mountain Association and the Friends of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park organization, which are currently operating offices at the Visitor Center. “Partnering with the Great Smoky Mountains Association and Friends of the Smokies is an excellent way to serve the needs of our visitor demographic since the most requested information at the Sevierville Visitor Center concerns the national park,” said Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brenda McCroskey. “Additionally, the creation of this alliance will substantially increase both the awareness and visibility of the Sevierville Visitor Center which will allow us to provide information to even more area visitors,” she said. The Sevierville Board of Mayor and Alderman voted last year to set aside $632,000 for the construction of the offices. The appropriated funds were then turned over to the Chamber of Commerce, who now sublease the space to the Friends of the Smokies group and the Great Smoky Mountain Association, in turn, sub-sub-leases space from them. “This will give visitors coming from Interstate 40 the ability to get information on the park,” according to Sevierville City Administrator Doug Bishop. “We expect the number of visitors coming to the Welcome Center to increase,” said city Public Information Officer, Bob Stahlke. “I’m very excited about this project,” said Friends of the Smokies President, Gary R. Wade. “This partnership will open the door for the Smokies to have a home outside of the park,” said Wade.