Pigeon Forge - A special living showcase of a Native American village will anchor the newly expanded Dollywood Harvest Celebration which begins Sept. 26.  The multi-faceted five-week event shines the spotlight on traditional crafts, music and foods of the Great Smoky Mountains. Dollywood's Harvest Celebration, named one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 events in 2002, features an array of entertainment including master craftspeople, the country's largest southern gospel music festival, demonstrations, foods, arts and crafts all situated in the park's lavish fall décor.

"Our Harvest Celebration is all about our music, our handiwork and, of course, good food," Dolly said.  "It gives our guests a chance to experience some of the Smoky Mountains' most time-honored traditions and reminisce about a time when life was just simpler." New for this year's event is the Native American village which will feature replicas of both a Cherokee summer and winter home.  The village showcase will also feature displays and demonstrations of primitive skills, craftsmanship, music, food, storytelling and culture.   Guests can view authentic Native American regalia as well as enjoy daily presentations of native dances including the popular hoop dancing techniques.  The showcase also will feature a museum display of traditional Cherokee Indian arts and crafts including functional handmade pieces, intertribal dance teams and educational demonstrations.

The eighth annual Southern Gospel Jubilee will feature more than 28 of the biggest names in southern gospel music including the Florida Boys, the McKameys, the Crabb Family, Jeff & Sheri Easter and the Isaacs.  Dollywood's own southern gospel quartet, the Kingdom Heirs, will perform daily (except Sept. 30, Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30).  Performances are included with park admission and take place at various venues throughout Dollywood.

A wide range of artisans will display their wares as well as present working demonstrations during the Harvest Celebration.  The Smokies' only outdoor craft festival, this year's event features stained glass makers, antique woodworking, wheat weaving, knife makers, textile art, china painting, beekeepers, cornshuck dollmakers, rug weavers and a variety of others in addition to Dollywood's resident crafters who work daily in the park's Craftman's Valley.

A special highlight is the three-day Woodcarving Showcase featuring a Team Carve-Around (Oct. 3), Whittling Contest (Oct. 4) and Pumpkin Carving (Oct. 5).  In addition, the 2003 National Caricature Carving Competition winner will be named on Sept. 27 at Dollywood.  The competition is open to carvers of all skill levels; there is no entry fee.  Some of the country's premier caricature carvers will display their carvings in a special exhibit to be featured during the Harvest Celebration.  All craft exhibits, the Woodcarving Showcase and Caricature Carving Competition and exhibit are included with park admission.

Dollywood's Harvest Celebration gets under way Sept. 26 and runs through Nov. 1 (except Sept. 30 and each Thurs. in Oct.)  Park hours vary.  For tickets or more information, contact Dollywood Information at (865) 428-9488, or visit the park's website at www.dollywood.com.