The Sevierville Chamber of Commerce has put their heads together and come up with a great program for the business representatives of our area. Jim McGill and Brenda McCroskey have taken the initiative to take their chamber members on a tour of Sevierville like no other. The program takes you through historic Sevierville, the greenbelt, Rainforest adventures, Chinese acrobats, and much more!
We were first taken through the historic parts of Sevierville as Carroll McMahan told many interesting stories about the area. The stories were captivating and funny at the same time. It really was a treat to be able to see and hear all about our community’s past. This tour will really bring a new level of appreciation for your hometown.
Once we reached the greenbelt we were in the Sevierville in Bloom section of the tour. The city was kind enough to take us through the area, showing the group their beautiful assortment of trees and plant life. The city has planted and marked many different varieties of plants for the community to enjoy as they use the trail. This is one part of the city that we can all keep clean and enjoy.
Once we left the greenbelt, the owners of the Rainforest Adventure were kind enough to invite us in to view their business. We were able to see many rare and exotic animals including parrots, lemurs, porcupines, and even snakes. The group was allowed to touch and pet many of the animals, which made for a great experience that will not be forgotten.
The tour then went right up the hill where we met the staff of Cirque de Chine. Joan Brock had arranged for the group to enjoy a short version of their acrobatic show. As we watched the hoop divers and the amazing balancing acts, we could not believe what we saw. This is such an amazing show with very talented performers. It is a definite must-see in the area.
After being amazed by the performers as Cirque de Chine we headed over to the Apple Barn where Mr. Kilpatrick met us for a tour of his family business. We heard stories of the family growing up in the farmhouse and how they grew the first apples there. He went into detail about the growth from a small business to one of the main attractions in our area. Before we left they made sure we had some of their famous hot apple pies and cider for the next stop.
The last stop of the day was to the Sevier Solid Waste Facility. The group was taken on a tour through their operation in order to see exactly how they create the compost from our waste. It is amazing what they do to keep our waste down. They are actually creating a product from our garbage that is so beneficial to our farmers. We were also able to see how they are recycling and keep our area clean. We are very blessed to have such a facility in our county.
Once you have had a chance to reflect on what happened that day you really grow an appreciation for the people that work so hard to make this area the amazing place it is. The tour allows for businesses to network and get to know people in a different setting. This program is one of the best events I have ever attended and I highly recommend it to anyone in our Chamber. Lastly to the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce we thank you for all you do for our community and may God bless you.
