Dollywood, the mountains, and country music are all some reasons why tourists flock to the popular vacation destination of Pigeon Forge.
But officials there have just added another reason to visit the Tennessee city: the longest zipline in the country.
They’ve got a mile to go at 55 miles per hour.
Mark Ezell, the Tennessee Commissioner of Tourism, prepared to take the first flight.
Ezell said “Yes, this is exciting.” He says it’s new attractions like this that’s gotten the attention of travelers from around the world.
“All the work that’s been done in Sevier County and that east Tennessee section has helped Tennessee be the second fastest growing state in America the last six years.”
Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear says all the new hotels are going up to keep up with demand for the millions who visit Sevier County a year. “So if you think about that, If you’re coming to Pigeon Forge every year and there’s nothing new to do, more than likely, over time, a couple years, you’re going to find some other place to visit. So, it’s very important that Pigeon Forge grows. You grow. Not just Pigeon Forge, but Sevier County as as as a whole, grows its economy adds new attractions, for things, for people to do.”
That’s why Bryce Bentz at Wildside was thinking outside the box on how to make something you won’t find anywhere else.
“What is something that hasn’t been done in severe county before. And that’s really what drove the concept of the Mega Zip. I mean, you know, longest zip line in United States. It’s hard to find topography that allows for something like that. And after a lot of ground trotting, we we came to the top of Ravens Den, which is where the Mega Zip launches from,” Bentz said.
Commissioner Ezell says this is what keeps taxes down for those who live here. “You’ve got such great assets here in Sevier County that people can fly in, even internationally to Nashville and want to plan a trip to the Smokies and want to experience a lot of those great outdoor things that happen in Tennessee.”
