Retro Weekend™ in the Smokies - Online Registration is closed, but Onsite Registration is OPEN! We hope to see you soon.

The LeConte Event Center in Pigeon Forge will be the site of RetroWeekend, a throwback to the sounds and culture of yesteryear. The weekend, which takes place April 29 through May 1, allows attendees to immerse themselves in the culture, music and feelings of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

RetroWeekend offers great opportunities to learn, compete, dance and laugh, all while making a significant charitable impact in the community. From featured workshops on health, wellness and financial management to dance lessons featuring swing, shag and 2-step, the weekend will place mental and physical health at the forefront of participants’ minds.

A specially crafted race will take place on Saturday morning, April 30, featuring a unique “Progressional Start™” race format that allows everyone to “Run at the Front™” regardless of age or ability. Open to all runners of every age, it is the only race of its kind in the country. The “secret sauce” is staggered start times for each age group over 40, so racers are only competing against their peers. The race is 5 miles, 916 yards (not measured in kilometers, just like the good old days!).

Live music will play throughout Friday and Saturday’s festivities. Upbeat dance band Top Tier (Nashville, Tenn.) will perform Friday evening, and North America’s No. 1 tribute band, Woodie and the Longboards (Riverside, Calif.), will take the stage Saturday evening to perform consecutive 75-minute tributes to The Eagles’ Glenn Frey and The Beach Boys.

Several noteworthy speakers will enlighten guests throughout the weekend. The opening keynote speaker is Olympian Jeff Galloway. Galloway was recognized by USA Running as the “most recognized personality in running.” Galloway is also the founder of the Galloway Training Program and is the author of Galloway’s Book on Running.

Lee Ellis (“Leading with Honor”, www.LeadingWithHonor.com ) will serve as an inspirational keynote speaker on Friday afternoon. During the Vietnam War, Lee’s aircraft was shot down over enemy territory and he was held as a POW in various prisons in the Hanoi area for over five years.

The charitable impact in the community and throughout Appalachia will be significant. At least 10 percent of all registration fees will go to charities that serve the needs of the area, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Friends of the Smokies, Remote Area Medical and Wears Valley Ranch, among others.

Dolly Parton’s brand new and exclusive DreamMore Resort serves as the host hotel for the weekend.