By Tom Wuckovich

Tennessee Walking Horses have earned quite a reputation over the years, and rightly so. Another Tennessee institution that also has built a reputation is the famed Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, which will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this summer with a Grand Re-Opening after an $80 million renovation. Part of the resort’s great summer celebration involves a prestigious new show that, ironically, involves horses.

Scheduled for a six-week run beginning July 31 is an awesome event that has proven to be an incredible experience for audiences fortunate enough to see it. Under a “Big Top” tent, Gaylord Opryland will present Cheval, an astonishing spectacle of equestrian performances created by Cirque de Soleil co-founder and former director Gilles Ste-Croix. Cheval, which means horse in French, is filled with many of the same winning ingredients as Cirque, but the theatrical abilities of humans are combined with the strength and grace of the horse. Nashville will mark the first time the show has toured in the Southeast. Not surprisingly, it chose Nashville. It’s just one of many exciting summer events in The Grand New Nashville that merits putting this city first when it comes to summer vacations.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s tribute to Elvis, “Remembering the King,” will run from August 9-18. The “Taking Care of Business Tour” features Elvis memorabilia in conjunction with a month-long, citywide celebration to honor The King on the 25th anniversary of his passing. “Treasures Untold,” a new exhibit, features a unique collection of items from devoted country music fans. “Treasures” runs from August 1 through Fall 2002.

You can’t mention musical institutions without mentioning the Grand Ole Opry, which kicks off a summer of activities with Opry Plaza Parties. You won’t want to miss the free fun in the Opry Plaza every Friday and Saturday night, but don’t forget to see today’s new stars, superstars and legends at the Opry during Tuesday Night Opry shows through August 13.

Nashville is a year round destination, and there’s much to do and see from July through the holidays. At Cheekwood Mansion and Botanical Garden, several exhibits will be occurring between July and December. The big event for the season is the much-heralded Cheekwood Trees of Christmas as part of the mansion’s Home for the Holidays spectacle. Cheekwood has decided to change the theme to “Season of Celebration” and expand its holiday activities. Announcement of the new events will be made in August.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts, located in the former downtown main post office, offers a cultural bonanza for residents and visitors. With more than 125,000 square feet of space, the Center has become a vibrant institution featuring outstanding exhibits. Through Sept. 15, “Vital Forms: American Art and Design in the Atomic Age, 1940-1960,” will be one of the premier shows. The show illustrates how everyday objects like Tupperware, a Slinky and TV reflect post-war design trends.

If you want to play a real part in some significant event in Nashville, archaeologists will be excavating the First Hermitage foundation site at The Hermitage, former home of President Andrew Jackson. From June through August, you can watch the discoveries in progress and perhaps aid in the search for clues about the lives of 19th-century occupants. In October, long ago souls emerge from the shadows of the past in a tour of the home and family cemetery, while in December, Holiday Evening Tours capture the essence of holiday celebrations in the early 1800s.

Other notable Nashville events include the Southern Festival of Books from October 11-13 and a Jazz and Blues Festival scheduled for September at Cheekwood.

If you are visiting Nashville at Christmas, then Opryland Resort should be on your list. Beginning in July, the resort will be busy stringing 40 gazillion lights, setting up hundreds of static displays and arranging thousands of holiday plants.

This ritual has been going on for so long now, it’s become a Nashville tradition, and Christmas at Opryland is as familiar to most folks as mom is to apple pie. Each year, just when you think it couldn’t get any better—it does. Last year’s spectacular extravaganza featured lights, but oh, so much more! It began with guest appearances by the fabled Rockettes, New York City’s dancers extraordinaire. The Radio City beauties will appear at the Grand Ole Opry House from late November through the end of December, staging over 50 shows.

Also coming back to Gaylord Opryland Nashville for an encore is “Fantasy In Ice,” a dazzling exhibit of one million pounds of ice carvings, sculptures and three-dimensional holiday-themed displays.

When it comes to Nashville—summer, fall or the holidays—there are more events than the notorious “1,352 guitar pickers” rumored to inhabit this city.

Slip-Aways

Experience the ”Grand New Nashville” with these exciting and value-packed vacation packages. Packages come with a variety of amenities such as buffet breakfasts, free parking and two-for-one food offers that are designed to meet your every vacation need. All packages must be booked through AAA, so find the one that’s right for you. Call or come in to your local branch today.

Southern Style Savings, Gaylord Opryland Resort Nashville- Thru Dec. 31, 2002. Rates: $169 per night plus tax for 2. Located near the Grand Ole Opry and The Hermitage.

Southern Hospitality, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville-Thru Dec. 30, 2002. Rates: $145 per night, plus tax for 2. Located near The Frist Center, Country Music Hall of Fame and Cheekwood.

Nashville Downtown Connection, Renaissance Nashville Hotel- Thru Dec. 30, 2002 (some dates not available). Rates: $134 Fri.-Sun.; $144 Mon.-Thurs.; per night, plus tax for 2. Located near The Frist Center and Country Music Hall of Fame.

Nashville Now, Embassy Suites Hotel - Opryland/ Airport- Thru Dec. 31, 2002. Rates: $119 per night, plus tax for 2. Located near the Grand Ole Opry and The Hermitage.

Music City Memories, DoubleTree Hotel Nashville- Thru Dec. 24, 2002. Rates: $189 plus tax, for two nights for 2. Located near The Frist Center and Country Music Hall of Fame.

Nashville Night Away, Radisson Hotel Opryland- Thru Dec. 31, 2002. Rates: $89 per night, plus tax for 2. Located near the Grand Ole Opry and The Hermitage.

AAA Athens of the South Tour, Holiday Inn Select Nashville Vanderbilt- Thru Dec. 31, 2002. Rates: $95 per night,plus tax for 2. Located near The Frist Center, Country Music Hall of Fame and Cheekwood.

Nashville for a Song, LaQuinta Inn Airport/Opryland- Thru Dec. 31, 2002. Rates: $159.99 - $239 depending on season, plus tax, for 2 nights, up to 4 persons. Located near the Grand Ole Opry and The Hermitage.

*Prices subject to change.

Attractions

Combo Tickets-The Pick 3 and Take 2 attraction combo passes, which include exclusive AAA amenities, allow you to visit your favorite Nashville attractions at a significant savings.

PICK 3- Choose any 3 attractions below.
(Just $24.99 plus tax. A value up to **$44.32.)
Regular Gate Admission
1. Belle Meade Plantation $10.00
2. Cheekwood $10.00
3. Country Music Hall of Fame $14.95
4. Opryland Hotel Delta Riverboats (2ppl ride on one ticket stub) $10.00
5. Frist Center for the Visual Arts $ 6.50
6. The Hermitage – $10.00 Home of President Andrew Jackson
7. Music Valley Museums $11.37
8. Regal IMAX Theater $ 8.00
9. Ryman Auditorium Tour $ 8.00
10. Wildhorse Saloon (2 for 1 admission) $ 8.00

TAKE 2- Choose any 2 attractions below.
(Just $44.99 plus tax. A value up to **$73.90.)
1. Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theater (show only) $28.00
2. Country Music Hall of Fame $14.95
3. Elvis Through the Years (dinner & show only) $32.95
4. General Jackson Midday Cruise (lunch not included) $19.99
5. Grand Ole Opry Performance $27.50
6. Gray Line Sightseeing Tour $23.00 “Home of the Stars” or ”Discover Nashville”
7. Johnny Walker Sightseeing Tour “Love that Country” $23.50
8. Nashville Nightlife (dinner & show only) $32.95
9. Ryman Auditorium Musical Production $32.00

**AAA VALUE OFFER Maximum value derived when choosing higher priced attraction tickets. When you purchase a Pick 3 or Take 2 ticket, you’ll also receive 1 Free Admission to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (retail value $3), plus you’ll receive a VIP coupon book from Opry Mills (retail value $5).

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