Fee Hedrick Family Entertainment Group

The Mountain Press:
PIGEON FORGE, TN - More residents of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are coming into the Sevier County area seeking refuge. The families are finding an ally at the Comedy Barn.

In addition to assisting the refugees while they are in town, co-owner David Fee’s heart has been touched by a family trying to deliver much needed supplies to relatives and retrieve belongings from a Katrina-torn region of Mississippi. No moving truck rental facilities would help this family.

“I saw car dealerships all over town packed with trucks,” Fee said. “That’s when it hit me. I can buy a truck for these people to use to take care of their homes and families. No rental fee and no strings attached. They need a truck this weekend, so I’m getting them a truck.”

Late Friday night, a truck full of food and supplies as well as water furnished by English Mountain Water will make its way to people in need of help. Fee also plans to fit as many people as he can in the truck and bring them back to East Tennessee.

“This is a tourist area,” he said. “We have the room for Katrina’s victims. Many have found us, now I am going to get them. I am just tired of seeing the chaos afflicting these helpless people. We can help, so we are. I’ll send that truck back and forth for weeks if I have to.”

From now until Sept. 12, Fee is offering free admission to the Comedy Barn Theater for all residents of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi who present a valid driver’s license at the box office. Fee has helped organize hurricane assistance in Pigeon Forge, organizing the mayor’s office, Department of Tourism, American Red Cross, hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. All of this follows a donation Fee made to the Red Cross earlier this week.

The Comedy Barn Theater has become a point of contact for hurricane refugees.

Fee is the co-owner and president of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, which operates the Comedy Barn Theater, the Black Bear Jamboree and Blackwood Breakfast Show. In March 2006, The Miracle Theater, one of the largest faith-based entertainment venues in the United States, will open in what is now the Louise Mandrell Theatre.

Original Story:
The Mountain Press