The Ghost Town Chairlift

HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. — The operators of Maggie Valley’s Ghost Town in the Sky say it’s time to change the old amusement park’s identity in order to continue running.

Owner Alaska Presley and her manager say they can’t compete with places like Dollywood. So they’re re-branding the park as an Appalachian village.

The bottom level will be an old time country store, with jams, jellies and souvenirs. The next level up the mountain will be a county fair atmosphere with carnival rides called Moonshine Holler.

“The third level is the village, where there will be theaters and shows and restaurants and gift shops and all that kind of stuff,” Ghost Town Village manager Chris Chagnon said.

Chagnon says independent vendors will run these venues and bring in multiple revenue streams.

“And I think it’s going to make a great deal of difference to the mountain because they can give it a lot more personal attention than I can give it trying to run it on my own,” Presley said.

Horseback riding is also planned, as well as an eventual “Holy Land” at the top of the mountain with a 125-foot cross.

Ghost Town did not open last summer, but the re-branded Ghost Town Village is set to open June 1, operating 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, through Oct. 31.

A ride to the top of the mountain on the chairlift will cost about $10.

Source: WLOS