THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN OF ENTERTAINMENT THEATER AND HOMEMADE AMISH PRETZELS… HOW IT CAME TO BE:
Sometimes it’s difficult to know what people like best about the Mountain of Entertainment Theater. Obviously it’s our incredible shows, “Array Variety Show” and “Illusionation, featuring the Magic of Jason Hudy,” which are both drawing bigger and bigger crowds as word spreads about the two hottest new shows in Pigeon Forge.
However, running a close second to our shows has got to be our fresh baked, homemade Amish Pretzels. When we decided to start offering these pretzels to our guests, we had no idea how popular they would become. Their popularity has grown to the point that we have people who now stop in regularly just to get hot fresh pretzels to go. We’ve joked about putting a sign out front that flashes “Hot Pretzels Now” in the same way Krispy Kreme does with their donuts. To be honest, we don’t do it because we’re afraid we won’t be able to make enough pretzels to keep up with the demand.
Before I share with what brought about the partnership between MOET and homemade Amish pretzels, I thought it would be interesting to give you the history of how pretzels began.
HISTORY OF THE PRETZEL:
It’s been said that the pretzel originated in 610 A.D. when an Italian monk, teaching children in Northern Italy decided to try rolling out ropes of dough and then twisted them to resemble hands crossed on the chest in prayer. He baked them and called them “Pretiola” or “little rewards,” to reward his students for learning their prayers.
His new creation quickly became a favorite among the monks who used the pretzel’s distinctive knot shape to symbolize the Holy Trinity, with the three holes representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
HOW PRETZELS BECAME SO POPULAR AMONG THE AMISH:
In the 18th century, Swiss German immigrants brought their German baking traditions to the United States, Pennsylvania in particular. These immigrants became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch, and they quickly became popular for their freshly baked pretzels. As the Pennsylvania Dutch, or “Amish” started branching out to other parts of the country, they took their baking traditions with them as they began new lives in their new Amish communities nationwide.
HOW OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH AMISH PRETZELS BEGAN:
In 2018, my wife, Chelsi and I began producing a Christmas show in Shipshewana, Indiana. This past Christmas was our 6th year of doing shows in this charming Amish community. During the past 6 years we have created some very special friendships there, and it’s safe to safe that some of our best friends in the entire world are members of the Amish community in Shipshewana. In fact, one family in particular, Dennis and Kathryn, who have become like family, are actually our business partners in the Mountain of Entertainment Theater venture.
The pretzel recipe we use was created by Kathryn. While discussing business ideas one evening, they proposed the idea of selling their pretzels in our concessions. They actually came to Pigeon Forge to teach our bakers exactly how to make these amazing pretzels, and the end results are the delicious treats that our guests get to enjoy during every show. It’s also worthwhile to note that these pretzels are ONLY available in this area at the Mountain of Entertainment Theater.
So, next time you make plans to enjoy our shows, be sure and treat the whole family to one of Katherine’s fresh baked, homemade Amish pretzels. They are scientifically proven to gain you more brownie points than a dozen red roses!
MORE INTERESTING PRETZEL FACTS:
· October is National pretzel month.
· More than $550 Million dollars’ worth of pretzels are sold in the United States Annually.
· The pretzel is considered a good luck symbol due to its religious roots.
· Unsalted pretzels are called “baldies.”
· The largest pretzel ever baked according to Guinness Book of World Records measured 29 feet 3 inches long by 13 feet 3 inches wide. It weighed a whopping 1,728 pounds.
· The first pretzel to journey to America is thought to have come over on the Mayflower.
· Pretzels were a part of wedding ceremonies in the 16th century. Similar to a wishbone, the bride and groom would make a wish, break the pretzel and eat it as a symbol of their union.
· Pennsylvania is known as the pretzel capital of the world.
· Pennsylvanians consume 12 times more pretzels annually than the national average.
· The average American consumes up to two pounds of pretzels per year.
· Consequently, the average “Array Variety Show” and “Illusionation” guest could easily consume two pounds of pretzels during the course of one show!
**For the opportunity to visit Mountain of Entertainment Theater, experience our amazing shows, and try one of our one-of-a-kind Amish pretzels, go to arrayvarietyshow.com, call 865-245-4386, or stop by 2135 Parkway in Pigeon Forge.**