NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Summer just got cooler as Gaylord Opryland� Resort & Convention Center announces the launch of a summer-long festival May 26 through September 5. SummerFest, the largest indoor festival in the United States, will take place each weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. SummerFest will salute summer with daily parades live music, golf clinics, roving artists and performers, kids� activities, scavenger hunts, sensational laser light and water shows, wine and cheese tastings, pool-side activities and much more. �We are delighted to launch this exciting new event and expect SummerFest to become an annual celebration for out-of-towners and locals much like �A Country Christmas,�� said Arthur Keith, senior vice president and general manager, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. �SummerFest is a great opportunity for guests to enjoy a variety of vacation activities.� Gaylord Opryland Resort, known for world-class entertainment and events such as �A Country Christmas,� has created a non-stop summer festival atmosphere where there is no chance of rain and the temperature is always a perfect 72 degrees. Inside nine acres of atriums, guests will experience the atmosphere of beach parties, Carnival in Rio and Mardi Gras with daily themed parties and activities. Each weekend evening at 5 p.m., street parades will lead guests through the hotel to the SummerFest parties full of music, aerialists, food, beverages, party favors and fun. Don�t Miss these Great SummerFest Parties: Kickin� off the Weekend Thursdays, 5 p.m. � 7 p.m. Jump-start your weekend with a country party and jamboree. Have a toe-tapping good time and learn to line dance to musical entertainment provided by one of Nashville�s country bands. Surrounded by lassoing cowboys and card trick sharks, you can grab some grub and enjoy a slower pace or grab a partner for one heck of a hoedown! Tennessee artisans will also be on hand to make and display authentic arts and crafts. And no shindig is complete without great photo opportunities and party favors. Welcome the weekend �country-style.� Hot Summer Nights! Fridays, 5 p.m. � 7 p.m. TGIF! From �California Dreamin�� to �Margaritaville� and all points in-between, dance to the good vibrations of summer every Friday night. Raise a toast to hot summer nights with a favorite tropical drink or hit our Opryland �boardwalk� for some ice cream or cotton candy. Join the party and test your skills at a game of Limbo, Twister or Beach Blanket Bingo, or explore amazing sand sculptures reminiscent of childhood beach vacations. Nashville may not be seaside, but Gaylord Opryland has all the makings of an exciting beach bash every Friday night! There�s nothing like N�awlins for a Celebration! Saturdays, 6:30 p.m. � 9 p.m. Join the Mardi Gras parade through the hotel to the Delta Atrium for a Saturday night Carnival! Enjoy favorite Cajun foods, beignets, Hurricanes, and other appetizing libations. The Delta Island will sizzle with live music, beads and coins, design-your-own party hats, jugglers, magicians, stilt walkers and jesters. Come feel the lively celebrations and non-stop rhythms of the Big Easy! - more - SummerFest is more than just parades and parties. Whether it�s a relaxing massage, a wine-tasting class, arts and crafts, poolside contests or learning about the 50,000 plants within the hotel, there is something for everyone at Gaylord Opryland. Guests will enjoy activities throughout the property including: � Hotel and Garden Tours � Fascinated by the Gaylord Opryland�s southern architecture and beautiful gardens? Enjoy a tour by a staff horticulturist and learn amazing facts and tidbits about the history of the hotel and our lush scenery. � Kids� Zone � Kids will enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, balloon artists, sand art, the inflatable moon walk and more. � Scavenger Hunts � Armed with clever clues, a hotel map and a bag for collectibles, teams must track down information as well as tangible items available throughout the hotel. Grand prizes awarded daily. � Relaxation Stations � Looking for a bit of relaxation? Try a chair massage, smoothie or fresh fruit for the quick pick-me-up you�re looking for! For even more pampering, check out Gaylord Opryland�s new spa, Rel�che, opening in July! � Wine & Cheese Tastings � Had enough of the day or just looking for a relaxing atmosphere? Visit the Old Hickory Steakhouse for the latest in wine and cheese pairings. � Golf Clinic at Springhouse Links� � Do you need to straighten out your drive? Try a Springhouse Links golf clinic covering all aspects of the game. � Grand Ole Opry� and Museum Tour � Take a look behind the scenes and learn how the Grand Ole Opry became the cornerstone of country music. Enjoy collectibles from Opry superstars Lorrie Morgan, Garth Brooks, Little Jimmy Dickens, Holly Dunn, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and more! � The Grand Ole Opry Celebrates it�s 80th Anniversary � Come join the spectacular performances by the superstars that have entertained us over the years and made the Grand Ole Opry the landmark it is today. � The Peking Acrobats! performing on The General Jackson�, May 31 through August 21. � Opry Plaza Parties every Friday and Saturday from June 10 through August 12. Catch some of Nashville�s favorite live music, food and beverage under the stars. � Wildhorse Saloon� SummerFest Concert Series � Enjoy a great barbeque meal, catch the best concerts and learn the latest dance steps! SummerFest weekend vacation packages start at $124*. For more details log on to www.gaylordhotels.com or call 1-888-999-OPRY. *Per person based on double occupancy, plus tax and daily resort fees. Other restrictions apply. About Gaylord Opryland Nashville Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center � the largest non-gaming hotel facility in the continental United States � is known for providing superior products and services to the meetings and convention industry. Winner of numerous prestigious awards including the coveted Gold Key Elite Award in 2003 & 2004, Gaylord Opryland Nashville is the flagship property of the Gaylord Hotels brand owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordentertainment.com or www.gaylordopryland.com. Media Relations Contacts: Allison Lanquist, (615) 458-2877, alanquist@gaylordhotels.com Jeffrey Zimmer, (615) 458-2873, jzimmer@gaylordhotels.com Guest Contact: Gaylord Opryland Reservations: 1-888-999-OPRY