Expanding Truth Traveler Experiences

A few years ago, AiG supporter and businessman Wes Bowen, who owns Mindscape Creative in Tennessee, approached us with the vision for a virtual reality experience at the Ark Encounter. As a result, we partnered with Wes to see this become a reality, and it’s been very popular.

Wes then challenged us to consider increasing our vision and taking a VR experience to major tourist areas. After a few years of research and prayer, the Lord led us to an extremely strategic location in Pigeon Forge (opposite the Ferris wheel at The Island family fun center and on the Parkway—the main strip that runs through Pigeon Forge).

In partnership with Mindscape Creative, we are bringing not only a 5D VR ride (experience) to Pigeon Forge (where millions of tourists visit each year) but also a state-of-the-art laser projection planetarium experience. We are producing a brand-new VR program (totally different from the one at the Ark) and a new planetarium program for this venture.

We contracted with a theming company, Kingdom Productions in Cincinnati, to theme the inside and outside of the building to make this a world-class attraction. A local contractor and local architect (George W. Reagan Company, George Armour Ewart Architect) are doing a tremendous job to complete this project quickly.

The large sign that already exists outside the building will be changed to an LED sign that can be clearly seen from both directions to advertise this attraction as people travel on the Parkway.

On Saturday, a number of our supporters in the local area, along with the mayor and city manager for Pigeon Forge, gathered with us to officially break ground for the renovation/construction to begin.

Opening is estimated for sometime in March 2025.

Additionally, Mindscape Creative has purchased a theater in Branson, Missouri, and has asked Answers in Genesis to partner with them to bring another VR experience there along with some other exciting things we are working on. This is also scheduled to open in March 2025. Much more to come on the Branson outreach!

All of this will enable Answers in Genesis to impact millions of people in these two major tourist areas, and of course there will be exhibits to promote the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum.

To us, it’s all part of the great commission.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.