On May 27, 2008, Belle Island Village celebrated its Topping Off Ceremony. The ceremony took place on the island with the raising of the highest piece of steel for the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Museum.

A number of familiar Hollywood faces, as well as Pigeon Forge dignitaries were on hand to witness the massive beam being hoisted to the top of the riverboat, which will house the highly anticipated Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Museum. Some of the attendees included, Debbie Reynolds and her son Todd Fisher. Also in attendance was Jeff Hammond, Darrell Waltrip’s crew chief, along with Pigeon Forge Mayor Keith Whaley and Pigeon Forge City Manager Earlene Teaster. All 400 invitees were asked to sign the beam before it was lifted. A jovial jazz band and excellent cuisine added to the day’s festivities.

May 27, 2008 was much more than a celebration for those in attendance; it was a landmark for all of those who have been working so hard to make Belle Island Village a reality. Glen Bilbo, General Manager of Belle Island Village said, “ We’re excited to be moving at full steam to prepare for Belle Island Village’s opening this fall.”

The Topping Off Custom

The topping off ceremony as we know it today originated around 700 A.D. in Scandinavia. There, people believed that the gods and the spirits of their ancestors lived in the trees the people used to build shelters. Early Scandinavian builders sought to prevent the homeless spirits from becoming angry and cursing their work by placing a tree atop each new building, an offering of a new home for the displaced spirits.

The placing of an offering tree was accompanied by ceremonies and celebrations usually culminating in the pouring of wine at the foot of the tree and the sharing of food. This assured the building and the occupant’s good luck and the gods’ favor.

Today, a non-religious but formal ceremony is often held to commemorate this milestone in the construction of a building. Tradesman on the job usually join in the celebration as well as the supervisors, representatives of the architecture and engineering firms, the owner or representatives of the owning organization, donors, and any VIPs that are invited.

While the ceremony itself has no standard agenda, it usually includes the placing of an evergreen tree upon the structure to symbolize growth and bring luck. State and/or national flags are often raised atop the structure. It usually takes place during lunch time and can include food and entertainment. Prior to the ceremony, anyone attending is allowed to sign the highest piece of steel. The height of the ceremony takes place when the piece of steel is lifted into place. After the ceremony is over, the piece of steel will eventually be secured.

Belle Island Village invites all guests to sign the beam prior to the 2:00 PM start of the Celebration