Jim Varney himself sang the song "Gee I'm Glad It's Raining" in a single take. Reportedly, when he finished performing the song, there wasn't a single dry eye on set.
In the last week of filming while shooting the battle scene, the state park booked another group, a Quaker retreat. The state park said they had to get permission from the Quakers, who are known for their pacifism. John R. Cherry III and the producer had a long meeting with the Quaker elders. They left and the Quakers prayed and discussed their request. After an hour, they emerged: "You have our permission with one requirement, we get to be in the movie". The battle scene was mainly cast using the Quakers and the Dickson, Tennessee Volunteer Fire Department.
Lyle Alzado broke Jim Varney's nose by mistake during the fight scene. Jim said the crack you hear in the movie wasn't added later.
Most of Jim Varney's dialogue is improvised.
Jim Varney didn't want to make this film for fear of being typecast, and he went on a fairly steep bender in the days before production began - though he was, of course, a complete pro on set.