Dolly Parton Does More Than Just Dream In The Smokies
As Parton’s theme park, Dollywood celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, the entertainment icon continues to turn her big dreams into reality in her beloved Smoky Mountains.
Dolly’s Homecoming Parade on May 1, 2015 officially kicks off the tourist season and the superstar has a lot of new and exciting things going on to celebrate.
Thousands will gather along the Parkway for the parade in Pigeon Forge and eagerly anticipate what over-the-top, extravagant outfit Dolly will be sporting for the special event. As always, she will be chock full of laughs and smiles for her legions of fans who come from around the world to see her. The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. on River Road in Pigeon Forge near traffic light #7 and will head north on the Parkway and end at traffic light #3.
Dollywood opens for the season on March 21 with Festival of Nations, the largest International Festival in the South, which runs through April 20. This year Festival of Nations will feature music, dance, food and art from Ireland, Argentina, Trinidad, Germany, Equador and more. Beginning on May 21, Dollywood switches gears for its Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival that celebrates all things southern Americana. Through June 7, you can tap your feet at over 250 concerts from some of the best roots musicians in the country and sample authentic, hickory-smoked goodness at this award-winning festival.
New this year is Rock the Smokies, a Christian rock event scheduled for Labor Day weekend in May with popular bands Third Day and For King and Country as headliners. Dollywood is bringing back the Showcase of Stars Concert Series for August and September. Dolly will perform four concerts August 8 & 9 and her good friend Kenny Rogers will perform the final concert of the series. Check back to see the rest of the lineup when it’s announced.
The much anticipated opening of Dolly’s new DreamMore Resort is scheduled for August 18. Room rates start at $179 per night and come theme park specials and benefits. The $300 million luxury resort will offer 307 guest rooms in nine different layouts. Amenities include a restaurant and a 4,000 sq. ft. zero entry outdoor pool with waterfalls and a lazy stream.
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede continues to be a favorite among vacationers and now there’s even more reason to love it. In celebration of Dixie’s 28th Anniversary this year, they’ve unveiled a brand-new show complete with state-of-the-art lighting and special effects. Don’t worry, there’s still a lot of horses, great food, music, fun and games that have made dinner at Dixie Stampede a favorite family tradition. Just get ready for a wonderful new journey into the magical nighttime forest of the Great Smoky Mountains.
