Dollywood celebrates a Star-Spangled Summer as part of its ongoing Summer Celebration (now-Aug. 5) which features extended park hours—10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily—as well as a nightly fireworks extravaganza and a number of patriotic events to help guests enjoy family, fun and freedom during their time making memories at the park.
Thursdays in July, Dollywood and WIVK team up to present America’s New Faces of Country, a special concert series featuring several country music stars on the rise. These shows provide park guests a special opportunity to catch these artists as they begin working their way up the country charts.
At Dollywood’s shows during Star-Spangled Summer, the park plans to recognize service members in the audience for their dedication to protecting our country. Additionally, several of those same shows will include a number of patriotic songs for guests to enjoy.
Thanks to the American Eagle Foundation (AEF), park guests also have the opportunity to meet one of America’s greatest symbols of freedom, the bald eagle. On select days in July, staff members from the AEF host meet-and-greet sessions throughout the day with several of their featured bald eagles at the Plaza at Wilderness Pass.
During the day, guests can enjoy the talents of iLuminate, a thrilling show with dazzling lights and color by way of electrified glow-in-the-dark costumes which create a unique fusion of dynamic dance routines and illusions. By night, visitors can enjoy a light show of a different kind as each evening during Summer Celebration ends with Dolly’s Nights of Many Colors, a stirring fireworks extravaganza synchronized to music.
iLuminate, finalists on "America’s Got Talent" in 2011, performs July 7-21. In addition to their third place result on AGT, iLuminate has toured the world from Egypt to Malaysia and has appeared on shows like "Dancing with the Stars", "X-Factor", "Good Morning America" and "Ellen". The group launched in 2009 and patented the mesmerizing technology used in their shows. They’ve performed alongside stars like Christina Aguilera, The Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta and more, and are excited to bring their talent to Dollywood.
While Dollywood guests have an amazing amount of entertainment options to enjoy during their visit, they also can experience the park’s award-winning rides in a completely different environment. Once the sun sets, Dollywood’s trademark attractions, like Wild Eagle, Lightning Rod and Thunderhead, provide a unique experience for those who climb aboard. These rides thrill guests who race through the summer night with no idea which way the track will turn next!
Star Spangled Summer from Dollywood on Vimeo.
For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit Dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) says bald eagles Eleanor and Roosevelt became first-time parents seven weeks ago. Both showed remarkable skills as they learned to care for their eaglets, and ER2 and ER3. The eaglets grew strong and healthy under their care.
On May 30, 2017, with great care, the eaglets received a physical examination. Afterward, they were taken to the AEF Hack Tower overlooking Douglas Lake. At approximately 13 weeks of age, they will be released into the Great Smoky Mountains.
At the Hack Tower, they will be together inside their new 8’ x 8’ x 8’ nesting compartment. There they will acclimate to their new home surrounded by trees in the natural lake setting. A few years after their release, it’s possible, they could return with a mate to raise babies of their own.
While in this lake setting, the eaglets will not come into contact with humans. AEF caregivers will be there, unknown to the eaglets each day. They will provide fresh food and water (through sliding drawers) and make sure the eaglets are doing well.
The AEF’s hacking program has resulted in the release of 150 young bald eagles and 12 golden eagles from 1992 through 2016.
Plan a visit to Dollywood and see Eagle Mountain Sanctuary
Dollywood and the AEF will hold ceremonies for American Eagle Day on June 17, 2017.
Visit American Eagle Foundation to learn more.
In July 1990, Dolly Parton announced the construction of a major eagle complex at Dollywood. The five-part complex includes Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, the country’s largest living showcase of American bald eagles; the Wings of America theater, featuring a birds of prey show; the neighboring Birds of Prey viewing facility added in 2008 which showcases raptors from the show; and an eagle breeding and rehabilitation facility which includes an eagle medical clinic and nursery that is not open to the public. Eagle Mountain Sanctuary and the Wings of America theater have entertained and educated Dollywood visitors since its April 1991 debut. As a matter of fact, one of the most often asked questions of Dollywood guests upon entering the park is, "Where are the eagles?"
The eagle complex is a cooperative effort between Dollywood and the AEF, a non-profit organization with permits from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to possess, care for, exhibit, rehabilitate and breed birds of prey.
Dolly appeared on July 2, 2003, at the National Zoo to receive the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service for her work with the American Eagle Foundation to preserve bald eagles. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Steve Griles presented the award.
The non-profit American Eagle Foundation is headquartered at Dollywood theme park and is a non-governmental leader in the preservation of the American eagles. Dolly spoke about her passion for preserving bald eagles at the ceremony,
“Bald eagles have symbolized our country's freedom and heritage for more than 220 years... We are excited and proud that Dollywood and the American Eagle Foundation are donating these two majestic birds to the National Zoo and are playing a special role in dedicating this new eagle exhibit celebrating America's National Wildlife Refuge System."
In addition to receiving the award, Dolly participated in the opening of the bald eagle refuge exhibit at the Smithsonian National Zoo, the ribbon cutting ceremony, and donated two bald eagles to the exhibit (Sam and Tioga). Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and National Zoo Director Lucy Spelman were also present.
