Participants in the Light the Way 5K Walk/Run will see Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival in a new light - actually four million lights - as the theme park hosts this special event for a fifth year on Friday, Nov. 11 beginning at 11 p.m.
Light the Way 5K participants are treated to a unique course decorated by the park’s four million Christmas lights, beginning their journey at Dollywood’s groups’ entrance, traversing through the parking lot and then winding through the theme park. David Owenby, Director of the Share It Forward program said,
"The beauty of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival combined with the challenge of a course that only a theme park can provide makes this Light the Way 5K a one-of-a-kind event for runners and walkers."
Lisa Bryant, Executive Director of Keep Sevier Beautiful added,
"But most importantly, this event helps provide our non-profit organizations with financial assistance just before the holidays."
The race will be chip timed and managed by Scenic City Multi-Sports, which also will be offering free photos to all participants to download, tweet and share on Facebook. Awards will be presented to the top three overall for male and female participants. The top three finalists in each age division receive hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments custom-made for the event by Dollywood’s master glassblower.
Pre-registration is encouraged for the Light the Way 5K as the race is limited to 2,500 participants. Early registration between Sept. 2 - Oct. 15 is $32; regular registration and race day fee is $35. Race day registration takes place from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.
Light the Way 5K Online Registration
Proceeds from the event benefit Keep Sevier Beautiful (KSB) and the Share It Forward (SIF) program at Dollywood. KSB, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is a volunteer-based organization, which focuses on waste reduction/recycling, litter prevention and beautifying public spaces through education and community-based programs. KSB’s goal is to protect the natural beauty of the area that millions of visitors come to see each year. SIF is a non-profit charity established for the purpose of raising and using funds to assist The Dollywood Company employees and their families in times of need. The program is funded through employee donations, which are matched dollar for dollar by The Dollywood Company and, up to specified limits, by the shareholders of Herschend Family Entertainment, the park’s operating partner.
For more information visit Light the Way 5K or call (865) 428-9860.
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana has long been known as one of the world’s best holiday theme park events. Dolly Parton unveiled plans for an awe-inspiring new parade—dreamed up as only she can—which will add even more excitement to this family-favorite festival.
Like her new NBC holiday movie, "Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love," Dolly’s new parade celebrates the fun, faith, family and harmony of the holidays. Vibrant floats, interactive characters and a few other surprises help spread cheer throughout Dollywood this holiday season. Smiling, Dolly said,
“The joy I feel during the Christmas season makes my heart sing because of the love and sweet Christmas memories I have of family and friends from when I was a child.”
She continued by saying,
“Christmas is the time of year when traditions, faith and family come together to create experiences we all remember forever. That is why my new movie and this parade are so important for me. I truly believe The Parade of Many Colors will inspire some of those same lifelong memories for the families who see it.”
The Parade of Many Colors represents another significant investment made by The Dollywood Company as part of the $300 million investment strategy announced in 2013. The company also recently announced the addition of TailSpin Racer to Dollywood’s Splash Country for 2017.
Dollywood has added two days to its calendar, December 6 and 13, to provide guests more time to experience the eight-time winner for Best Christmas Event. One of Dollywood’s greatest entertainment offerings is remastered in 2016, as "Christmas in the Smokies," returns to its traditional home at D.P.’s Celebrity Theater. Guests can celebrate the joy of the season while a cast of singers and dancers performs hometown holiday favorites while accompanied by a band of live musicians!
Dollywood’s entertainment team brings a Christmas classic to life with the debut of "It’s a Wonderful Life." Based on the timeless holiday story of love and generosity, small town businessman George Bailey discovers the true value of life, family and friends with a little help from his guardian angel, Clarence.
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas begins November 5, 2016.
Preview image courtesy of Curtis Hilbun.
Dolly Parton reminisces about her first (and only) Christmas away from home and her family. She remembers being lonely and hungry and how she found comfort helping out at The Salvation Army. Dolly said,
"But anyhow this particular Christmas I remember feeling so lonesome and so lonely. I knew I didn't have the money to go home."
Watch this Yahoo! Music exclusive video as Dolly talks about being broke, serving food at The Salvation Army and how some special friends made her feel like she was with family.
Growing up in the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly and her brothers and sisters learned how to be resourceful. Dolly recalls one Christmas Eve when the Parton kids had a plan to send Santa Claus a message.
They decided to set a huge Christmas Eve bonfire so he could find their house. Dolly said,
“Well, it got to be Christmas Eve, it got to be getting dark so we set out to set our big bonfire so Santa could find us.”
Watch the Taste of Country Video Exclusive: Dolly Parton's Christmas Eve Bonfire to see her parents’ surprised reactions.
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Also, watch "Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors" starring Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder and Gerald McRaney. The new film airs on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 9/8c on NBC.
Dolly sings about a coat her mother made for her in her song, "Coat of Many Colors." The song is the focus of a new NBC movie of the same name. In this exclusive video shared by Country Music Nation/Country Rebel, Dolly tells what happened when she tried to return the favor to her mother. Find out how this shopping trip did not go as she planned. Dolly says,
"I thought it would only be right for me to buy Momma a mink coat."
"Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors" stars Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder and Gerald McRaney. It airs on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 9/8c on NBC.
