Once again, the Smoky Mountain songbird will act as the Grand Marshal of the Annual Homecoming Parade given in her honor. Over 50,000 people are expected to line the route.
The line-up includes beautiful floats, lively marching bands, entertainers, veterans and more. Dolly will sit atop a specially designed float and wave to everyone in attendance.
This year, in honor of the grand opening of Smoky Mountain Adventures and in celebration of the 30th Anniversary at Dixie Stampede, eager parade watchers will have the chance to win tickets to both shows!
See Dolly’s Dinner Shows Giveaway
Before the parade starts, Dollywood and Smoky Mountain Adventures Dinner & Show have special Grand Opening events planned. Dolly will welcome everyone to a special show at Smoky Mountain Adventures. As a bonus, portions of that event will be live streamed on Facebook.
Visitors should arrive early to get a good spot. The parade will start at 6 PM. It begins at traffic light #6 and it will head toward Sevierville to traffic light #3 along the main parkway in Pigeon Forge, TN.
In past years, Dolly’s parade floats have featured some of Dollywood’s newest attractions including Mystery Mine, Wild Eagle, and FireChaser Express. This year will mark the parade debut of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures. Also, Dixie Stampede will celebrate their 30th anniversary in Pigeon Forge, TN.
In 2013, Dolly Parton promised to deliver $300 million in expansion investments over 10 years to her Smoky Mountain businesses. Part of that plan included the 2015 opening of Dollywood's DreamMore Resort. The resort had been a dream of Dolly’s since first opening the park back in 1986.
In addition to the resort, two award-winning Dollywood roller coasters were built and a new dinner theater opened in Pigeon Forge. Current aspects of the investment plan include two new events and two family attractions coming to Dollywood. Dollywood's Splash Country is also expanding. This summer guests can expect to enjoy a new five-story tall family racing slide called TailSpin Racer.
With the current level and pace of investment, Dolly and her talented team will exceed $300 million in investments well ahead of their original timeline. Craig Ross, Dollywood President said,
“Our financial successes are based on our loyal customers and new consumers who have been sampling Dollywood thanks to smart investment and solid marketing. We will continue to fulfill Dolly's dreams and will continue to expand our lodging and entertainment offerings as the Great Smoky Mountains becomes a year-round destination."
A study commissioned in 2013 to project Dollywood's economic impact and future growth put its impact at $1.1 billion annually, creating more than 12,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs to the region. It was projected that Dollywood's 10-year investment would create 2,500 additional direct, indirect and induced jobs in the area and would pay $7 million in additional state and local taxes.
An updated study was conducted by Dr. Burton English and his team at The University of Tennessee. Results show Dollywood has already exceeded the projected levels after setting earnings records in each of the previous five years. Dollywood's impact is projected to exceed $1.84 billion annually. Also, the company expects to create more than 23,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs in the region.
Dollywood celebrated opening day on March 18 with the park’s annual Festival of Nations. The 2017 season is known as the “Year of the Family.” Dollywood will devote the year to creating getaway opportunities for families to make lasting memories and continue traditions.
Explore Dollywood’s "Year of the Family”
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The "world’s friendliest park" is set to celebrate 2017 and "The Year of the Family!" When visiting Dollywood, friends and families can enjoy more than 40 rides as well as 15 outstanding shows. The park also features five of the South's largest festivals and plenty of Southern-style dining!
The exciting 2017 season starts on opening day, March 18. Dollywood's Festival of Nations (March 18 - April 9) displays the most captivating entertainment from around the world. Park visitors can sample a celebration of music, dance, food and art. Many guests are excited about the return of Mother Africa. This amazing show combines skillful acrobatics, modern and traditional dance, comedy and colorful costumes, all set to the music of a renowned live band.
Slask, one of Europe’s most prominent folk dance and music ensembles will perform at Showstreet Palace Theater. Hodman & Sally from the country of "Oblivia" will stroll the park and pose for photos. Husband and wife duo, Dearbhail Finnegan and Robin Slater will bring their Irish harp and flute duo to the Back Porch Theater. Other acts include Streichmusik Alder, Invaders Steel Orchestra and Kelly Shipe!
This summer, Gazillion Bubbles Show returns to Dollywood’s Summer (June 17 - Aug. 6)! Guests visiting during this time can enjoy extended hours and nightly fireworks. Plus, Parade of Many Colors will return during Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 4 - Jan. 1, 2018).
New additions include Great Pumpkin Luminights during the Harvest Festival (Sept. 29-Oct. 28). Also, enra, a Japanese performance art company, will perform during Spring Break (April 10-22).
Festival of Nations: March 18 - April 9
Barbeque & Bluegrass: May 26 - June 4
Spring Break Featuring enra: April 10 - 22
Dollywood Summer (Extended Hours & Nightly Fireworks): June 17 - Aug. 6
Harvest Festival Featuring Great Pumpkin Luminights: Sept. 29 - Oct. 28
Smoky Mountain Christmas: Nov. 4 - Jan. 1, 2018
Drop Line
Whistle Punk Chaser
TailSpin Racer
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins
In 2017, Dollywood’s "The Year of the Family" offers 250 days of memory-making fun starting March 18! Visit Dollywood.com for dates & hours, show schedules and to get your season passes.
By 1985, Dolly was a CMA, ACM and GRAMMY award-winning artist. Her acting career was flourishing with blockbuster hits such as "9 to 5" and she had earned her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Dolly had reached superstar status. Yet, to the surprise of many, she dreamed of home and the people living there. Her vision, to build a place where her success would be enjoyed by many for generations and generations to come.
Most folks have heard how Dollywood got its name. On one of her first trips to California, Dolly fantasized about changing the H to a D in the iconic Hollywood sign. But what about her vision for the actual park. What motivated the young star to invest so much of herself back home in the mountains of East Tennessee? The answer is simple, Dolly loves her people, her home and everything about her heritage that helped shape her into not just the star but the person she became. A kind, generous, real soul who knows where she is going and loves where she came from.
In her autobiography, "Dolly My Life and Other Unfinished Business" Dolly reflected on why she wanted to open Dollywood. She said,
"The theme park is much more about the mountains and the culture of the people who live there than it is about Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton simply happens to be the most famous hillbilly from those particular hills, and a lot of people are curious about me and my life. There is plenty there to satisfy that curiosity, but there is also plenty that celebrates the spirit of a people who made a life for themselves in that very stingy countryside. These are my real people, the seed from which I sprang. I saw Dollywood as a chance to honor them."
Despite naysayers, the park was nearly an overnight success. The 1986 grand opening saw around 10,000 guests pass through the gates. Five months later, the park welcomed its one millionth visitor. Today, Dollywood sees 2.5 million visitors per year. That number hits 4 million when combined with other Dollywood properties such as Splash Country and Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. In 2013, Dolly and the Dollywood Company announced a 10-year, $300 million expansion plan. The plan included the 300-room resort which opened in 2015.
While the guest experience is at the center of the “world’s friendliest park” the people are still the heartbeat. The Dollywood Company now employs over 3000 people. In her book, published in 1994, Dolly wrote,
“I love the fact that I am able to give something back and provide so many people with jobs where none existed before. Of course, the Great Smoky Mountains were there for a couple of million years before I came along, and they are still the main attraction in the area, which is as it should be. If Dollywood can give some people a little extra incentive to visit there, then I am absolutely tickled.”
Perhaps Dolly’s sentiment for her people is best expressed in the words to her song, "My People, My Home" the opening number at Dollywood’s My People show.
These are my mountains, these are my valleys,
these are my rivers flowing like a song.
These are my people, these are my memories,
These are my mountains, this is my home.
"My People, My Home" - By Dolly Parton
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Dollywood opens March 18, 2017! This year, the park will unveil two new rides, Drop Line and Whistle Punk Chaser, and Dollywood’s Splash Country will debut TailSpin Racer later this summer.
Visit Dollywood.com to see upcoming festivals, events and more!
This winter, Dollywood is vigorously working through a 250-point check list of both small and large projects. These range from total renovations of some areas to adding a fresh coat of paint to others. All total, $8-9 million is being invested at Dollywood and $2.5 million at Splash Country making it one of the busiest off-seasons the parks have ever seen.
Notable renovations include a total transformation of Backstage Restaurant to what will become Front Porch Café. Guest are also in for a treat with a newly remodeled Rainbow Blown Glass shop which will become Mountain Blowing Glass. The new configuration will allow for two glass-blowing artisans to work at the same time. Visitors can enjoy a new area dedicated to making their own ornaments where items will be available to take home the same day.
More renovations are taking place in Timber Canyon. Lumberjack Pizza will remain a staple dining option with some noticeable modifications to make for faster ordering and more choices. The pathway to Timber Canyon has been widened and scenic features have been added to make the trek more enjoyable. Brian Dudash, Dollywood Vice-President of Maintenance & Construction commented on the wide scope of projects going on simultaneously. He said,
“One minute you are talking about blowing glass equipment and the next thing is a freestyle machine in a restaurant then we’re talking about the foundation on our new ride. It’s a variety of stuff and it’s challenging but that’s what makes it fun too!”
The winter renovations and maintenance tasks are taking place now while work is also beginning on the new attractions coming to Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country this summer. Drop Line and Whistle Punk Chaser will be added in Timber Canyon at Dollywood. TailSpin Racer will be unveiled at Splash Country later this season.
Visit Dollywood.com for more on opening dates, tickets and upcoming festivals.
