All photos are courtesy of DollyParton.com.
Dolly Parton reunited with her fellow cast members on the red carpet at Dollywood to celebrate the premiere of Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love.
The all-star cast including Dolly Parton, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, Alyvia Alyn Lind, and many more made their way down the red carpet along Dollywood’s Showstreet. Dolly greeted her fans and members of the media alongside Alyvia Alyn Lind who plays Little Dolly. When asked what the "Little Dolly" inside her would have to say about all the excitement of the night Dolly said,
"I still feel like that little girl, that's why I wanted Little Dolly, little Alyvia Lind, to be with me because it's really kind of like going back in time...I feel like Mama and Daddy is kind of right here with us, and it's very touching, and it's very emotional."
Jennifer Nettles shined as she talked about her role as Avie Lee. As Ricky Schroeder made his way down the red carpet, he shared his excitement to see the new film along with his fellow co-stars. Cameron Jones, a young New Zealand-born actor, was cast as Dolly's Uncle Bill Owens. Cameron joked to reporters about living up to his real-life counterpart's stellar good looks which have been something of a family treasure among the Partons.
Kelli Berglund, Mary Lane Haskell, Hannah Nordberg, Forrest Deal, Blane Crockarell along with many more stars from the film were on hand to pose for photos and talk to reporters from around the country. Several of Dolly's family were also in attendance including her Uncle Bill, many of her brothers and sisters, several nieces and nephews, and other members of her extended family.
The event also drew a few Hollywood A-list stars including Rebecca Romijn and her husband, Jerry O'Connell. Rebecca is a huge Dolly Parton fan, so much so that she named her daughter after Dolly. Little Dolly Rebecca and her sister Charlie Tamara were there sharing their excitement to be at Dollywood for the premiere of the film.
The park was open for general admission attendees as well who were delighted to catch a glimpse of some of their favorite stars from the film. Many of them had stood behind the red velvet ropes for well over four hours in anticipation of Dolly's arrival along with the other stars of the new film.
The Coca-Cola Refresh Team brought the Coca-Cola Polar Bear to make photos for guests in attendance. Coca-Cola also offered special holiday beverage samplings.
Once the red carpet activities commenced, everyone gathered inside Dollywood's Showstreet Palace theater to watch "Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love."
Following the film viewing, the cast and special VIPs enjoyed hor d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages around Dolly’s Chasing Rainbows Museum. Everyone was treated to Dollywood's all new Parade of Many Colors at the end of the night.
Last December, just in time for Christmas, Dolly delighted viewers and critics alike with her deeply heartwarming tale drawn straight from her inspiring real life and music. In the all-new holiday sequel, the Partons, a family of humble means living in the mountains of Tennessee, face a devastating event that challenges their will. But when they experience a bewildering Christmas miracle, the Partons are drawn closer together than ever - with deepened faith and love for one another.
"Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love" airs on November 30 on NBC at 9/8c.
Dollywood becomes Hollywood on Tuesday, Nov. 22, complete with red carpet arrivals, media interviews and special viewing areas for guests, as Dolly Parton has invited the cast from her new NBC movie, "Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love," to visit the park for the worldwide premiere.
Dollywood adds another operating day to its 2016 calendar to allow park guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see behind-the-scenes of a real Hollywood premiere. Dollywood opens from 2-9 p.m. on this special day, providing a sneak peek at the festivities which include red carpet arrivals and more!
The premiere event begins at 5 p.m. with red carpet arrivals following. Dolly and cast of the new film will make their way down the red carpet along Dollywood’s Showstreet as media from across the country cover the action.
The Coca-Cola Refresh Team brings the Coca-Cola Polar Bear to make photos for guests in attendance. Coca-Cola also offers special holiday beverage samplings during the event.
Guests at the premiere also can enjoy Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, the nine-time award winner for Best Christmas Event. Two new holiday shows and four million dazzling Christmas lights combine with the park’s award-winning rides, delectable holiday dishes and heart-warming Christmas atmosphere for a delightful yuletide experience.
Smoky Mountain Christmas guests can upgrade a paid one-day admission ticket to a regular 2017 season pass for as low as $27 (plus tax when buying four or more).
Visit Dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD for more information, including operating days and hours, daily show schedule and more helpful tips to help plan a visit.
Coming off a record year which featured the best new attraction of 2016, Lightning Rod, as well as the successful first anniversary of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, The Dollywood Company continues to provide more unique experiences at each of its family-friendly properties.
Two new family rides debut this summer at Dollywood providing thrilling new adventures for guests. The first is Drop Line, a 200-foot tall free-fall experience that towers over Timber Canyon and provides an incredible view of the park before its exhilarating finish. The drop tower ride lifts Dollywood guests nearly 20 stories above the Canyon’s pool, before plummeting them back to the ground in a thrilling rush. Also new is Whistle Punk Chaser, a junior coaster which throws exciting twists and turns at Dollywood’s younger loggers, helping prepare them for the day they can join their parents aboard the award-winning Thunderhead wooden coaster. Dolly said,
“As everybody already knows, family is very important to me. These days, there doesn’t seem to be enough time for families to be together, whether you’re a just a couple like me and Carl or you have 12 kids like my family did growing up. That’s why we continue to add all these new rides and shows for families to experience together."
Dolly continued,
“We have something for everyone, but even more important, we have something for you AND your family. We’re adding so much this year; I’m calling 2017 ‘the year of the family!’”
In addition to the new attractions, families have two engaging new events to experience 2017. Just in time for families enjoying spring break, the park will introduce enra, a Tokyo-based dance company featured on "America’s Got Talent" in 2015. The group wowed audiences with their high-energy multi-media dance, light and video fusion show. Interactive video and lights combine with the talented performers to create a unique, cutting-edge experience for guests.
In October, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival adds the spectacular GREAT! Pumpkin LumiNights event. This nighttime event immerses families in fabulous fall pumpkin illumination. Additionally, a new pumpkin trail comes to life after dark with a number of spectacular pumpkin displays glowing with the fire of fall. The festival also includes the Southern Gospel Jubilee which brings in the greatest Southern gospel talent around. Gene Scherrer, Dollywood Vice-President and General Manager said.
“We are really excited about adding the GREAT! Pumpkin LumiNights to our Harvest event. We’ve created a number of impressive displays that will light up the night and allow us to add some new experiences for families to enjoy the fun of fall in a uniquely Dollywood way.”
The company also recently announced the addition of TailSpin Racer, a multi-lane, mat-racer-style slide to Dollywood’s Splash Country for 2017. The parks’ 2017 additions are all part of the $300 million investment in Dollywood which Dolly announced in 2013.
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.
As the leaves change in the Great Smoky Mountains, one of the area’s most beautiful places to be is Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration presented by Humana, Sept. 30- Oct. 29.
Dollywood proudly hosts the best in Southern gospel music with an impressive lineup of talent sure to inspire park guests. The soul-stirring sounds of beautiful harmonies ring through the crisp autumn air with free daily concerts on the park’s various stages. Dolly Parton said,
“It’s no secret I love singing about the beauty of God’s coloring book and viewing the bright fall colors of the Great Smoky Mountains on His pages is so very inspiring. When you mix in all of that great Southern gospel talent, including Sandi Patty, this truly is a great time of year to visit my Dollywood.”
Five-time Grammy Award winner Sandi Patty, who is in her final year of touring, headlines this year’s festival with concerts Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Guests can see a number of returning Dollywood favorites including Guy Penrod (Oct. 14-15), The McKameys (Oct.7-8), Karen Peck & New River (Oct.19-20), The Isaacs (Oct. 5-6), Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (Oct. 16-17) and Gold City (Oct. 21-22). Sandi Patty said,
“It is such an honor for me to be performing at Dollywood for this year’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration. The vision that the legendary Dolly Parton has created in her theme park and Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort is evident in the meaningful entertainment that is constantly offered."
Sandi went on to say,
"It is such a special opportunity to spend a few days at Dollywood during my Farewell Tour. I look forward to sharing some of the most well-known songs that I’ve had the privilege of singing in my career. We’re going to have a great time together in worship.”
Guy Penrod, a guest-favorite for a number of years, greatly anticipates his annual visit to the park each fall. Guy exclaimed,
“I love Dollywood. It’s probably the most beautiful setting for a theme park that you can imagine. I admire their love for gospel music and am thankful for the freedom to perform there.”
Many other artists take to the stage throughout the festival including special concerts on the Praise 96.3 FM and Singing News stages. Dollywood’s own Kingdom Heirs also play prominently throughout the festival. Incredibly, guests can experience more than 350 concerts, all free with park admission, during the festival.
View the complete Southern gospel concert schedule
Additionally, Dollywood’s own master craftsmen are joined by more than 40 visiting artisans from around the country. Daily craft demonstrations illustrate how many of America’s vital products were made for centuries.
Dollywood’s master craftsmen make a multitude of beautiful handmade products from glass ornaments and glazed pottery to decorative candles and rustic knives. Among the visiting crafters, Dollywood guests can observe during the National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration are banjo and fiddle making, loom weaving, rug hooking, basket weaving, paper marbling, felt hat making and much more. Products for purchase also include dulcimers, various forms of jewelry, chainsaw carving, bentwood boxes, stained glass artwork and more.
Finally, Dollywood perfectly captures the essence of fall with perfectly-themed menus which take advantage of the crops from a bountiful autumn harvest. Special food locations feature various recipes including fresh apples, fried green tomatoes and much more. New this year is a special harvest treat cooked on Dollywood’s famous Big Skillets. The harvest version features smoked sausage, potatoes, sweet potatoes, green and red peppers, and onions.
Guests also can attend worship services each Sunday during the festival at Dollywood’s Robert F. Thomas Chapel. Named in honor of the doctor who delivered little Dolly Rebecca Parton, the one-room country church reminds guests of a simpler time. Park visitors also can attend chapel services, which take place throughout the regular operating season at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday.
Each day is a picture-perfect opportunity to enjoy the traditional experiences of a Smoky Mountain harvest!
Learn more about Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration
