Dollywood took home top honors in several categories at the 2007 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo. "The Great American Country Show" won the prestigious Heartbeat Award during the Big E Awards ceremony. This was the second consecutive year Dollywood claimed the Heartbeat Award; "Dreamland Drive-In" won the honor the previous year.
The Heartbeat Award recognizes the show that demonstrates superior overall ability in reaching the hearts of its audience. Candidates are judged on the commitment of the cast, the quality and content of the production and the effectiveness on the part of the producing organization in seeking to create a special connection with its audience.
She raised her right hand and recited the Girl Scout promise with the Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council. In a ceremony held at Dollywood, she received her very own sash and 30 badges. The badges highlight her accomplishments in community service, theater, art, literacy, songwriting, and environmental advocacy among other areas. Becoming a Girl Scout was a dream come true. She said,
“This great honor lets me live out a dream and to be part of an organization that stands for many of the same values I do and Dollywood does.”
Glenda McCarter-Johnson attended Sevier County High School with Dolly. She is now president of Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council. The two friends were in the 4-H Club together.
Knowing Dolly’s dream of joining the organization and her exemplary life, Glenda knew Dolly would make a great Girl Scout. Glenda said,
“Dolly realizes the importance of a program that helps girls grow into young women of courage and confidence.”
Scripps Network property, Great American Country (GAC) is one of the fastest growing cable networks. GAC and Dollywood partnered to create the park’s newest live stage show. This new show featured original programming, special musical performances and live concerts by country music’s most popular stars and legends.
Thirty-foot-wide video screens above the stage allowed hosts from GAC’s most popular shows to introduce each show segment and interact with the stage shows performers. Various GAC cable programs define the performance segments including GAC’s "Top Twenty" hosted by Nan Kelley; "Edge of Country" hosted by Kylie Harris; "The Year" hosted by Mark Wills; and "Master Series" host Bill Cody.
Visitors to Dolly’s water park, Dollywood’s Splash Country, enjoyed new serenity and tranquility with a splash of adventure at The Cascades™, the water park’s new $2.8 million leisure pool. Dolly said,
"The Cascades takes me back to my childhood when me and my brothers and sisters were lucky enough to discover a little mountain cove where we could cool off from the summertime heat. We’d keep that swimming hole a secret as long as we could, but I’m looking forward to sharing The Cascades with everybody!"
The Cascades featured a lagoon-style, 8,000-sq-ft., beach-entry pool. Surrounded by the lush landscaping of trees and plants, the pool’s centerpiece is a waterfall that spills from a giant rock grotto. With 25 interactive elements, The Cascades includes four slides that weave throughout the grotto. In addition, guests are able to feel the refreshing effects of 20-foot water sprays from a geyser situated on the pool’s edge. A contoured seating area offers a respite from the activity. Younger guests discovered a series of small coves around the pool’s perimeter filled with slides, misters and bubblers.
Dolly’s love for the Smoky Mountains was shown again at Dollywood with the addition of the Mystery Mine steel coaster. Dolly, dressed as a mountain miner, announced to crowds that through a first rider auction more than $35,000 was raised to benefit her Imagination Library.
The new Mystery Mine ride takes riders through an abandoned mine and tells the story of superstitions believed by Smoky Mountain miners. Dolly said,
"I've had to keep my big mouth shut about the Mystery Mine, but I can tell you, it's the most exciting thing to come out of these hills in a long, long time. And I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve for this ride that I'm not telling you about, but I can guarantee you they're well worth the wait!"
The "tricks" Dolly referred to are a 1,811-foot track featuring a hair-raising 95-degree, 85-foot vertical drop as one of its many maneuvers.
