Hundreds of performers, crafts and international food highlighted Dollywood’s five-week celebration, Festival of Nations. Dolly said she was excited to see this festival return for its fourth year,
"I've been fortunate enough to have traveled the world, and Festival of Nations is an opportunity for Dollywood to bring a world of entertainment to the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a chance for everyone to experience and enjoy some of the beautiful sights and sounds I've discovered in my many journeys."
From Ireland to Ecuador, Trinidad, China, Russia and Germany, Dollywood guests were mesmerized by the music, dance, art and food from around the globe. The cultural exchange between festival participants and Dollywood guests was one of the most fascinating elements of Festival of Nations.
The Market Square Bazaar, featured items of international origin. Dolly’s theme park also invited a non-profit to join the festival. Ten Thousand Villages is a self-supporting fair trade organization that provides vital, fair income in developing countries by marketing the people’s handicrafts and telling their stories. Thirty-two developing countries were represented with items for sale during the festival.
Dollywood theme park opened for the 2003 season with more than 300 performers from 14 countries around the globe. Dolly was looking forward to another year with Festival of Nations ushering in the new season at her park. She said,
“Music is a universal language. In my travels around the world, I have found that people are drawn to music. Whether or not you understand the words music touches the heart in a way that unites us all. It is the ambassador of our world, and the most beautiful language ever spoken.”
New in 2003, Dollywood celebrated the cuisines of the world with an International Food Faire which showcased an incredible variety of foods on six continents. International Food Faire provided guests the opportunity to "travel" from continent to continent and country to country in mere steps.
Dollywood's Festival of Nations kicked off its first year with over 300 performers and artisans. Dolly has learned a lot from her travels around the world and she wanted to share those same lessons with the folks back home in East Tennessee.
During Dollywood's month long Festival of Nations, guests enjoyed a celebration of dance, food and culture from around the world. Dolly said,
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world, and the Festival of Nations is an opportunity for Dollywood to bring a world of entertainment to the Great Smoky Mountains!”
With the help of Dollywood's Festival of Nations the park’s season was extended earlier into the year and gave families more time to enjoy Dolly’s East Tennessee theme park.
