Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge, TN will host the 13th Annual Fun-Filled “Whoadeo” Kids’ Event. “Whoadeo offers the perfect chance for families searching for great kids activities, festive fall decorations, food, mascots and storytelling. Activities include costume contests, mascot characters from a variety of Smoky Mountain attractions, stick horse competitions and a free outdoor carnival from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Area attractions as well as law enforcement, fire and rescue partners also are part of this special event, adding to the family atmosphere and offering information in an entertaining way.
The popular celebrity storytelling stage returns this year highlighting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Guest storytellers include Knoxville TV personalities, Stampede emcee Jay Teter and his sidekick Skeeter, Pirates Voyage very own Blackbeard and performers from Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, The Comedy Barn Theater and Smoky Mountain Opry.
Everyone is looking forward to the costume contest and stick horse competition. Children will participate in three age groups: ages 3-5; 6-9 and 10-12. Every Whoadeo participant (ages 3-12) receives a free Stampede admission ticket to the 3:30 p.m. dinner show on Sept. 21. Children may register for the Whoadeo on Saturday, Sept. 21 beginning at 8 a.m. at Dolly Parton’s Stampede located at 3849 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
The only requirement to compete in the competition is a stick horse which can be homemade or purchased. Free stick horses also will be provided at the event, while supplies last. Participants will compete in a series of Whoadeo competitions, including a cowboy costume contest, a “parade of stick horses” and “stick horse barrel races.” These contests all will take place inside the Stampede building, offering a rare chance for children to actually participate on the main arena floor. Contestants compete for first, second and third place prizes in each of three age brackets (ages 3-5, 6-9 and 10-12) for each competition – including bicycles and tablets.
Stick Horse Competition Times
*Registration ends 45 minutes prior to each competition.
“This is Food City’s 13th year to join Dolly Parton’s dinner shows for this family-friendly Whoadeo event,” said Steven C. Smith, President/CEO of Food City. “From returning competitors to first-time participants, this event celebrates creativity in an atmosphere that’s fun for everyone.”
All children must be accompanied by a parent and/or guardian. Families are invited to attend the free Whoadeo carnival from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Stampede parking lot. Food City will provide complimentary snacks for participating children and Coca-Cola® will provide free soft drinks. Each Whoadeo participant also will receive a Kid’s Club backpack from Food City (while supplies last), a voucher for one free child’s ticket to The Comedy Barn Theater and a complimentary one-day child’s ticket to Dollywood (valid for children ages 3-9 years old).
For more information on the Whoadeo Kids Event, call 865-453-4400 or visit DPStampede.com/KidsEvent.
“Coca-Cola” is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company.
Dolly Parton appeared as a keynote speaker at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) 2019 Legislative Summit, held August 5-8 in Nashville, TN. The annual bipartisan conference aims to provide states “support, ideas, connections and a strong voice on Capitol Hill,” and Dolly took the stage to talk about literacy and her Imagination Library program.
During a Q&A segment with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Dolly shared how her father’s inability to read or write inspired her to launch the Imagination Library, which mails one free book each month to children from birth to age five in participating communities. What started in 1995 as a program in her hometown of Sevier County, TN, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library now spans five countries and mails over 1.4 million free books each month to children around the world.
The Imagination Library relies on local partners to secure funding for the program, and in 2004, the state of Tennessee became the first to pass legislation supporting a statewide rollout of the program. During their on-stage discussion, Gov. Lee emphasized the scientifically-proven benefits of reading to your child, while Dolly encouraged all of the legislative leaders in attendance to adopt the Imagination Library as a statewide program so that “all children in our country will have access to books.”
“We’d like all the states to go statewide with it,” she said. “It’s not just for poor kids, but for all kids, for every child who signs up.”
Representing the Tennessee General Assembly, Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and House Speaker-select Cameron Sexton appeared on stage to present Dolly with a $25,000 check for her Dollywood Foundation, which funds the Imagination Library.
Dolly concluded her appearance with a touching performance of “Coat of Many Colors” and brought the entire audience to their feet with an inspiring rendition of “Try,” a song she wrote to celebrate her Imagination Library. Dolly left all of the conference attendees with a message of inspiration, encouraging them all to follow their dreams, to respect and love all of God’s children and to take any opportunity to work together.
Pictured Above: Dolly Parton, Toi Hutchinson (Illinois, Legislator)
Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen
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Dolly is pleased to announce that Danica McKellar will narrate the upcoming documentary, "The Library that Dolly Built." The documentary, directed by Nick Geidner and written by Abby Bower, explores the journey of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library from a local program to an international partnership that has now gifted over 115 million books. Dolly said,
“I was thrilled that Danica agreed to narrate our documentary. She is the perfect person to help us tell our story. She is very talented and she has such a giving heart.”
Danica is an actress, mathematics writer and education advocate. Her successful acting career includes her role as Winnie Cooper on "The Wonder Years," several notable voiceovers for animated movies and a number of well-received movies on the Hallmark Channel. Danica said,
“I've admired Dolly Parton since childhood, and even more so upon learning of her Imagination Library. I can't wait for the world to learn more about the Imagination Library through this beautiful documentary, and I couldn't be prouder to narrate it.”
In addition to her acting work, McKellar has written eight books, all encouraging children, especially young girls, to have confidence and success in mathematics. Her book, "Goodnight, Numbers," is currently included in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
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Photo Credit: Nick Geidner
"The Library That Dolly Built" is a feature-length documentary, covering the history, impact and future of America’s largest non-governmental children’s literacy program. It features the music of Dolly Parton and includes original interviews with recipients of the books, parents, policy makers, authors, program organizers, and the legend herself, Dolly Parton. With this film, we hope to celebrate one of Tennessee’s greatest exports, the Imagination Library, shine a light on the importance of children’s literacy and put a human face on the many people who make DPIL happen.
"The Library That Dolly Built" is being produced by Land Grant Films, a documentary production program housed in the School of Journalism and Electronic Media at the University of Tennessee. Land Grant Film’s mission is to provide University of Tennessee students with real-world experience in documentary storytelling while providing local non-profit organizations with videos assets that can be used to raise awareness and funds. Land Grant Films’ documentaries have been aired on Knoxville’s NBC and PBS affiliates, screened in film festivals, and won numerous awards. All of our films are created by University of Tennessee students or involve students in key crew positions. The Library That Dolly Built was directed by journalism professor Nick Geidner, edited by video instructor Clinton Elmore, and crewed by 15 University of Tennessee students.
It’s no secret when Dolly Parton puts her name on something, success follows. NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Tyler Reddick hopes the same holds true during Saturday’s Alsco 300 (TV coverage on FS1) at Bristol Motor Speedway.
For the event, the hood of Reddick’s No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro will be adorned with Parton’s likeness and her record company, Dolly Records, while the rest of the car prominently features the logos from each of Parton’s Pigeon Forge-area attractions. He hopes the addition of the entertainment icon to his car serves as catalyst to put him in Victory Lane for the first time in 2019.
“It’s an honor to represent Dolly Parton and her variety of businesses on our No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway,” said the California native. “Dolly is an icon and has had a lot of success in her career, which is something I admire while trying to build my own success in NASCAR. Hopefully, we can take Dolly and the No. 2 Camaro to Victory Lane this weekend in her home state of Tennessee. I think that would be really special for everyone who is a fan of hers.”
Reddick is the 2018 Xfinity Series champion and enters the event in Thunder Valley with RCR as the current series leader. He is fresh off a second place finish in last weekend’s event at Texas Motor Speedway.
The car, which appropriately is trimmed in pink, includes the Dollywood theme park logo on the rear quarter panels, with the DollyParton.com website across the rear roof. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library receive placement on the car’s rear fascia, and the logos of Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, Dollywood’s Splash Country and the soon-to-open Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show each are included on the car’s deck lid. Saturday’s race marks the first time Parton and many of her businesses have been featured as a primary sponsor on a race car.
Dollywood theme park currently is celebrating its biggest season ever with the largest addition in the park’s storied history, Wildwood Grove, opening on Friday, May 10. The area features 11 thrilling new experiences for guests to enjoy together in the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Pigeon Forge Pirates Voyage is slated to open this summer; a sister Pirates Voyage is located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Learn more about Dollywood’s 2019 season and the addition of Wildwood Grove, or call 1-800-Dollywood.com
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BMS Photo Credit: Bristol Herald Courier, David Crigger
On February 27, Dolly dedicated her Imagination Library's 100 Millionth Book to the Library of Congress. We sat down to talk with her about that moment, the amazing program affiliates who help make it all possible and her thoughts on the future of the program.
Dolly spoke about the dedication of the special 100 Millionth Book - “Coat of Many Colors” and how this milestone is not only a celebration of the program but also a celebration of her mother and father.
Dolly also wanted to give credit to the thousands of program affiliates around the world that help make this all possible. Many don't know but it actually takes local affiliate organizations to help administer and fund the Imagination Library within their communities. Dolly understands clearly that they deserve equal thanks for making this amazing milestone possible.
Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has celebrated many milestones. Reaching the 100 Millionth Book Milestone is a true testament to the dedication of many, many people who work to “put more books in the hands of more children.” We asked Dolly about where she saw the Imagination Library going in the future.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating communities within Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly Parton started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, the program has mailed over 100 million books to children around the world.
