Dollywood’s Days of Praise returns for the 2003 season to rock, roll and raise the spirits of teens and youth groups from across the south. Leading the celebration was Avalon. The Adult-Contemporary Christian superstars headlined a group of bands with styles from mainstream Pop to Alternative. Other performing favorites included KJ52, Pillar, Skillet and Tree63. The groups performed in theaters across the park.
In 2003, Dolly was honored with the Child and Family Advocacy Award which honors an individual or organization who has demonstrated exceptional service and dedication in advocating for children and families. Presented by the Parents as Teachers National Center, the award honors Dolly for her Imagination Library program.
Dolly started her Imagination Library program in 1995 to put age-appropriate books in the hands of preschool-aged children. For communities that choose to support the program, every child receives a book by mail from birth to age five.
Other people who have received the award include Carol Brunson, the National League of Cities, United Way of America, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, Missouri Senator Kit Bond, Marian Wright Edelman, Evelyn Moore, Patricia Kempthorne and the Albertson Foundation, among others.
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.
The wizards in the kitchen at Dollywood developed another appetite-whetting winner! The Dollywood cuisine team’s creation—The Hokey Pokey Stick danced away with the "Best Quality Sample" award at the 2003 East Tennessee Chocolate Fest.
Created for KidsFest, Hokey Pokey Sticks are rice cereal bars double dipped in chocolate and then rolled in a candy or nut coating. The Hokey Pokey Stick was sold throughout KidsFest. Chocolate Fest is an annual fundraising event held by the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee.
After a decade-long hiatus from touring, Dolly hit the road on May 17, 2002, in support of her album "Halos & Horns." The tour included 25 shows which played across North America and Europe. The music played well to intimate 1,000--2,500-seat venues as Dolly kicked off the tour in New York City and ended it at her Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
