With sweet melodies drifting through the crisp, autumn air, Southern gospel music is well represented during Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration presented by Humana (Oct. 2- 31).
Once again, Dollywood is home to a packed slate of Southern gospel’s premier talent. Among this year’s new acts are Ernie Hasse & Signature Sound (Oct. 4-5) and The Collingsworth Family (Oct. 7). Guests can see concerts from a number of returning Dollywood favorites including Guy Penrod (Oct. 16-17), The McKameys (Oct. 9-10), Karen Peck & New River (Oct. 2-3), The Isaacs (Oct. 19) and The Booth Brothers (Oct. 15-16).
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. Dolly said,
“Some of my earliest memories of singing come from the days when my family would stand up on the stages of those little churches here in these beautiful mountains. I’ll always remember how it felt when the trees were painted in those bright colors and the sounds of Southern gospel music echoed through the hills. I’m glad we’re able to recreate that for our guests thanks to these talented artists during my National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration. I love to see—and hear—Dollywood during this time of year!”
Although performing during the festival for the first time, The Collingsworth Family has made Dollywood’s award-winning rides, food and entertainment a tradition for years. After making many trips to the park, they are eager to share their talents with Dollywood guests. Phil Collingsworth Sr. said,
“It's with great excitement that we anticipate our first performances during this year’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration at Dollywood. After enjoying many Dollywood visits as an integral part of our family's vacation schedule, it’s a delight to be a part of the celebration professionally. Thank you to Dollywood for offering 30 years of great American family fun!”
The McKameys, who hail from nearby Clinton, TN, also have enjoyed spending time at Dollywood through the years. Peg McKamey said,
“Singing at Dollywood has always been a great honor for us. The facilities are wonderful and there is always an atmosphere of worship. It is a family-oriented place and we are so blessed to have Southern gospel music there during the month of October. We know the fans will enjoy every day of the festival!”
See the complete concert schedule for Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration
Additionally, more than 40 visiting artisans from around the country join Dollywood’s own master artisans. Daily craft demonstrations illustrate how many of America’s vital products were made for centuries. During the festival, Dollywood also celebrates Tennessee Craft Week, Oct. 2-11. Celebrating fifty years, Tennessee Craft, formerly The Tennessee Association of Craft Artists, is a nonprofit organization working to continue Tennessee’s fine craft tradition.
Among the crafts, 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, corn and much more.
Learn more about Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration
Each year autumn drapes Dollywood—and the beautiful Smoky Mountains—in fall’s finest décor just in time for the National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration.
For 2013’s festival, Dolly said,
“There’s nothing quite like the sweet sound of Southern gospel music echoing through these gorgeous mountains this time of year during my National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration at Dollywood.”
The biggest names in Southern gospel music visited Dollywood and amazed guests with hundreds of concerts throughout the park during the celebration.
Some of the biggest names in Southern gospel music, including The McKameys, Karen Peck & New River, Guy Penrod and many more joined Dolly’s theme park, Dollywood, during its 2012 National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration presented by Humana.
Dolly’s love for gospel music and for true artisanship was highlighted during this harvest festival at Dollywood and was pleased to host such a gathering of talent. Dolly said,
“Nothing would make me happier than to be up there on stage with every group, singing and celebrating with each and every one of ‘em during my National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration.”
Dollywood enjoyed a bountiful harvest during the theme park’s 2006 National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration. The park welcomed a host of Southern gospel legends along with 49 visiting crafters. Dollywood’s Southern gospel roots run deep, as does the talented roster for this year’s festival. Award-winning artists Dottie Rambo, the McKameys, the Crabb Family, the Isaacs, the Florida Boys, Karen Peck & New River, the Kingdom Heirs and many more graced the stage. And don’t forget the food! The Apple Market offered a variety of Southern heirloom apples, apple fritters and fresh-baked biscuits.
At the Appalachian Cooking Booth, guests enjoyed Southern cuisine at its finest with Smoky Mountain Spoon Bread and Granny Ogle’s Specialty Cornbread, both served with fried okra and skillet-fried corn, while The Grill offered chicken and steak kabobs. Finally, Dollywood’s National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration offered guests one of the country’s most prestigious gatherings of artisans.
Dollywood's 20th-anniversary season introduced a new National Music and Harvest Celebration. The celebration featured 38 days of free concerts. Award-winning country, bluegrass, Americana and Southern gospel artists were showcased on stages throughout the park. Dolly said,
“I’m a fan of every kind of music, but I wanted our music festival to reflect the music that has been a part of my life growing up here in East Tennessee. Every artist on our lineup knows how to bring a crowd to its feet, and I hope everybody’s looking forward to that kind of entertainment—I know I am!”
