Guests were welcomed to Dolly's Dixie Stampede for its sixth season by Dixie Belle. If first impressions matter the most, she was something to remember.
The introduction of Dixie Belle added to the Dixie Stampede pre-show experience. Guests are ushered into the saloon, where they can enjoy snacks and specialty, non-alcoholic drinks with some Southern entertainment. Part of the entertainment includes Dixie Belle, the establishment’s fictitious proprietor. Belle greets guests, makes small talk while her piano and banjo players entertain guests with various kinds of music –including ragtime and state songs. Dixie Belle even sings a few songs herself.
Dolly’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, opened for its sixth season on March 10, 1993.
The early start signaled a new trend for the Pigeon Forge area. With the lights on and music playing, the Pigeon Forge off-season began shrinking.
When Dixie Stampede opened in 1988, operators shut down the popular dinner show attraction for the winter in October. The next season, they were from April to October. In 1993, the theatre opened its doors on, March 10.
“The season has definitely lengthened,” said the marketing director for Dixie Stampede. “That’s what we’re all working to do. I think the time when everyone will be open year-round is sneaking up on us fast.”
Dolly opened the sixth season of her Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., with a new featured illusion. While it has been a well-kept secret, rumor is that it involves people disappearing before your very eyes. It is another way to add to the fun.
"The Legend of the Christmas Rose," tells the story of two star-crossed lovers while blending the American Wild West, the Civil War and old-world Southern charm.
This romantic saga tells the story of Sam and Sarah, who were parted by the Civil War. The distance was not enough to ruin their love. Throughout the battles, Sarah and Sam wrote letters to each other, expressing their feelings. Dolly’s "Legend of the Christmas Rose" featured traditional holiday music with Civil War influences, along with square dancing, singing, period costumes, elaborate sets, special effects and friendly competitions.
"The Legend of the Christmas Rose" began showing at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge on November 20, 1992. At the same, a similar Christmas show was performed at Dolly’s attraction in Myrtle Beach, SC.
A new fixture began attracting Pigeon Forge visitors to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede. In 1990, the Stampede placed some of the horses in new stables next to the Pigeon Forge Parkway. A publicist was quoted by a local newspaper as saying,
“You’d be surprised how many people pull up here just to look at the horses. Then they decide to come to the show.”
The new stables and horses were not the only thing drawing crowds to Dixie Stampede, thousands of cheer on trained pigs, chickens and bulls each day. With the success of the first season, the Stampede found many visitors, especially enjoyed the stunt animals. Since that time, show producers have made sure the stunts and animals were in the spotlight.
Each year, the Stampede spends about one million dollars to for show upgrades and most importantly, to ensure the horses and other animals receive excellent training and care.
By 1990, Dolly’s Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge was being billed as one of the largest dinner attractions in the world. For its third season, this unique dining experience found another way to thrill audiences, an electric light parade.
With more than 30 horses and their riders and 15,000 sparkling lights, Dolly and her team wanted to make sure there was something for everyone. General Manager Jim rule said,
“It has everything, including action-packed adventure for the men, romance and beauty for the ladies, fascinating animals for the kids and laughter for all.”
Dolly echoed that statement, saying,
“It’s the most fun place to eat in the Smokies!”
Rule told a local newspaper there were lights on the horses’ saddles, bridles, stirrups, and breast harnesses. The lights are also on the riders’ hats, shirts, vests, pants, boots, guns and holsters.
Audiences to Dolly’s dinner attraction also looked forward to synchronized horse drills, horse barrel racing, Brahma bull riding competition, buckboard wagon racing and women’s horse racing.
Another highlight of the third season was a stage descending to the center of the arena, with Southern Belles singing and dancing.
