In November 1991, Dolly announced official plans to bring her one-of-a-kind show, the Dixie Stampede, to Myrtle Beach, SC. With construction beginning just before Thanksgiving (1991), the $13 million project was slated to open in July of the following year.
Official plans included building the new Dixie Stampede off U.S 17, with the Carolina Opry right beside it. Both buildings were designed by the same architectural firm to have a Charleston Victorian theme.
To ease the concerns of nearby residents, the developers working for Dixie Stampede and the Carolina Opry, designed the property to have a minimal traffic impact. With entrances from both nearby highways and long drives before the parking areas, developers hoped to move guests onto the site quickly and efficiently.
With only eight months before the grand opening, there was a lot of work to be done. Excitement was already building for Dixie Stampede in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction is filled with friendly North and South competition. It includes thrilling horse riding stunts, spectacular special effects, phenomenal musical productions plus a mouth-watering four-course feast. The feast is complete with a delicious dessert!
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.
Following a successful first season for Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction in Pigeon Forge, the show's producers wanted to give the fans something new. That was done with a few new additions to the animal lineup and more friendly competition.
Added to the horses and bulls guests saw during the first season at Dolly’s dinner attraction, chickens and pigs were worked into the second season. Audience members were called on to chase chickens in a race to see if the North or South would claim a victory. The thoroughbred pigs raced the stadium to bring home another win for their side.
These animal antics were not the only differences between the first and second season. The producers wanted there to be more action for the audience. A publicist for Dixie Stampede was quoted as saying,
“We want to get onto this rivalry between the North and South.”
Dolly's Dixie Stampede’s opening days were spent giving back to the community, with benefit shows. Like its owner Dolly Parton, Dixie Stampede wanted to not only provide entertainment, but also help its neighbors and local charities.
Dolly’s new attraction in Pigeon Forge began distributing coupons before the grand opening, to be used during a five-day stretch. For each coupon, $5 would be donated to the Sevier County organization of the guest’s choice. The charities receiving funds included the Pigeon Forge Lions Club, Gatlinburg Rotary Club, Sevierville Quarterback Club, Greenbrier Academy, Northview Optimist Club, Pigeon Forge Rotary and The Dollywood Foundation Buddy Program. The benefit was expected to raise up to $60,000 for the community.
At the time, Dolly’s show at the Dixie Stampede was called “The Life and Times of Billy Kincaid.” The two-hour show offered guests a Wild West musical comedy and a meal served from chuck wagons.
