Well, hello. Dolly… Dolly Parton kicks off season at Dollywood
By Michael Williams

Sevier County’s favorite daughter, Dolly Parton was on hand at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge to kick off the 2013 season at the popular theme park that bears her name.

VIP pass holders and members of the media waited patiently in the Celebrity Theater for Parton to appear. Acrobats with the Cirque Shanghai appeared on stage performing acrobatic stunts to the synchronized beat of drums. Moments later Parton appeared on stage sitting atop one of the drums and was met with a tumultuous round of applause.

Parton told attendees of the new changes and exciting new programs coming to the park this season. The highly popular show Great American Country returns this year as well as the Festival of Nations. Among the acts that will perform for the Festival of Nations are the Cirque Shanghai acrobats, Mystic India, the Swoon Sway Pole Act and the Zambian Vocal group.

Parton introduced two family members to the stage, her brother Randy and sister Cassie who will be performing there this summer. The three siblings performed “These are my Mountains,” the popular theme from Sha-Kon-O-Hey. Randy and Cassie will perform in a new show written by Dolly entitled “My People.” The show features some of Dolly’s recollections of life in the Smoky Mountains.

Barbecue and Bluegrass returns this season with an all-star lineup that includes Dailey and Vincent, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs and many more performers.

The National Southern Gospel and Harvest celebration returns this season featuring free concerts by Guy Penrod, the Mckameys, the Isaacs and many other gospel acts.

The Christmas season will feature Dollywood’s first ever production of a Christmas Carol. Parton’s sister park “Splash Country” reopens in May and will feature Tennessee’s first water roller coaster.

Published March 26, 2013