Dollywood: Dolly Parton Influences

Dolly Parton’s influences are found throughout her Dollywood entertainment park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Her creativity as well as her fond childhood remembrances of what it would be like to be a star inspire many of Dollywood’s attractions and add to the uniqueness that is found only at Dollywood in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dollywood’s Festival of Nations—Dolly’s career has taken her from the hills of East Tennessee to the world’s most prestigious stages. A firm believer that music unites us all—regardless of the language in which it is delivered—Dolly was inspired to add the international Festival of Nations, a multi-faceted celebration of music, dance, food and art from around the world.

Dollywood’s KidsFest—Since she was unable to have children of her own, Dolly has always felt that all children were intended to be hers. That’s why she created KidsFest, a summer-long event featuring special entertainment and activities just for kids and their families.

Dollywood’s Harvest Celebration & Southern Gospel Jubilee—There’s something special about fall in the Smoky Mountains. Harvest Celebration is Dolly’s way of sharing the many time-honored harvest time traditions with others. As for Dollywood’s Southern Gospel Jubilee, Dolly’s first performances were in the tiny church that she and her family attended in Sevier County. Gospel music has and always will hold a special place in her heart. Southern Gospel Jubilee is Dolly’s way of sharing this spirit-filled music with her guests.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas—Growing up with eleven siblings, Dolly has plenty of heartwarming family traditions and memories—from holiday music to tasty foods. She’s taken them all and added a dazzling display of 3 million lights and created a special place for families to celebrate the holiday season at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas.

Temple Warehouse & Dry Goods/Mrs. Temple’s Mercantile—The Temples ran a longtime retail establishment in Dolly’s hometown of Sevierville. Mr. Temple, a county commissioner, even married couples on the spot in the store. Dolly’s father Lee was a regular customer there, purchasing feed for his livestock. Now retired, this park shop opened in 2003 to honor the Temples.

Aunt Granny’s Restaurant – This is Dollywood’s most popular restaurant, serving the finest southern specialties. The name is a nod to Dolly, whose many nieces and nephews affectionately refer to her as “Aunt Granny.”

Apple Jack’s – Another popular Dollywood eatery, this restaurant is named after the title character in one of Dolly’s No. 1 hits.

The Dollywood Emporium – Completely remodeled in 2001, the Emporium features Dollywood’s largest collection of merchandise including apparel, housewares, food, jewelry and toys.

Cas Walker’s General Store – Cas Walker was the Knoxville, Tenn., entrepreneur who gave Dolly her first break in television. This mercantile in Dollywood’s Jukebox Junction area was named as a tribute to him.

Daredevil Falls –A major themed-ride experience, Daredevil Falls is named for a childhood experience Dolly shared with her brothers and sisters growing up in the Smoky Mountains. The siblings used to swim in a secret swimming hole that was fed by a crystal-clear waterfall, and sometimes her brothers would try to “ride over the falls.”

Dolly’s Demolition Derby – This fun ride offers kids of all ages a bumpin’ good time as they match wits and maneuver their bumper cars through a dynamic derby of fun.

Dolly’s Dressing Room – This special women’s clothing boutique features apparel in Dolly’s styles ranging from country casual to evening glamour. Celebrities visiting Dollywood love to shop here, including Delta Burke, Lorrie Morgan, Loni Anderson and Pam Tillis.

Dolly Parton Roses – A beautiful orange-red hybrid tea rose is named in honor of Dolly, and their fragrant blossoms are among hundreds of thousands of flowers found throughout Dollywood in the spring and summer.

DP’s Celebrity Theatre – Dolly recorded her 1994 album Heartsongs in this state-of-the-art theatre named DP’s for Dolly Parton. In 2001, a one-year production show Paradise Road: The Life & Songs of Dolly Parton was staged here. In 2002, DP’s became home to Backstage Pass, a new show honoring country music’s history and legends. Randy Parton’s Country State of Mind originated from the stage in 2003.

Dreamland Forest – Dolly has always loved tree houses and even has two in the backyard at her Nashville home. As a child, Dolly always built a tree house along with her brothers and sisters in their own special make believe “Dreamland Forest” in their Smoky Mountain backyard. That’s where the idea came for this special Dollywood area and its landmark attraction, America’s largest interactive tree house.

Fried Green Tomatoes – This Parton recipe created quite a stir when first introduced at Dollywood’s annual fall festival. It has since become a regular item offered during Dollywood’s annual Harvest Celebration.

Friendship Gardens and Starwalk – When Dolly introduced the Showstreet area in 1992, she wanted a tranquil spot dedicated to her show business friends who had performed or appeared with her at Dollywood throughout the years. So Friendship Gardens, featuring more than 35,000 flowers, is Dolly’s floral tribute to more than 150 stars. Commemorative plaques are displayed along the Starwalk path that weaves throughout the garden.

Granny Ogle’s Ham ‘n’ Beans – Another favorite Dollywood eatery, this one is named for the mother of Dolly’s best friend, Judy Ogle.

Heartsong – This special entertainment presentation tells the musical story of Dolly’s life in a spectacular “naturound” multi-sensory theatre. Through word and song, Dolly narrates this Smoky Mountain adventure which was filmed on location around Dollywood and at Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home.

Old Flames Candle Shop – This craft shop, featuring intricately detailed candles, is named after one of Dolly’s hit records—Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You.

Pine’s Theatre – The Pine’s Theatre in Sevierville, Tenn., was the site of Dolly Parton’s first public performance before an audience in the mid-1950s. With the addition of Dollywood’s Jukebox Junction, it was only fitting that the new theatre in this 1950s-themed area be named the Pines Theatre. Buddy Baxter’s Bandstand USA returns for a second season here in 2004.

Red’s Diner – Dolly had her first hamburger in the 1950s at a Sevierville eatery named Red’s. Now, the best burgers and fries in the county are still found at Red’s, only the restaurant is now located in Dollywood’s Jukebox Junction area.

Showstreet – This entire area was inspired by Dolly visions of the glamour and glitz of show business. Showstreet includes a full-service restaurant, a beautiful theatre, and Dolly’s Dressing Room.

Spotlight Bakery – One of the most popular items at this full-production bakery is “bucket bread,” inspired by Dolly’s remembrance of her mother baking bread in a coffee can.

Sweet Dreams Candy Shop – Dolly loves candy. As a child, she loved candy so much that Dolly would beg her oldest sister,Willadeene, to make homemade candy for her. But, Willadeene would tell her, “You’ll just have to have ‘sweet dreams’ because I’m not making you any candy today.” Thus, Sweet Dreams was a fitting name for Dollywood’s candy shop.

Tennessee Mountain Home – This Dollywood attraction is an exact replica of Dolly’s childhood home. Her brother Bobby built the two-room reproduction on site at Dollywood.

Uncle Bill’s Guitar Shop -Located in Jukebox Junction, this musical merchandise shop is named for Dolly’s uncle Bill Owens, her first manager and her frequent co-writer. “Uncle Bill” is part of Dollywood’s Kinfolk’s Show and has performed every season since Dollywood opened in 1986. Lots of Dolly’s family members perform and work at Dollywood. Her brother Randy Parton has performed in his own show at the park for several years. This year he headlines Randy Parton’s Country Heart & Soul at the Pines Theatre. A number of Dolly’s relatives, including her mother’s two brothers, star in the Kinfolks Show.

When shopping at Dollywood, don’t forget to request your change in Dolly Dollars. It’s Dollywood’s own unique currency.

The Dollywood Foundation, founded in 1988, supports a variety of innovative projects to promote education in Dolly’s native Sevier County, Tenn. One of the Foundation’s most recognized projects is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that gives preschool children in Sevier County a free book every month from the time they are born until they enter kindergarten. In late 1999, Dolly announced the national expansion of the Imagination Library. In December 2003, Dolly presented the Imagination Library’s one millionth book. The program is now active in 35 states and will expand into Canada in 2004.

Dolly continues her involvement at Dollywood by providing creative input for various projects. Dolly often utilizes the park for special projects including the many television appearances she makes. In 2003, Dollywood and Dolly were featured on the Travel Channel and The John Walsh Show. Each year, Dolly serves as Grand Marshal of her very own parade sponsored by the City of Pigeon Forge the Friday evening before Dollywood’s Grand Opening. The parade and Dollywood’s Grand Opening each have been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society’s April list of Top 20 events in the Southeast.