The Dollywood Theme Park

The Dollywood theme park is situated in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and is owned by country music artist Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation.

The theme park first opened in 1961 as a tourist attraction called the Rebel Railroad. Back then, the park features numerous attractions, including a steam train, a blacksmith shop, a saloon and a general store.

The Rebel Railroad Park then was renamed to Goldrush Junction in 1966. Four years later the Cleveland Browns football team bought the lot. It wasn't until the year 1976, when Jack and Pete Herschend purchased the park and renamed it to Silver Dollar City Tennessee one year later. Silver Dollar City Tennessee Park served as a sister theme park to the Silver Dollar City of the family located near Branson, Missouri. Country music artist Dolly Parton got a co-owner in 1986, which caused the park to be renamed as Dollywood Park.

What is Dollywood Offering to You

The Dollywood theme park provides standard amusement park rides and attractions, as well as traditional craft and music of the Smoky Mountains area. In addition, the Dollywood park is affiliated with the neighboring water park called the Dollywood’s Splash County and a chain of theaters called the Dixie Stampede dinner theater.

The Dollywood Park also provides numerous musical events and concerts by local and national music artists every year and naturally, shows by Dolly Parton herself.

Each year millions of visitors come to there, almost all of whom also traveling the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The operating season of the Dollywood park runs from the early parts of spring until Christmas season.

During the operating season the Dollywood park features five festivals, including the Festival of Nations, Kidfest, Bluegrass and BBQ Festival, the National Gospel and Harvest Celebration and Smoky Mountain Christmas.

The Festival of Nations is an international event that features diverse performers and cultures from around the world. On the other hand, the Kidfest comes with popular children celebrities in the summertime, like Spongebob and VeggieTales, and some other fun activities for the kids.

Every fall for two weeks the Bluegrass and BBQ Festival is held, a celebration of bluegrass music. Visitors attending the festival will enjoy southern style, barbecue and good music.

On October the Dollywood park hosts the National Gospel and Harvest Celebration. The festival pays homage to an ancient harvest celebration and features master craftsmen, autumn cuisine, as well as a showcase of gospel music from the Southern Gospel Jubilee.

Lastly, during the months of November and December the Smoky Mountain Christmas is held. This festival features the celebration of a traditional Christmas holiday along with other attractions, food, and special shows.

The Dollywood Theme Park Areas

In the park there are several areas visitors can enjoy. The park itself has nine theme areas, such as: The Craftsmen’s Valley, Jukebox Junction, Showstreet, Rivertown Junction, Timber Canyon, Village, Dreamland Forest and the Adventures in Imagination, and Country Fair.

Dreamland Forest and the Adventures in Imagination is a good opportunity where offers visitors can explore the life and imagination of Dolly Parton, while the other seven remaining theme areas serve as an expression of eras and historical culture of the eastern Tennessee region. Additionally, numerous attractions and areas found at the Dollywood park serve the purpose of preserving the history and culture of the Southern Appalachians region.