New Events, Award-Winning Artists and Family Entertainment Highlight 2018 Dollywood: Pictures and Video Inside!

Hey Yall!  I hope you all had a great weekend!  My weekend was pretty laid back, trying to catch up on some Zzz's after our rapid trip to the Smoky Mountains for the 2018 season opening of Dollywood.  I was invited as media to attend this incredible event, and when I heard Dolly Parton herself was going to be there, I just had to go, this is an event I could not miss!  I love that woman!



I allowed my girls to play hooky from school for the day, and Mr. M tagged along too, canceling appointments with clients.



We arrived in Pigeon Forge, TN at 3:00 am that Friday morning and checked into the Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and crashed in our beds until it was time to get up a few hours later for the event.  Let's just say; I was like a walking zombie, but you couldn't tell because of the excitement I had of thinking I would potentially meet Dolly had me wide-eyed.

My tour guide walked us to Dolly Parton's Celebrity Theater, where Dolly Parton hosted the kick off of Dollywood’s “Season of Showstoppers” with a 2018 entertainment showcase featuring performers from Festival of Nations and the new Spring Mix music series.

Watch the Entire Press Event

Dollywood has won Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award for Best Theme Park Entertainment for nine years, and with 2018’s commitment, the park again looks to lead the way for the award. Dollywood guests know each season offers an entirely new experience for families to enjoy, thanks to festivals and events which always provide exciting new opportunities to create lifelong memories. With so much world-renowned talent in one place, this is the perfect season to take advantage of a Dollywood season pass or new multi-day ticket options.

Dollywood's Festival of Nations

The year begins with Dollywood’s Festival of Nations (March 17-April 9). Guests can tour the world through this fascinating festival which offers a captivating glimpse at a number of cultures from across the globe. Guests experience the excitement of traditional music, dance, food and crafts from a wide array of countries while also enjoying internationally-known performing groups. The National Dance Company of Siberia, The Flamenco Kings starring Los Vivancos, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo bring three unique, high-energy shows to Dollywood. Festival of Nations is a fun, educational and exciting experience for families. Authentic international cuisine and daily celebrations by visiting nations throughout the park provide guests with an escape around the world without leaving the heart of the Smokies.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Dolly Parton

The National Dance Company of Siberia

The Festival of Nations is my favorite part at the amusement park.  Lauren and I love learning and exploring different cultures, so without needing to hop around jet-setting all over the world, we can check out different countries all in one place!  Also, guest can purchase authentic merchandise that came from around the globe as well.

Dollywood’s all-new Spring Mix Music Series

Orleans

Dollywood’s all-new Spring Mix music series (April 11-29) brings three weeks of performances by award-winning artists across multiple music genres. The first week features classic country talent including Crystal Gayle, Suzy Bogguss, Shenandoah, Pam Tillis, T.G. Sheppard and Connie Smith. Inspirational artists such as Amy Grant, David Phelps, Carman, Selah, and The Blind Boys of Alabama perform during the series’ second week, while a number of classic artists take to the stage during the third week. Classic artists include The Marshall Tucker Band, The Drifters, Orleans, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Debby Boone. Different artists are scheduled to appear every day during the Spring Mix concert series. All concerts are included with park admission. For a full concert schedule, visit dollywood.com/themepark/Festivals/Spring-Mix

Janie Fricke

Larnelle Harris

Dollywood’s popular Barbeque & Bluegrass 

Dollywood’s popular Barbeque & Bluegrass presented by BUSH’S® (May 25-June 10) adds an extra week in 2018, giving fans of the genre even more great talent to enjoy during this kickoff to summer. This year’s festival features an impressive bluegrass lineup with a multitude of free daily concerts from an amazing collection of talented performers. More than 350 concerts take place during the festival. Grammy and International Bluegrass Music Association winner Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, IBMA winners Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Dailey & Vincent, and The Grascals are just a few of the headliners which make this one of the biggest bluegrass events around. This annual tradition wouldn’t be complete without pounds of saucy pulled pork, barbequed chicken and ribs by the slab. This guest-favorite event is music to the ears—and a treat for the taste buds!

Dollywood’s Summer Celebration 

Dollywood’s Summer Celebration (June 16-Aug. 5) is just that—a time to celebrate making memories with the family at a place everyone enjoys! This summertime event features extended park hours, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, giving families a unique chance to ride Dollywood’s world-class attractions, including Lightning Rod and Wild Eagle, all day and well into the night! A multitude of options keeps families entertained with iLuminate and DRUMLine Live!, thrilling guests with their unique shows during the festival. America’s Got Talent finalists iLuminate come to Dollywood June 16-July 4 with their electrified glow-in-the-dark costumes to perform dynamic dance routines and illusions. From July 7- July 21, DRUMLine Live! creates a synchronized musical masterpiece based on the hit 2002 movie Drumline—but it’s not the typical halftime performance! To complete the day, the park’s festive nightly fireworks show is a colorful extravaganza set to uplifting music which celebrates the fun of Dollywood after dark!

Dollywood’s Harvest Festival

Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 28-Nov. 3) provides more fall family fun with the expansion of the new guest-favorite Great Pumpkin LumiNights and the largest Southern gospel event in America. Dollywood is open until 9 p.m. every night during the festival. More than 600 performances by award-winning Southern gospel acts take place during the festival, while each night, thousands of carved pumpkins illuminate the dark with an expanded number of displays and activities for families to enjoy.  Dollywood guests also can enjoy the spectacular artistry of visiting crafters from across the country, or sample the special harvest-themed food items from Dollywood’s award-winning foods team. Each day is a picture-perfect opportunity for your family to enjoy the traditional experiences of a Smoky Mountain harvest!

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas 

Celebrating a decade of being honored as the Best Christmas Event at any theme park worldwide, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 10-Jan. 5, 2019) provides the perfect holiday atmosphere to put families in to the Christmas spirit. Wander through the park’s more than four million holiday lights, enjoy the spectacular holiday performances and warm Christmas atmosphere, or taste the holiday-themed food, and it is easy to understand why it has become a family tradition for so many. From the cheer of Dollywood’s Parade of Many Colors, to traditional holiday shows like It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas in the Smokies, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas helps families create memories to share for a lifetime.



As you can see, Dollywood has a lot of exciting things going on for the 2018 season!  There is something for everyone in the family, like fast rides for thrill-seekers, live entertainment for show-goers, award-winning cuisines for foodies.



And speaking of food!

My family and I had a tasty lunch in Dollywood's Aunt Granny's Restaurant which has been recast with a new look and menu items.

One of Dollywood's best-known restaurants is now getting a little help from another iconic Tennessee brand, Lodge Manufacturing Company.  Aunt Granny's All-You-Care-To-Eat Buffet, which earned its name from the loving nickname Dolly Parton's nieces and nephews have called her for years, is a place for families to wind down and fill their bellies with southern favorites.

Among those new offerings is Southwestern herb baked chicken, country chicken & dumplings, roasted red-skinned potatoes with cheddar cheese & bacon, corn udding', and much more!  Stone soup, inspired by Dolly's famous story about how her mother would use the classic fable to encourage her children when they might be discouraged, also finds its way on to the buffet.



Mama's Stone Soup

• 2 quart chicken stock (or canned broth)

• 1 lb. potatoes (peeled and diced)

• 1 14 oz. diced tomatoes

• 1 small head of cabbage (chopped)

• 1 lb. turnips (peeled and diced)

• 2 large carrots (diced)

• 1 small onion (chopped)

• 4 garlic cloves (minced)

• Hamhock

• One Very Clean Stone (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine stock, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, turnips, carrots, onion, garlic, and hamhock in a large soup pot.  Add stone (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, occasionally stirring until soup is thick and vegetables are fork tender (about 2 hours).  Remove hamhock from soup, remove meat from bone and chop into half-inch pieces.  Add meat back to soup.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve hot.  Serves 8.



And, they didn't forget people with sweet tooths!  There is a big selection which includes apple cobbler, various cupcakes, puddings, brownies, and more.

I may not have personally met Dolly Parton while visiting her park, but still felt fulfilled being so close to her.  She is what I would call, #goals!  A small-time country girl who came from rag to riches, but still is there for her people.  Humble, thankful, giving, and unapologetic when it comes to her faith.



Not only has she touch so many lives, she touched mine as well.  Just recently Dolly celebrated 100-millionth book distributed from her Imagination Library program, the largest children’s literacy program in the world.



I was living paycheck to paycheck with two babies, only was able to afford the necessities.  It was hard being able to purchase the littlest things, and that included getting books for my girls.



I was on the W.I.C. program which helped me get free milk, formula, cheese, and other food necessities, and while on this program they signed me up with Dolly's Imagination Library program that sent my girls a new book in the mail each month until they both reached 5 years old.



The littlest things like this made a huge difference in our lives, and I thank Dolly for having a program like this.  It brings back the memories of the joy my girls would have getting a new book in the mail, and we would settle down and read it together.



Thank you, Dolly Parton!

And everyone, make sure you head up to the beautiful Smoky Mountains and enjoy time together creating unforgettable memories at Dollywood!

More Pictures from the Event

Have you taken your trip to Dollywood yet?

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