“The beauty and serenity of the Smoky Mountains have long inspired my life and music. I want to share my love for this very special place, our heritage and the spirit of our people.”
- Dolly Parton, quoted in the 2009 Dollywood brochure
Billed as “A World of Smoky Mountain Adventure!”, Dollywood is scheduled to reopen for the 2009 season on Saturday, March 28 with a stellar lineup of more than 40 attractions and rides, 30 live shows daily, 30 unique craft shops and much more. In addition, Dollywood will debut a new show, “Sha-Kon-O-Hey!”, a “story of the people who have brought life to the Great Smoky Mountains throughout history” that will feature eight original songs written by Dolly Parton. Finally, during the 2009 Festival of Nations, Dollywood will unveil another fascinating new show, “Imagine presented by Le Grand Cirque,” featuring “dynamic acrobatics, lavish costumes, mesmerizing music and breathtaking feasts” by a talented group of performers representing nine different countries.
Dollywood, which started out as a dream for country music legend Dolly Parton, has evolved into Tennessee’s most visited theme park, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually. Parton opened Dollywood in 1986 to showcase the rich heritage of the Smoky Mountain area where she was born and raised before heading to Nashville and superstardom.
2009 DOLLYWOOD FESTIVALS
Dollywood also will host four of the South’s largest festivals during the 2009 season: Festival of Nations, KidsFest, National Gospel & Harvest Celebration and Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Festival of Nations (March 28 – April 27, 2009)
An international celebration, Dollywood’s Festival of Nations offers live entertainment, culture exhibits and great food. “Imagine presented by Le Grand Cirque” will make its debut at Dollywood’s Festival of Nations in 2009. Closed Tuesdays.
KidsFest (June 12 – August 2, 2009)
Kid crafts, karaoke, puppets, clowns, jugglers, magicians, a trained dog show, extreme sports and much more highlight the festivities at Dollywood during Kidfest. Don’t miss Creature Adventures, which takes audiences on a worldwide expedition through the eyes of the Kratt Brothers, stars of the popular PBS series, “Zoboomafoo.” 2009 KidsFest will also feature Journey to the Center of the Earth: The 4D Adventure and Dolly’s Imagination Playhouse.
National Gospel & Harvest Celebration (October 2-31, 2009)
View the talents of more than 100 craftspeople from around the United States and enjoy the best in Southern gospel music at the Dollywood National Gospel & Harvest Celebration. More than 250 gospel concerts will be featured during the Harvest Celebration.
Smoky Mountain Christmas (November 7, 2008 – January 2, 2009)
Dollywood shines brightly with 4-million lights and a variety of special holiday events throughout the theme park during Smoky Mountain Christmas. Scheduled shows during Smoky Mountain Christmas include “Christmas in the Smokies,” “Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland,” “O’ Holy Night,” “Appalachian Christmas” and many more! Smoky Mountain Christmas will also feature The Polar Express 4-D Experience.
BOOK YOUR DOLLYWOOD VACATION TODAY!
Make plans to take the whole family to Dollywood during the 2009 season and experience all of the new attractions, live entertainment venues and great festivals this dynamic theme park has to offer. And by planning ahead and doing research online, you can enjoy incredible savings on accommodations. For example, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort is a rustic mountain resort that sits on approximately 70 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest national park East of the Rockies. Most of the spacious suites at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort feature a scenic riverside or mountain view, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, whirlpool spa and washer/dryer.
The abundance of onsite amenities at Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort includes the 60,000-square-foot Wild Bear Falls water park (the largest indoor water park in the South), two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, fitness facility and 24-hour marketplace. Enjoy award-winning barbecue at the casual Westgate Smokehouse Grill. The adjacent Mason Jar Lounge serves appetizers and snacks along with your favorite beverage. Escape to the new Serenity Spa by Westgate and indulge in a mountain hot stone massage, manicure, pedicure or facial. For more information about Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, visit www.westgatedestinations.com.
Filed under: Westgate, Westgate Resorts, Westgate Smoky Mountains | Tagged: Dolly Parton, Dollywood, Dollywood Festivals, Mason Jar Lounge, pigeon forge, tennessee, Westgate Resorts, Westgate Smokehouse Grill, Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort, Westgate Smoky Mountains, Wild Bear Falls
