We're passionate about all things Dollywood and Sevier County, and we want to share that passion with you. Come along as we explore all that this beautiful area has to offer. From Dollywood and Splash Country to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove, there's something for everyone in Sevier County.
We're also big fans of Dolly Parton, and we'll be sure to keep you up-to-date on her latest news and projects. We're sure you'll find something to love here.
I love stories like this. Stories of folks who are inspired by Dolly Parton so much, that they have to create! Let’s meet artist JJ Barrows, who was profiled by our local NBC Affiliate, WBIR. At the bottom of the article, there is a video tutorial from JJ Barrows - be sure to watch.
Artist creates "Dolly Carton" crowns to spread joy and uniqueness
JJ Barrows finds joy in being herself and putting her creativity on display. That's why she spends hours creating "Dolly Carton" cake toppers and crowns.
Author: Katie Inman
Published: 6:09 PM EST November 7, 2022
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — An East Tennessee artist combines her love of Dolly Parton and creativity to craft a crown she dons at Dollywood. JJ Barrows is most herself while covered in craft supplies. Her art studio in her Chattanooga home is filled to the gills with glitter, paint and pom poms.
"When I can't find the words to express myself, I'm creating, I'm painting, I'm getting it out," Barrows said.
Barrows is an artist, author and comedian.
"I wear a lot of hats," Barrows said. "I make some of them, but I also just wear some."
One of her favorite "hats," though, is an ode to East Tennessee's favorite songbird. It's called a Dolly Carton, because two egg carton pieces are fastened to the front of Dolly's chest.
The crowns were first cultivated from curiosity.
"I just looked at the bottom of my egg cartons one day," Barrows said. "I just looked at them laying there upside down one day and I was like, 'Dolly Parton!'"
Credit: JJ Barrows
Barrows and her husband moved from California to Chattanooga not long ago. It wasn't long before they decided they wanted to make one of the biggest commitments they could make in their marriage: getting Dollywood season passes.
"I kind of joked I went from Hollywood to Dollywood," Barrows said.
Now, this passholder wears the well-rounded work of art with pride to the queen's theme park in Sevier County.
"People always like to comment on them when you wear them in public or for any kind of like fun event," Barrows said. "It's so fun."
With each paint stroke, pipe cleaner and pom-pom, she finds her purpose.
"At a certain point in life, it came really important for me to let who I am out and show up instead of trying to continue to conform to who I thought I was supposed to be or who other people wanted me to be," Barrows said.
That's why she admires the busty blueprint, who has paved the way for so many others to embrace who they are.
"She's just an inspiring individual for being yourself, being true to yourself, showing up as yourself, not apologizing for who you are," Barrows said.
This artist is finding the masterpiece in the mess, with the musician's help.
"Life is hard and beautiful, and you have way more freedom than you think or know to show up as yourself," Barrows said.
Barrows wears a lot of hats, and she'll never stop creating new ones.
You can make your own Dolly Cartons at home. Linked here is a video showing you how to make the craft using basic art supplies.
For Barrows' comedic side, she will be hosting a fundraiser comedy show on December 15 at the Comedy Catch in Chattanooga. It's all to support Meals on Wheels.
Dolly Parton must never sleep apparently, because I struggle to keep up with everything she has going on, along with Dollywood's forever-changing aspects that I cover on this blog. So, what is new with Dolly?
Dolly has teamed up with premium cooking and entertaining gurus at Williams-Sonoma.
Dolly has a line of products at Williams-Sonoma for the holiday season. My favorite item is the Dolly Parton Advent Calendar, seen below from their website.
Available at Williams-Sonoma
How cute is that? You can celebrate this Christmas with a little bit of Dolly, every single day in December.
It's all awesome. This is currently available exclusively at Williams-Sonoma, while supplies last, so be sure to head down to your local mall or order online...if not for yourself, these would make great gifts.
In addition to those products, Dolly currently has a line of dinnerware and home goods available at Kohl's. Let's take a look at some of that product line.
Additionally, Dolly currently has a line of Doggy Clothes called Doggy Parton. I have a video of a Doggy Parton merchandise display at the Emporium at Dollywood. You can see my blog post here, and watch my video below. Since my video, they have released a few Christmas related items.
Dolly also maintains an internet store with even more stuff, like t-shirts, sweatshirts, books, current music and all kinds of things you didn't even know you needed. Check out her internet store here.
If the Dolly Parton fanatic in your life needs a gift, you have plenty of options to consider.
I'm not aware of other product lines out there, but I would not be surprised if there are others. Are you aware of anything else? Let me know in the comments and send a link if possible.
As you may have heard, Dollywood's own Dreamer in Chief, Dolly Parton was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a celebratory performance ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday November the 5th! Dolly was nominated in March and humbly declined to participate, believing that she didn’t want to take away a spot from someone who had dedicated his or her professional career to “Rock and Roll”. Dolly eventually relented after learning that the RnR HOF is broader than she had initially thought. So, she was voted in by fans and here we are with the induction celebration. This will air in the United States on HBO on November 19th, so we will not have to wait very long to see the performance.
Other inductees this year include many familiar music artists. Duran Duran, Eminim, Eurythmics, Pat Benatar, Judas Priest, Lionel Richie, Carly Simon and more.
Variety covered the performance and has great media to accompany their article, so let’s take a look at Variety’s Report.
As it is reported, Dolly Parton seemingly stole the finale with a star-studded rendition of Jolene with Annie Lennox, Simon LeBon, Pat Benatar joining others! That is really a wild sight to see and believe!!
Although for official purposes all Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are created equal, some are bound to loom larger than others when the rubber hits the road. And so, as much as hardcore fans of Duran Duran or Judas Priest might have flooded into L.A.’s Microsoft Theatre in ordinate numbers for Saturday night’s ceremony honoring the hall’s class of 2022, it was always a foregone conclusion that the show’s all-star climax was going to revolve around the most culturally iconic of them all, Dolly Parton. If she showed up to accept, that is, but after some initial uncertainty about her willingness earlier in the year, there was no doubt that she would not only appear but be the belle of the country-rock ball.
Actually, the final moments of the five-and-a-half-hour show were devoted to a duet between Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire.” But that was more like a quick epilogue after a long segment devoted to Parton that included renditions by the superstar and/or other inductees and guests of “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” “Coat of Many Colors” and a brand new song she wrote especially for the occasion called “Rockin’.” Although other inductees on the bill noted that they had to condense their careers into an eight-and-a-half-minute performance time slot, that rule was hardly being strictly enforced for what amounted to a Dolly Fest before and after the clock struck 12.
Dolly Parton and Rob Halford perform onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
The influx of guests for what appeared to be the show’s finale — a group-sing of “Jolene” — and the eclecticism of this year’s incoming roster of new members led to the sight of some strange bedfellows. As in: probably few people in history had considered the thought that Parton and Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford would ever be singing harmony together. And the idea that even Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon would be singing lines from “Jolene” had probably not crossed as many minds as it should have leading up to the show (which will be edited for its broadcast premiere on HBO Nov. 19).
Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran, P!nk and Dolly Parton perform onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Of course, there were less unusual suspects involved in the tribute segment as well, including Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow, the Zac Brown Bad and the woman who formally inducted Parton, Pink — prior to a “Jolene” that brought to the stage additional guests such as Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, along with Halford and LeBon.
Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton, Olivia Rodrigo and P!nk attend the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
In purely musical terms, the highlight of the tribute segment was also its simplest — a sublime duet between Carlile and Pink of one of Parton’s signature storytelling ballads, “Coat of Many Colors.” The energy ramped up a bit from there as Crow and the Zac Brown Band (which provided backing for the entire sequence) teamed up for “9 to 5.”
As the clock wound down on that cover, Parton got howls of appreciation as she reappeared on the stage with an electric guitar in skintight black that was clearly meant to signify: Dolly Parton, Once Reluctant and Now Unabashedly Enthusiastic Rock Chick. “And you thought I couldn’t rock!” she exclaimed. “I figured if I’m gonna be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m gonna have to earn it,” she explained, before busting out a new song with freshly minted lyrics that contrasted her rural Tennessee upbringing with the early days of rock: “I grew up loving Elvis and wild man Jerry Lee / Chuck Berry and Little Richard, they all cast a spell on me / Carl Perkins in those blue suede shoes had no place on the farm / But they was better than those I was wearing around the barn.”
Dolly Parton performs onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
The new “Rockin'” song also included lines about her not going for what her country preacher said about “that devil music, it’ll send you straight to hell / It sent me straight to heaven.” The chorus vowed, “I’ve still got rock ‘n’ roll down in my country soul / And I’ll be rockin’ it till the cows come home.” Naturally, though, the biggest whoops came for timely lines in the last verse that included: “Country’s in my veins / But since I heard the news, I ain’t never been the same… / They done gone and put me in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Dolly Parton and Simon Le Bon attend the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
In her introductory speech, Pink praised Parton by saying, “There are few finer songwriters, male or female, that have ever lived… She’s one of the greatest storytellers of her time – of any time.” The speech cited her as a writer skilled in evoking “what it’s like to be human and what it’s like to be a woman in America,” with specific themes and songs called out, like “poverty, shame, the cruelty of bullying and love for her mama” in “Coat of Many Colors,” suicide in “The Bridge,” trauma over a stillborn child in “Down From Dover,” and of course, writing the “number one most selling song of a female for all time, ‘I Will Always Love You.’ Apparently she wasn’t exhausted after that sheer genius, because on the same night, she wrote ‘Jolene.’ Show-off!” Pink talked about her philanthropy in giving 150 million books to children, among other good works, but seemed particularly obsessed with other aspects of Parton’s persona. Like: “She plays the guitar with long, talon-like fingernails and never misses a note.” And: “Who here has a hologram of themselves at their very own amusement park?” (Pink subsequently added that she really would like to go more in-depth on the Dolly hologram, but would refrain.)
Inductee US singer-songwriter Dolly Parton speaks on stage next to US singer-songwriter Pink during the 37th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Microsoft Theatre on November 5, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
Parton, not surprisingly, devoted much of her speech to further explaining why she tried, in vain, to turn down her nomination after it came in, only to be told by the Rock Hall that voting was already underway, and that she’d get into the hall whether she wanted it or not, if voters decreed it. They did, of course, but well before the final verdict came on, Parton had a change of heart, saying she really had not understood that the Hall of Fame already has plenty of members from genres adjacent to rock.
“I’m sure a lot of you knew that back when they said they were gonna put me in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I didn’t really feel like I had done enough to deserve that. And I didn’t understand at the time that it’s about a little more than that,” she said. “But I’m just honored and so proud to be here tonight. … When I always thought about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I thought that was just for people in rock ‘n’ roll!
“And I thought, well, if I’m gonna be in (it), I’m gonna have to do a rock album, because my husband of 56 years is a huge rock fan. And all through the house he has music louder than this going on at all times. He’s always said, “You should do a rock album.” And I thought about it a few times, but timing is everything. And then when this all came up… I thought, well, since I am gonna be in the (hall), I’m gonna write a song for tonight, which I’m gonna sing in a minute, kind of telling my story about how I felt about it. “
Anticipating that pledge to do such an album, she asked, “Are any of you rock stars gonna help me out on that? Good, because I’m gonna hold you to it. … I’m just honored to be part of it and have all the friends here tonight that are going into the Hall of Fame with me. So I just feel proud to be here, as Minnie Pearl would say.”
Olivia Rodrigo and Dolly Parton attend the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Later, as much of the cast from the night lined up for the cluster-singing of “Jolene,” Parton surveyed her immediate landscape and continued to establish herself as both part of the inductee gang and something separate and different. “We got a star-studded stage up here, don’t we? I feel like a hillbilly in the city.”
Dolly Parton at the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Red Carpet held at the Microsoft Theatre on November 5, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.Christopher Polk for Variety
Check out the video posted by Variety!!
Speechless! Be sure to tune in on HBO on November19th for the full edited performance, and on the app afterwards.
It is time for Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, and as usual, there is a lot to take in. Dollywood’s Blog has been busy publishing all types of helpful information related to the festival, so I will recap it in this post. Let’s Dig Into It!
First, we’ll look at everything going on in the park to decorate it, and then I’ll show you the blog post that has all of the food for the Tasting Pass! As a bonus, I’ll share links to two more blog posts about how the park transforms from Harvest time to Christmas time! And we'll see how the DreamMore Resort celebrates Christmas! I will post any updates at the bottom of this article.
🎅🎅🎅
Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas: Now with 6 Million Lights!
Dollywood is always an amazing experience no matter the season. But for me, there is something a little more special when the park is decked out with more than 5 million lights…wait, check that. Sorry. There is something special about the park decked out with 6 million lights. Yes, you read that correctly. Our special events team is hard at work putting up an extra million lights throughout the park to bring the total number of shining, shimmering lights to 6 million as part of our popular Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 5- Jan 1, 2023).
This event, which is the 14-time Golden Ticket winner of Best Theme Park Christmas event, shines brightly thanks to the warmth of those 6 million gleaming holiday lights, award-winning stage productions, Christmas culinary masterpieces and the warm family traditions so many guests have enjoyed throughout the festival’s 30 plus years.
Dollywood truly sparkles this Christmas season with new lighting elements throughout the park providing an element of surprise around every corner, even if you’re aboard the Dollywood Express. Visitors riding our guest-favorite attraction will enjoy a special light show draped across the field located inside the train’s upper turning loop. Another new lighted area is the Village Pass, which features a 130’ light curtain wall that includes programmed movement. This area leads from lower Craftsman’s Valley to The Village. Adventures in Imagination shines in pink, platinum and gold decorations—as well as 60 LED butterflies and a new 20’ ft. tall Christmas tree—in an area fittingly called Dolly’s Christmas.
You’ll also find hundreds of additional lighted trees throughout the park this year, as well as more new décor elements and eight different light zones to provide each area of Dollywood its own unique look and feel.
(note that this has been cancelled for the year) Returning this year on Friday and Saturday evenings is the “Merry & Bright!” fireworks display, which provides a sparkling ending to the day. “Merry & Bright!” lights the sky above Dollywood with a display set to the rhythm of upbeat contemporary holiday hits. After Christmas, the music changes to help guests get ready to ring in the new year. Additionally, the New Year’s version of the show takes place nightly Dec. 26- Jan. 1.
In one of the most unique experiences during the Christmas season at Dollywood, Old Saint Nick allows kids (and kids at heart) a sneak peek into his little cabin in the Smokies. Guests who visit Santa’s cabin can literally see inside as he reviews…the list! Kids discover whether their names are on the naughty or nice list, and they might even have their photo made as they peer through the window during this once-in-a-lifetime chance to catch Santa at work. Santa goes on a well-deserved vacation after Christmas Day, so families wanting to see him in action shouldn’t wait!
Glacier Ridge fills Dollywood’s Timber Canyon, Wildwood Grove, Wilderness Pass and Upper Craftsman’s Valley with an expansive arctic experience sure to inspire and delight guests. Wilderness Pass serves as one of the highlights of Glacier Ridge thanks to the Wonderful Christmas! Plaza Tree Show, which features a 50-ft. tall animated tree sparkling to life to present a fully-synchronized, dazzling light show throughout the evening. Each show is capped by an immersive snow finale!
Dollywood’s family favorite shows light up both indoor and outdoor stages. The festival’s headline show, “Christmas in the Smokies,” has been a must-see for families every Christmas season since it began in 1990. Many other Dollywood Christmas classics return including “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “O’ Holy Night,” “Christmas with the Kingdom Heirs,” “Heart of the Holidays,” “Candlelight Carolers,” “The Mistletones,” “Appalachian Christmas with the Smoky Mountain String Band,” “Holiday Wild Roots” and more.
If you’re looking for food (like me!), our team of chefs have a menu full of culinary surprises sure to delight. From herb-roasted turkey breast and citrus-glazed carved ham to chicken pot pie in a bread cone, there are a number of savory items to satisfy every appetite. A number of unique items abound including eggnog cupcakes, gingerbread-dusted funnel cake, holiday limeade and more.
As always, you can experience all of our world-class rides amidst the hustle and bustle of the park during the holidays, as most rides are operational during the Christmas season. Nothing compares to racing quickly through the night sky with millions of lights twinkling below.
It doesn’t matter what makes Christmas special for you, Dollywood is the place to make once-in-a-lifetime family memories this holiday season.
🎅🎅🎅
On to the Food!
So Many Culinary Choices with Dollywood’s Holiday Tasting Pass
When I think of favorite childhood Christmases, they always involve food. Baking sugar cookies with my mama with all the feels and sprinkles. The amazing aroma and warmth of chili on a chilly Christmas Eve after the candlelight service at church. My grandmother’s kitchen on Christmas Day, helping her take her amazing homemade rolls out of the oven and waiting until dessert for her homemade pumpkin and mincemeat pies.
These days, I’m making new memories involving my favorite foods at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, thanks to the amazing talents of the award-winning culinary team. I’m even more excited about this year’s festival food because we’ve added a holiday tasting pass that will allow me to try not one, not two, but five festival tastes and treats while walking among Dollywood’s 6 million Christmas lights! For one price, festival goers can choose from a wide variety of treats, sweets, meats and more from throughout Dollywood’s amazing array of eateries – all with a special holiday flavor. Literally, I can’t think of a better Christmas present to give myself!
Let’s get started on what we can choose from. And life is short, so we’re beginning with dessert options. I’m super excited that many of my sweet treat choices are in the gingerbread family: a gingerbread funnel cake, ice cream in a gingerbread cone, and gingerbread churros with a side of peppermint eggnog dipping sauce. Pick from eggnog, hot chocolate or sugar cookie cupcakes, and holiday-inspired iced sugar cookies also are among the satisfyingly sweet options at the bakery. Want even more in the sweet department? Try the holiday ice cream sandwich with your choice of ice cream between Belgian waffles, dipped in chocolate and topped with a peppermint crumble crust. Yes, please!
Now on to some hot and hearty selections that are part of the holiday Tasting Pass options. There are so many delicious dishes – it’s going to be hard to choose, but I think I’m going to have to start with several poultry specialties. The Christmas Toastie Sandwich combines roasted turkey pot roast, stuffing, Brussels sprouts and Swiss cheese on a delicious roll. Then, there’s Dollywood’s Southern-style chicken pot pie served in a homemade bread cone, chipotle turkey nachos, and the turkey campfire skillet. Maybe I’ll add a side of pot roast fries – these literally sound like the best combination of flavors I can think of for any season!
👄
Want to add some sizzle for a perfect warm holiday meal? One of the specialty skillets combines candied pork belly, white potatoes, onions and peppers, while another combines the savory taste of a sweet Italian sausage rope with red and white skillet-style potatoes, onions and peppers.
Soup and salad more your thing? Dollywood has menu items for that! Loaded creamy potato soup overflows with the tastes of chive, cheddar and bacon, while Bush’s three-bean chili features a trio of cannellini, kidney and pinto beans with ground beef and a cornbread crumble on top. Shake up your meal choices with the holiday shaker salad – a flavorful mix of Arcadian style greens, almonds, cranberries and Feta cheese topped with pomegranate maple vinaigrette.
All that food is sure to make you thirsty, and there are options on the holiday tasting pass menu for that, too. Spice up your Dollywood day with holiday limeade or enjoy a tangy cranberry orange drink. Sounds like a perfect complement to basically anything else I can taste while on my Smoky Mountain Christmas culinary experience.
If you’re planning a trip to Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, getting several tasting passes for the family is a great way to go. Then you can try all kinds of different things and decide what your favorites are. You can get them on our website or at many food locations when you arrive at the theme park; it comes on a lanyard to wear around your neck, so it’s easy to use and is a fun souvenir!
Now back to one of the hardest parts of my Christmas to-do list this year – figuring out which five items I’m going to try on my holiday Tasting Pass. Wonder if I can buy one for my husband and get to choose 10? Wish me luck with that idea – and happy holiday dining, y’all!
🎅🎅🎅
Two Three Bonus Articles from the Dollywood Blog!!
🎁 Let's go back to the Dollywood blog and read Amber Davis' article showing us how Dollywood flips over to Christmas. Read that HERE.
🎁One final article by Jennifer Webb goes into the details of how the DreamMore Resort celebrates Christmas. This is where Dolly stays when she visits for the holidays. Read that HERE.
🎁Dollywood's Christmas Gift Guide, written by Josh Sauer. It's just what it says it is, and you can read that article here.
Thanks for Reading! What are you most excited about with the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival? The food, the atmosphere, the shows, the night rides, the Christmas lights? Let me know in the comments. Until next time!
Dollywood has released the menu items and pricing for their Tasting Pass for Smoky Mountain Christmas. Let's dig into the details.
As you can see, it's $34.99. Gold and Diamond Season Pass holders get $3 off, so $31.99.
If you're going to Dollywood for a date night, one pass might be enough for a couple to split amongst themselves. If you plan on visiting Dollywood more than once during the festival, then use two or three items, bring it back for the remaining items. Or use it all in one visit! The portions can be on the small side, but not for every item.
At the very bottom of this article, I have included a map with circles indicating all the locations listed in this post.
Posts
👄
