Saturday, October 5, 2024

Dolly Parton, Walmart join together to donate millions to Helene flood response in East Tennessee

Story link at WATE, Knoxville's ABC affiliate - click here

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — East Tennessee's own Dolly Parton partnered with several Sevier County attractions and Walmart to make a significant donation to flood relief at an event Friday.

The event took place at the Walmart in Newport, Tennessee. Parton announced she was making a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims. On top of that, Parton's East Tennessee businesses, Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, and the Dollywood Foundation, matched her donation, bringing the total contributions made to Mountain Ways $2 million.

"We wish that we were all together for another reason, but we all have seen the devastation. I mean, who knew in our little part of the country here where I was born, raised just right down the road, that we would have this kind of devastation? And I look around and I think 'These are my mountains, these are my valleys'," Parton said. "'These are my people and this is my home.' And I just want all of you to know that, like Eugene was saying, remember when we had the fires, everybody pitched in, tried to do everything that they could, and so I really think that this is a time for me to step up again. For all of us to step up and do what we can."

Eugene Naughton, the president of the Dollywood Company, spoke just before Dolly at the event, reflecting on the 2016 fires in Sevier County and how the fires proved how resilient the community is.

"Just one week ago, thousands of lives again were impacted across the East Tennessee, Western North Carolina and points beyond, and while in Sevier County we were spared the major damage, the lessons we learned from the Smoky Mountain wildfire, those of resilience, those of determination, and those of love for others, led us to reach out to our neighbors to determine how we could help following the recent flooding," Naughton said.

  • (WATE)
  • (WATE)
  • (WATE)

During the event, Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner announced the company, including Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, would be donating a total of $10 million to hurricane relief efforts across the affected states. Part of the money will be going to the East Tennessee Foundation.

He shared that his family moved to Franklin, Tennessee in 1979, and he saw as Walmart expanded into Appalachia and East Tennessee.

"We'll be here. Not until the media leaves, but until we recover, and that's what's going to happen here, we're going to recover," said Furner.

Dollywood had already worked with its sponsorship partner Coca-Cola to donate a semi-truck full of water for distribution in Cocke County. Dollywood has also donated 60,000 reusable masks, 30,000 disposable protective garments and 2.5 million disposable masks to be used for cleanup efforts across East Tennessee.

In conjunction with the donation centers established by the city of Pigeon Forge, Dollywood will become a donation drop-off location for those wishing to donate cleanup items, including buckets with lids, tarps, shovels, rakes, trash bags,  work gloves, masks, cleaning wipes, diapers,
baby formula and food, can openers, first aid supplies, personal hygiene items, kitty litter, new socks and underwear, clean towels and blankets, laundry detergent, pet food and hand sanitizer. The designated drop-off point for donations is at the front gate of the park.

Wrapping up the event, Parton answered a few questions, including one asking what she would say to those who have lost everything.

"I know it's easy for us to say, 'Oh, things are going to get better' when things are still really bad. All we can say is that 'We are with you, we love you. We hope that things get better real soon and we're going to do our part to try to make that possible. We love you and we appreciate you. And we thank you.' And I think that with God's help and all help with all these good people. We'll make it. We'll come. We'll be better than ever one of these days."

Among her many other accolades, Parton is well known for her philanthropy work throughout the region, especially in times of disaster. In 2021, Parton donated a portion of ticket sales from Dollywood and her many dinner shows to help those affected by flooding in Middle Tennessee. Parton was also involved with the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund, which gave $1,000 to Sevier County families whose homes were uninhabitable or destroyed by the 2016 Sevier County wildfires. In total, more than $9 million was raised during a star-studded telethon, allowing Parton to surprise the families being helped through the fund with a final $5,000 check.

On Thursday, a report shared that two East Tennessee stars, Dolly Parton and Morgan Wallen, reached out to Governor Bill Lee to offer their assistance to victims of flooding in Tennessee. Earlier in the week, Red Cross officials confirmed that Wallen’s foundation had donated half a million dollars toward the relief efforts after Hurricane Helene.


From WVLT-tv, CBS affiliate in Knoxville



WBIR-tv is Knoxville's NBC affilate

 

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Hurricane Helene & Dollywood - Getting to Dollywood from North Carolina

Hi Everyone,

Helene swept through our region, causing minor damage around Dollywood, but the impact was significantly less severe than what we witnessed in far east Tennessee, such as Greeneville and Unicoi County. The damage was even more extreme in western North Carolina, including Asheville and numerous smaller mountain communities.

Several people are reported missing, though many are likely out of communication due to widespread power outages and disrupted cell service. Wi-Fi has been a lifeline for those fortunate enough to have restored power, allowing them to stay connected with loved ones.

 

Two major interstates that are used to get North Carolinians to Dollywood are indefinitely closed.  I40 at the state line washed into the river below.  I26 has some sections that were washed away.  Fortunately, there are alternatives to those routes.

google maps - September 29, 2024

πŸ”ΆIf you can get to Wytheville, Virginia, then head south on I81 to I40 West, to Exit 407 to get to Dollywood.
πŸ”Ά441 through the mountains is Now Open- 10/2/24.

πŸ”ΆHwy 129 - "The Dragon" - OPEN - NO SEMI TRUCKS!!!

See NCDOT for the most Up To Date Info - Link





What Im seeing Online:  I've been monitoring a few Facebook feeds and groups from North Carolina.  Most of the feeds are trying to connect loved ones from out of state with those that have been disconnected by the storm.  I've seen lots of happy endings and several sad ones too.  There are numerous Now & Then pics of how things used to look.  People looking for and connecting others with resources like gas, shelters, food, toiletries, and basic necessities.  

Here is one story from the Chimney Rock Area of North Carolina.

If you are looking to help in some type of way, then some good advice I saw, was look up state/county websites to see what resources they are asking for.  If you're not sure where to start, begin by googling Pet Shelters in these communities - no doubt they all need some assistance right now.  Red Cross is another good place to start.

Here are some of the places accepting donations in North Carolina - 
  • LIST at Link - local NPR station, BPR.   A note at the top of the article says many of these resources are winding down - 10/3/24.
  • Operation Airdrop
Here are the counties impacted by Helene
Tennessee
  • Unicoi County
  • Washington
  • Sullivan
  • Greene
  • Hawkins
  • Hancock
  • Grainger

North Carolina
  • Haywood
  • Madison
  • Yancey
  • Mitchel
  • Avery
  • Watauga
  • Ashe
  • Jackson
  • Transylvania
  • Buncombe
  • McDowel
  • Burke
  • Caldwell
  • Wilkes
  • Henderson
  • Rutherford
  • Polk
  • Alexander
  • Catawba
  • Lincoln
  • Cleveland
  • Gaston
Additional Resources
https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene


road closure map

emergency updates on nextdoor

How to help east Tennessee after Helene

πŸ”΄ United Way has created a fund to help those affected by Helene. https://www.unitedwaync.org/
πŸ”΄American Red Cross - You can visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation. People can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation. https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2024/red-cross-responds-to-hurricane-helene.html
πŸ”΄The Salvation Army is accepting donation and mobilizing disaster response teams. https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
πŸ”΄Baptists on a Mission volunteers are putting teams together to serve those affected in North Carolina as conditions allow. https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene/Update
πŸ”΄Samaritan’s Purse’s headquarters is in Boone. They are currently scheduling volunteers to help homeowners with the destruction in the city. https://spvolunteer.org/project-response/743
πŸ”΄Find a recovery group to help via the North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster list or find a group to volunteer with. https://www.ncvoad.org/volunteer/
πŸ”΄GoFundMe has launched a hub for Helene relief that includes some North Carolina fundraisers. https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/hurricane-helene

Should I Take My Tennessee Vacation?? YES
I know that a lot of folks who are wanting to know if they can take their hard-earned vacation in the Smokies.  If you can get here safely, then I say yes, please do.   

If you're in North Carolina and out of the impacted areas, then you can drive up to Wytheville, Virginia on Interstate 77, then head down 81 South to 40 West and then to Exit 407 and, boom, you're here.  See my map, up above.

I travel to Wilmington NC from Knoxville semi-frequently and there are were four major routes across North Carolina that I can chose from. They are all nearly identical travel times, so take your pick, except Interstate 40 which is closed indefinitely at the border, and 26, which has a closed section. 

This whole situation has been heartbreaking in so many ways - to see the destruction of a hurricane so far inland.  I've never seen anything like that here.  Had Helene's path been a little further to the west, then where I live would have been in the crosshairs of the damage.  It's just all a bit shocking.  Take care everyone!


Monday, September 9, 2024

πŸŽƒ Dollywood's Harvest Festival 2024 - Tasting Pass, Park Info + More! πŸ‘»

Hi Everyone,
Dollywood has released information related to the Harvest Festival, including the Tasting Pass and their festival menu.   The Harvest Festival starts on Monday, September 9th and runs thru October 28th.




Dollywood remains open daily throughout the Harvest Festival, operating from 10am to 9pm. The planned closures following the festival strongly suggest that the park is gearing up for the transition to Smoky Mountain Christmas, which begins on November 1st.  
Source Link (dw..com)


πŸŽƒ πŸŽƒ πŸŽƒ


Let's dig into some more details.

🟠Harvest Festival Menu Items - Beverages, Savory Bites & Desserts

🟑Beverages
 πŸŸ‘Savory Bites

 πŸŸ‘Desserts, mmmm desserts.


Click on any picture to enlarge - These are from the Dollywood Website, Check it out HERE.

🟠Country Fair Buffet Menu





🟠Tasting Pass Options



Don't forget to use your Gold & Diamond Pass for a discount.

This tasting pass is the same as all the other passes before it.  You get to chose any five items from the Harvest Festival Menu.  You don't have to use them all in one visit.  You can share a pass - they could make for a great date night meal! 



🟠What's Up Around The Park?  Artisans, Craftspeople, Music, Food, Photo Spots, Pumpkin Spice and everything nice!

Relive the magic of last year's harvest festival through these photos of our fun activities. Get excited for what we have in store for 2024!
🟠Rides - All of the rides should be in operation.  Daredevil Falls usually closes at dusk, while Smoky Mountain Rampage usually closes with the park.  The last day of the season for the two water rides, in the recent past, has been the end of the Harvest Festival, So, October 28, 2024.

Dollywood does have Weather Guidelines that they follow for inclement weather and temperatures, and Smoky Mountain Weather can throw some curveballs.  Read my blog post about Dollywood's Weather Guidelines HERE.

🟠VIP Tour
Learn More at dollywood.com, click here.


🟠Photo Opportunities

 This was written and published by Wes Ramey for the dollywood blog in 2023, but it looks as though it was removed perhaps.  Anyhow, it's still great info in my opinion, for photo opps for your socials.

My family loves to take photos when we visit, and there’s a colorful photo op right when we enter the park called Harvest Sky. We can’t wait to stand beneath the thousands of vibrant, shimmering leaves swaying in the breeze along Showstreet. Then we’ll definitely have to stand in front of the colossal pumpkins—last year’s pumpkins ranged in weight from 800 to 1500 lbs. each and came from growers across the East Coast. We also love stopping by and seeing all the visiting artisans to see what amazing handmade wares they have brought with them, with many of them demonstrating their skills and techniques while creating one-of-a-kind treasures that we can purchase to take home with us to relive our time at Dollywood this fall whenever we want.
🟠Music 
According to dollywood.com....
Music fills the fall air as dozens of talented artists perform daily across the streets and stages of Dollywood. Listen for bluegrass, country and southern gospel acts paired with the Smokies' spectacular fall foliage and crisp autumn breezes for an engaging and enchanting way to experience an authentic mountain fall. Don't miss a minute of the music—download the Dollywood app to see the latest showtimes.


Here are Some of the many names I see and recognize immediately:

  • Suzy Bogguss 
  • TG Sheppard
  • Cruz and Billy Conterras
  • Gloryway
  • Mandy Barnett
  • The Young Fables
  • Mike Snodgrass
  • Rhonda Vincent
  • Leroy Parnell
  • Fiddling Leona with JP (video here)
  • And many, many more!

⭐Check out Dollywood's Website for the latest information about Special Harvest Entertainment.  HERE.  

🟠Dollywood App

🟠Special Offers



πŸŽƒ πŸŽƒ πŸŽƒ


Check out my previous videos from Dollywood's Harvest festival to get a preview of all the fun you can expect.









πŸ”΅Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information

Good luck with the planning process and ask any questions you may have in the comments below.  I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.


#Dollywood #DollywoodTripPlanning #PigeonForgeTennessee #TennesseeTourism #vlog #blog #pigeonforgeattractions

Monday, August 26, 2024

🟒🟒Dollywood: Plan the Perfect School Break Getaway🟒🟒


Hi Everyone,
Planning a family vacation around regional school breaks? Look no further! After extensive research, I have copy/pasted a comprehensive list of fall break, Christmas break, and spring break calendars for school districts throughout the region.

πŸ”΅Spring & Fall Break Chart, includes Christmas Break!

This handy chart is published by the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism (pdf).  It lists break dates for the many school systems that frequent Dollywood during their respective Spring & Fall breaks along with dates for Christmas breaks.  It includes the first and last day of school for each school system as well.  Click on the image to make it bigger.






πŸ”΅Crowd Calendar

Another helpful Dollywood Trip Planning tool is the Dollywood Crowd Calendar!  It's run by a third party that analyzes ride wait times that Dollywood publishes for their app.

πŸ”ΉClick here.


A cool feature of the Crowd Calendar is that it works at more parks than just Dollywood, so check it out while you're doing your trip planning.

You may also appreciate the Ride Wait Times section of the website.  You can see live wait times outside of the park.

πŸ”΅Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information

Good luck with the planning process and ask any questions you may have in the comments below.  I'll do my best to answer or point you in the right direction.


#Dollywood #DollywoodTripPlanning #PigeonForgeTennessee #TennesseeTourism #vlog #blog #pigeonforgeattractions

Friday, July 26, 2024

πŸŒŸπŸ’΅Save Money - Current Promotions for Dollywood & other Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Sevierville Attractions πŸ’΅πŸŒŸ

Hi Everyone,
Let's check out the current promotions that Dollywood is offering - as of MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025.

DOLLYWOOD'S CURRENT DISCOUNTS As of SEPTEMBER 29, 2025
Link to dollywood.com for tickets and more info - click here.

🟒New - 9/17/25 - EARLY RENEWALS FOR CURRENT SEASON PASS HOLDERS.  Ends October 12, 2025.  Find all of this information and purchase at https://www.dollywood.com/tickets/season-passes/






🟒
This discount is for all-season.

SPLASH COUNTRY DEALS - Splash Country Reopens in May of 2026



Dollywood Resorts Deals

There are currently 9 Different Special Resort Offers as of SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 - Check them out HERE

Other Dollywood Discounts


🟒🟒I HIGHLY recommend checking this out, Dollywood will update it frequently with new deals and offers. Dollywood.com's Offers Web Page - you may see an offer you like! - Click Here
As of SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 - there are 12 different offers available.

🟒🟒Dollywood 10% Discounts through Sam's Club - LINK HERE

As of SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 - Use your Sam's Club Membership to get 10% Off.  $93 for Adult 10+, $83 for kids 4-9.  Read details at link for all the info you need, and to purchase tickets.


πŸ”΅OTHER PROMOTIONS FOR THE AREA...As of SEPTEMBER 29, 2025.






Attention Dig'N Zone fans!🚜πŸ₯³ Get 20% off your 2025 stay at Parkside Resort in Pigeon Forge! 🏞️ (Holidays excluded.) Use code "DIGNZONE2025" at parksideresort.com to book!! πŸ•️ Don’t miss out—start planning today! πŸ₯³πŸ€©






If you know of any additional discounts, please let me know in the comments below.  I will update this post when I have updates.

πŸ”΅Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

🟒🟒🟒

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

🌺🌻New Videos - Flower and Food Festival 2024🌸πŸͺ·

My Blog Post Title

Hi Everyone, hope your summer is well.  It sure is flying by, it seems.  I was able to get my awesome day at the Flower and Food Festival videos published.  There's Two Parts, one and two.  Check them out below!





🟑🚌New Grayline One-Day Bus Tour from Downtown Nashville to Dollywood and back🚌🟑

Hi Everyone, It recently came to my attention that Grey Line Bus Tours offers a Nashville-to-Dollywood-Nashville one-day trip available for ...