🌟2025 Press Release, 2025 Calendar, and MORE 🌟

Exciting News from Dollywood for 2025!

Get ready for another amazing year at Dollywood!

• Latest News: [Press Release Below]
• 2025 Operating Calendar: [Scroll down to calendar]
• Holiday Breaks Planning Guide: [Scroll down to Link to Fall-Xmas-Spring Break chart]
• 2025 Season Pass Information: [Scroll down to Link to 2025 Season Pass Info]

Press Release about 2025 40th Anniversary Year Plans

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--One of Dolly Parton’s greatest dreams—the little theme park named Dollywood that opened in her home county in 1986—has now become one of the world’s leading family destinations and is set to celebrate its 40th season in 2025. Dollywood Parks & Resorts looks a lot different than it did when it opened on May 3, 1986, but the mission at its heart remains the same—to create a welcoming environment where families can enjoy making memories together.

“But look at how far we’ve come since then—and we’re just getting started!”

Dollywood has special events, new celebrations and several returning favorites planned to commemorate the milestone anniversary. The fun begins at Tripadvisor’s #1 US theme park with Season Passholder Preview Day set for Friday, March 14.

“I can’t believe that we’ve been making memories for folks here at my Dollywood for 40 years,” Dolly explained. “That’s a lot of laughter, hugs and smiles, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to be part of it for so many years. When we opened Dollywood, the main thing I wanted to do was to give families a fun place where they could enjoy time spent together. I’m so proud of all the people who have worked to make Dollywood what it is today, and I want to thank all the guests who have supported us and trusted us to help them create those days they’ll never forget.

“And just think, I spent opening day watching the parking lot because I was worried that people might not show up,” she added with a laugh. “But look at how far we’ve come since then—and we’re just getting started!”

A new 40th anniversary show, which debuts Memorial Day weekend and runs through the end of summer, highlights moments from guest-favorite shows during the park’s illustrious history of entertainment offerings. Additionally, a new drone and fireworks show honoring the 40th anniversary season takes place as part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City, and a new opening ceremony will occur at the beginning of each operating day during the 2025 season.

The Imagination Playhouse, which features plays based on books from Dolly’s Imagination Library, becomes a permanent fixture this season, offering its much-loved shows for younger guests from March through the end of September. The theater will offer a rotation of playhouse favorites guests have enjoyed through the years. During Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, new story time and character meet & greets are part of the Imagination Playhouse experience.

Also in celebration of the 40th anniversary, “Heartsong: The Movie” will be remastered and moved—appropriately—to Dreamsong Theater as part of The Dolly Parton Experience. “Heartsong: The Movie” will run in conjunction with “Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends.”

The Country Fair area of the park also receives a bright refresh during the 2025 season to celebrate the classic fun and family togetherness of this special area of the park. In addition, Country Fair transforms during the Harvest Festival to become Candy Corn Country, with decorations and theming to highlight the “corny” fun of this fall treat. The special festival fun doesn’t end there, however. A favorite of years past, Peppermint Valley returns during Smoky Mountain Christmas to provide a bright red and white lighting scheme in Country Fair.

“I’m excited to welcome guests to celebrate our 40th anniversary season with us in 2025,” said Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton. “We are thrilled to have earned the Tripadvisor #1 US theme park designation last year along with being the highest ranked US park in Golden Ticket Award voting for Best Park last year. We’ve worked hard for 40 seasons to make the Dollywood experience the best theme park experience in the country, and our guests are telling us we’ve done just that through these awards. And remember what Dolly said, ‘We’re just getting started!’”

The season begins with the I Will Always Love You Music Festival, March 15- April 13. Returning for 2025 is the show honored as the Golden Ticket Award winner for Best New Show of 2024, “From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton.” In this instant classic, Dolly’s remarkable story is told in an inspirational and uplifting way as guests experience the emotional pull she faced as she left everything she had known in Sevier County to move to Nashville in pursuit of her dreams. “From the Heart” phenomenally tells Dolly’s exceptional story through her own narration and legendary music catalog. The show takes place in Celebrity Theater and runs through the Flower & Food Festival.

Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival (April 18-June 8) blooms bright with iconic Mosaiculture displays throughout the park. Vivid larger-than-life flower sculptures create an immersive atmosphere for park guests with more than half-a-million blooms during this stunning festival. Dollywood’s culinary team showcases their world-class abilities during the event with a menu full of delicacies to highlight the tastes of spring in the Smokies.

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City (June 14-August 3) is everyone’s favorite summer tradition, and once again includes Dollywood’s Sweet Summer Nights drone and fireworks show each night. Even more drones take to the skies this year to present a mesmerizing show that honors Dollywood’s 40th anniversary season. Two more guest-favorite shows, “Bubble Evolution” and “Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience,” provide popping bubbles and playful pooches to help every guest feel like a kid this summer.

A family tradition for many, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana (Sept. 12- Oct. 27) celebrates the beauty of fall with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented singers and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which previously has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that are fun for every member of the family. Creative culinary items, accomplished artisans, and fall fun in the Smokies make this a picture-perfect time to enjoy Dollywood.

The industry’s Best Theme Park Christmas event—Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana (Nov. 1- Jan. 4)—concludes the park’s 2025 season with six million lights, festive holiday shows, and the warm Christmas atmosphere guests have come to expect during this joyous time of year.

With 40th anniversary season surprises ahead, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all the fun! Three season pass levels—Diamond, Gold and Silver—provide great options for every guest, while the popular Pre-K Imagination Season Pass offers free admission all season long to any child born in 2020 or 2021. Passes are on sale now to current 2024 season passholders and go on sale to the general public on Monday, Oct. 28. Anyone visiting during this season’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival (opens Friday, Nov. 1) can receive full value from their admission ticket to upgrade to a 2025 season pass! It’s the perfect Christmas gift for every member of the family.

Dollywood Diamond Season Passes provide a premium experience for guests. In addition to admission all season long, Diamond passholders receive four Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, free general parking, the largest discounts on dining, merchandise and lodging, an all-season unlimited 40th anniversary refill mug, as well as discounts on TimeSaver passes, VIP tours and preferred parking. Diamond Season Passes also provide the passholder season access to Dollywood’s Splash Country.

The Gold Pass represents tremendous value for guests thanks to two Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, free general parking, a one-day unlimited refill mug, as well as discounts on dining, merchandise, and lodging. Both Diamond and Gold passholders receive access to special events and activities just for them. Only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type.

Gold and Diamond passholders can take advantage of another great perk—complimentary TimeSaver line access the first hour of every operating day. This great benefit allows the named passholder expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions including Big Bear Mountain, the two-time winner of the Golden Ticket Award for Best Family Coaster.

Silver Season Passes also are available and include two Bring-A-Friend Free tickets and a discount on Dollywood lodging. Select blackout dates apply to adult and senior Silver Season Passes and Silver Bring-A-Friend Free tickets. Child Silver Season Passes do not have blackout dates.

Guests at this world-class family vacation destination can experience even more fun at one of Dollywood’s award-winning resort hotels, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Both properties offer unbeatable hospitality and exclusive complimentary privileges, including TimeSaver passes, door-to-door transportation, preferred parking at Dollywood parks, and package delivery for purchases made at Dollywood theme park.

For more information about Dollywood’s 2025 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.

-Dollywood2024-

About Dollywood Parks & Resorts: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and the newly opened Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of 58 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 28 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment. The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and earned the Golden Ticket Award for the Best Park in the world in 2023. This year, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. It also has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and Tripadvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks, operates from mid-May to Labor Day. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

Link to Business Wire 

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Link: dollywood.com

There are not many changes in the calendar from 2024.  Passholder Preview Day is March 14th. Sounds like details about Passholder Day are still being sorted out.  Expect more on that later as it draws near.  All the other festivals fall in line in duration and timing, as they did in 2024.

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Things that stood out in the Press Release...

1. ''Just getting started'' comment is interesting.
2. New 40th Anniversary Show that runs from Memorial Day to end of Summer.
3. New drone and fireworks show honoring 40th anniversary during Summer Celebration Festival.
4. New opening ceremony every operating day.
5. Imagination Playhouse will become a permanent fixture this season, with shows from March to September.
6. Heartsong, the movie, will be remastered and incorporated into the Heidi Parton's Kin & Friends show.
7. Country Fair area refresh.
1. An old path returns.  They are restoring the path behind the carousel that goes into Country Fair next to the Flying Elephants ride.
2. Harvest Festival activities will include an area-wide transformation into Candy Corn Country, celebrating Corn.
3. Smoky Mountain Christmas will usher in Peppermint Valley once again, to the Country Fair area.

1. 'Just Getting Started' comment opens up a lot of possibilities, right?  She's most likely referring to the 2025 Season, but she might also be speaking from the 30k Foot View as well.   Hard not to notice the gigantic new parking lot under construction as you enter the park.  One interesting rumor I have heard recently, was that Dollywood has future plans to remove the two current Premiere Lots and incorporate those spaces into the theme park, which makes a ton of sense to me.  As you exit Dragonfliers' station, it's also hard not to notice several unused acres of land between WWG and those Premiere Lots.  In Nashville, Dollywood is preparing to open a hotel off of Broadway - there are a lot of things going on in the Dollywood Universe right now that will lead to new and exciting things.  'Just getting started' seems appropriate.

Possible future theme park area??  Rampage ride sits on a former parking lot, so it is a growth strategy Dollywood has used in the past.  It makes great sense to me, as long as they add more parking elsewhere.

7. Country Fair Refresh.  One thing already under construction, or re-construction, is a pathway from the carousel down to the Country Fair area, next to the Flying Elephants.  I say reconstruction because there was a path that opened with the 2004 Major Refresh of the Country Fair area.  And then one year the path was gone, as Dollywood will sometimes do....make things just disappear like they never existed.  Anyway, this one will be even better than the first one.

2004 until ??

The three pics below were taken on 10/22/24.  The new path seems to follow the old path's path exactly.

As far as other things in the Country Fair area, I'm not sure what will actually end up happening, other than the holiday overlay theming mentioned in the PR.  

Ride wise - Since there have been no specific ride announcements, it's anybody's guess as to what will happen.  Lemon Twist looks to me like it is just barely hanging on for dear life.  It used to spin fast in its younger days.  Dizzy Disc and the Ferris Wheel were big losses to me.  Scrambler, Bumper Cars, Elephants, Swinger are probably all safe.  In my mind, a FAIR is colorful and has lots of cool lights on the rides (among other sensory things) and Dollywood could improve in that area, particularly the Waltzing Swinger could use a lighting package....just my .02...especially in the age of Insta and how kids and kids-at-heart behave with their phones nowadays.

The main eatery in Country Fair is the Grandstand Cafe, the ice cream cone place beside it, and then the Midway Market has snacks and drinks.  The buffet is the other option, and is popular, but its hours are somewhat inconsistent. It was not open for the Summer Festival.  I could see a restaurant revamp with some different food options replacing the Cafe.  Eugen Naughten, Park President, said a few years ago that Dollywood's Food offerings were going to go through an improvement process.  Since those remarks, we've seen exactly that around the park.  Miss Lillians is this year's example.  Iron Horse Pizza before that.  A new restaurant is under construction in Wilderness Pass.  Not sure if the words 'culinary overhaul' will apply but seems possible given the other recent examples of improvements around the park.

There's room for improvement in the Country Fair area, so I will be interested to see what they have in mind.

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Season Pass Blog Post

Read all the details about purchasing a new 2025 Dollywood Season Pass - Click Here

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Read all the details about Fall Break, Christmas Break & Spring Break for Regional School Systems

Click Here

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Read all the details about how to use the Pigeon Forge Trolley to get to Dollywood.  Watch my fun video!

Click Here

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Hotels

🔴🔵New Season Passholder Information for 2025🔵🔴

Hi Everyone,

Dollywood has released information about new Season Pass Sales for 2025.  Sales begin October 28th, 2024.  Recently, Dollywood released information about RENEWALS for 2025 Season Passes for those who already have Dollywood Season Passes.  If that's you, then you can read my blog post about that, HERE.  Dollywood is currently selling 2024 Season Passes that expire January 2025, so PAY ATTENTION to what you are purchasing.  On October 28, they will just sell the 2025 pass.

Who is this for?

Brand new Season Passholders who did not have a season pass in 2024.

Let's jump right into all of this!  All of this information comes from Dollywood.com's 2025 Season Pass Page, which you can find right HERE.  Make sure you log in to your Dollywood account before getting started with purchases.  

One Park Passes, above.
For 10 mo. Payment Plan, $19.88 Silver, $29.95 Gold & $44.88 2 Park Diamond

Two Park Passes, above.
For 10 mo. Payment Plan, $26.75 2P-Silver, $36.13 2P-Gold & $44.88 2 Park Diamond

Study Carefully

Diamond Pass Offer, seen on Facebook.  Click here to go to the link listed above.

These benefits seem pretty consistent with last year's offerings, after a quick scan over the comparison chart.  Biggest difference is the addition of the Gold or Silver Two Park Pass, which was not offered in 2024's season pass options.

What pass are you going to get for 2025?  Let me know in the comments.

🔵Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information - 

• Getting To Dollywood by Plane
• Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources, and ranked hotels in the area.  I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet.  Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
• Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge.  I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources, and ranked them in my blog post.
  
• 30 Great Places to Eat In Pigeon Forge that are open after 2pm! A list of highly rated establishments that are open past 2pm.
• Guide To Mountain Coasters - A look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County.
• Dollywood's 2024 Operating Calendar
• 8 Things to do at Dollywood if you don't care for rides - There's a lot to do!
• Pigeon Forge Trolley Info You'll Want to Know!
• Trip Advisors Top 10 Budget Friendly Hotels in Pigeon Forge.
• Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as many Big Bear Mountain footage.
• Check out my 2023 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2023.
• Check out my 2022 End of Year Recap to see all of my Dollywood videos from 2022.
• 2024-2025 School Break Calendar - includes Fall, Christmas & Spring Breaks for regional schools.

🟠🟣2025 Dollywood Season Pass Renewal Information You'll Want To Know! 🟣🟠

Hi Everyone,

10/28/24 - Dollywood has extended this Renewal Offer until November 3rd - looks like end of day on the 3rd.

Dollywood has unveiled the details for their 2025 season passes. Let's dive in and compare them to the 2024 offerings to help you choose the perfect pass for your needs.

Who is this for?

This is for Current Passholders to renew their passes for the 2025 Season.  Sales for New 2025 Season Passes will begin in early November.  Right now, Dollywood is still selling 2024 Season Passes, which will expire on January 5th, 2025.  Pay attention to what you are buying! 

If you have never owned a Dollywood Season Pass, and want one, Read my Blog Article about New Season Pass Holder sales, which begin October 28, 2024.

All of this information can be found on Dollywood's Website, click Here.

For the Silver Pass...The biggest difference I see is that the Pre-Sale Bonus changed from One Xmas Visit in 2023, to a lodging voucher, BUT for the 2025 Pass, they included Unlimited visits between 10/14/24-12/15/24...I think im reading that right?  And the 2024 pass included a 10% Lodging discount, but I do not see that for the 2025 Silver Pass.

Let's look at the Gold Pass.  Same Price as 2024.  Gold did not have a Pre-Sale Bonus for 2024, so the Lodging Voucher discount is new.

Two Park Diamond - $15 Price increase from 2024.  Three Pre-Sale Bonuses for 2025:  Lodging Voucher discount, Tumbler, Monthly Cinnamon Bread

These two passes on the above-left are new offerings, and the Two Park Diamond is the same as the one above these three.  Basically, there is a Silver or Gold.  Gold has more benefits like free parking and a complimentary TimeSaver for the first hour of each day.  Read the details.

Payment Plan - If you would prefer to pay for your pass over a 10-month period, then Dollywood offers that as well.  Go to dollywood.com to learn more details about their "Easy2Play Payment Plan''.

Looks like we will celebrate IWALY again 😚

Dollywood does have its own official Facebook page specifically for Season Passes, and all the information that goes along with it.  If you're having questions, I would start with that Search bar on that Facebook page as you're probably not the first to ask or wonder.

I think that wraps this up for now.  Next step is to renew on October 14th.

🟢Navigating to Dollywood from North Carolina 🟢

10/25/24 Quick Update on I26 - TDOT hopes to get I26 open with one lane, in the next few weeks.  I26 is still closed on the NC Side, according to the NCRoad Closure Dashboard.  Link to WATE story.

Hi Everyone,

I understand many people's concerns getting to Pigeon Forge from North Carolina, but it's fairly easy to do from central North Carolina.  Head North up 74/77 to Wytheville, Virginia, where you will hop on 81 South, to 40 West, and then exit in Dandridge/Hwy 92, or Kodak at Exit 407.  There's a 'new' Buc-ee's at 407 if you need some gas and a sandwich before going to Dollywood.

It might add a little time to your trip by going up to Wytheville, but I doubt you're going to miss the curvy mountain road through I40...especially driving at night.  

10/7/24

A plan for the Tennessee side of I40 includes shifting the traffic into the other lane.  This is supposed to happen in a few weeks time, according to WVLT's story on this matter.  For the North Carolina side, I've heard 2028 is a possible reopening time frame.  We shall see.

🚨If you're just over the mountains in North Carolina, then 129 & 441 could be an option.

• 441- Is Open. 
• 
  

  

  10/11/24 update

• 129/The Dragon - Open.  No commercial traffic.  Hundreds of curves and steep grades.
• Visit Travel Alerts | My Pigeon Forge for the latest info on road closures in Pigeon Forge.
• Visit DriveNC.com for the latest North Carolina road information, including 441 and 129.
• Visit NC Road Closure Dashboard for that kind of info.
• Visit TDOT Smartway for the latest Tennessee road information, including 441 and 129.

These are all the traffic related updates that I have seen in the past several days, as of Thurs, Oct.11th. I will continue to monitor routes and bring you new info on this page, so bookmark it if you wish.  

In case you missed this, Dollywood is a drop-off location point for needed donations to help those who were impacted by this disaster.  Source.

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.

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.

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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

 

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

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

🔶Hwy 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

NCPDS

https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene

https://www.facebook.com/NCEmergency/

road closure map

https://drivenc.gov/

emergency updates on nextdoor

https://nextdoor.com/agency-detail/nc/asheville/buncombe-county-government/

How to help east Tennessee after Helene

https://www.wate.com/news/top-stories/how-to-help-east-tn-after-helene/

 United Way has created a fund to help those affected by Helene. https://www.unitedwaync.org/

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

The Salvation Army is accepting donation and mobilizing disaster response teams. https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/

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

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

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/

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!