‘Life and Music of Dolly Parton’ Highlights Day at Dollywood

Larry Vaught Photo

Okay it is no secret that I am a huge Dolly Parton fan and love going to Dollywood, especially now that there are even more ways to learn more about Parton while you are in the park.

Wednesday turned out to be a perfect, sunny day in Pigeon Forge, TN., despite a not-so-good forecast  most of the week so we quickly changed plans and headed to our favorite amusement park for the Flower & Food Festival that features over a 500,000 vibrant flowers throughout the park along with the must-have Tasting Pass (more about this later).

However, our first stop was Celebrity Theater to see “From The Heart — The Life and Music of Dolly Parton.” I heard so many great things about this show when it made its debut last year and wanted to see for myself.

The show touts that it will go through the years of Parton’s musical journey from her earliest songs to her most recent and popular hits. The show is only available through June 8, so if you want to see it now is the time to make plans.

We have been going to Dollywood for many, many years and have seen many, many shows. For me, this was easily the best and most entertaining show we have seen at Dollywood and the hour just flew by.

What makes the show so unique is that it features different performers portraying Parton at all ages through her incredible musical journey. But you are not only entertained, you get a history lesson about Parton and her family. I learned things about her background — she started as a copywriter at a record company in Nashville — that I did not know.

I really enjoyed seeing the first time Parton met Johnny Cash and got to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. It was also emotional to hear the story of ending her time on the “Porter Wagoner Show” that gave her the big break she needed.

And how could you not love the Kenny Rogers-Dolly Parton duet of “Islands In the Stream” that really resonated with everyone in the theater. And I had forgotten about Parton singing with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.

There were many more iconic moments/songs in the show that led to a terrific ending that you have to see for yourself to fully appreciate.

We also went to see Heidie Parton’s Kin & Friends, a show where Heidie, Dolly’s niece, and others performed not only some of Dolly Parton’s hits but music from Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and many more. It was a high energy performance and the various genres of music made it very enjoyable.

Of course, another trip through the Dolly Parton Experience is a must where you can see so many momentos from her career and various clips of her movies, concerts and TV appearances. You can spend anywhere from 5-40 minutes here on the self-guided experience and I always take a lot of time here.

If that’s not enough, there is “Heartsong — the Movie.” It is a multi-sensory film experience where Parton takes you on a  journey through the Great Smoky Mountains in her own unique style,

This is the festival where I also buy the tasty pass where you have so many options. It’s pick any five items you want for the price ($47) and it’s easy for two to share almost all the items. Our five choices — honey garlic chicken skillet, loaded country fried potato wedges, honey BBQ pulled pork sandwich, hot honey BBQ chicken mac & cheese and wild berry cream cheese funnel cake.

I really wanted to try the ice cream nachos, broccoli pizza, and peanut butter & jelly ice cream donut but just didn’t have the appetite to attempt any of them.

And yes, I am just a kid at heart even at age 73 so when I had a chance to take a photo with Flutter after she came out of Wildwood Grove to greet and mingle with patrons I just felt I had to do it — and she even volunteered to do a video message to send my granddaughter.

Day at Dollywood

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Photos by Larry Vaught