Dollywood Celebrates the ‘Best Life’ for 40 Years
Back in 1986, Dollywood began a legacy with business partners Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Enterprises and set the stage for “creating memories worth repeating.”
The theme park started as Rebel Railroad in 1961, a small tourist attraction created by the Robbins Brothers. Visitors were intrigued and wanted to learn about the way of life in the Smoky Mountains.
After a couple of owners, the Herschend Family (behind the successful Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri) purchased the park and expanded it to be a duplicate—Silver Dollar City in Tennessee. The park continued to grow when Parton joined in leadership and entertainment.
“You could name a million things that make Dollywood so special, but we think it boils down to the simple things like the feeling you get when you’re with the ones you care about most,” says the Dollywood website.
Dollywood boasts many ways to “light up the Smokies with rides, slides, music, food and laughter – day and night.”
Dolly Parton reflected that she was with her husband, Carl, for 60 years, and Dollywood’s been a favorite spot for families in the heart of Tennessee for 40 years. The theme park has planned to celebrate this year’s 40th anniversary throughout the year. Parton remembered wanting a “Dollywood” sign (similar to the Hollywood sign in Southern California).
“So, they finally, after 40 years, put that sign up, even though I’ve talked about it for years,” Parton told the Associated Press. “So, we’ve got a lot of wonderful things planned for the whole season that’s celebrating the 40th anniversary.”
“We invite you to our Tennessee home where you can hold on tight to those you love most in the great outdoors in each beautiful season of the year,” the Dollywood website says.
