It was Good Friday afternoon, and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, was cloaked in flowers as if the entire 165-acre theme park was outfitted in its most festive Easter attire. Guests flocked to Dolly Parton‘s euphonious park’s wildly popular roller coasters, including its award-winning Lightning Rod, stood in long lines for the famous cinnamon bread, and flocked into its theaters and entertainment spaces for its popular plays and musicals.
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Vacationers packed the park for the holiday weekend, but thousands of fun-seekers also showed up for the opening weekend of Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival. The event runs through June 8 and showcases more than 1 million vibrant blossoms and festive specialty food items that allow Dollywood’s culinary team to show off.
“If there’s one thing I know about the Smokies, it’s that God does some of his best handiwork this time of year,” Parton said in a statement. “It’s like the mountains come back to life in the spring with all of His beautiful creations blooming around us.”
Dolly Parton Calls Smoky Mountains Some of God’s “Best Handiwork”
Dollywood is celebrating its 40th season this year – and the sixth anniversary of its Flower & Food Festival. When patrons enter the park and turn right, hundreds of individual colorful umbrellas are suspended overhead to form a canopy to shield parkgoers from the sun as they walk past shops toward the intricate, artistic floral topiaries that are the cornerstones of the festival. The towering mosaiculture creations are the work of Montreal-based Mosaicultures International and include a topsy-turvy butterfly umbrella, woodland animals, and a floral sculpture of Parton’s mother crafting the Coat of Many Colors. There is also a mallard duck, a peacock, a family of bears, and two pink butterflies.
“Our hosts here at Dollywood put so much effort into making the park as beautiful as the natural beauty you see throughout the hills around us,” Parton said. “You know we won the Golden Ticket Award last year for the Most Beautiful Park in the world, and when you come experience the Smoky Mountains this time of year, I think you can understand why we won it!”
For guests intrigued by the food part of the flower and food festival, a tasting pass is available for season pass holders. For about $40 more, people can try five specialty items from vendors that include the Salad of Many Colors, loaded street fries, pesto caprese panini, Smoky Mountain grilled corn, blueberry pie milkshake, and wild berry cream cheese funnel cake.
Dollywood Converts Imagination Library Books to Plays
As for shows, Dollywood offers something for all ages. Imagination Playhouse offers plays based on books from Dolly’s Imagination Library through the end of September.
“Play On” is a special 40th anniversary retrospective show and features beloved songs and scenes from many of the park’s iconic shows from years past.
Lauren Jelencovich, who won the grand prize on Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star, will bring her operatic performances to the Robert F. Thomas Chapel April 18- May 18. The Wilder Flower, which blends folk, Americana, and bluegrass, will perform May 19-June 1. Robinella brings her jazz-flavored Appalachian music, old-time, self-styled pop covers, classic country, and gospel music June 2-8. “From the Heart—The Life & Music of Dolly Parton,” the show named the theme park industry’s best new show of 2024, and Heidi Parton’s Kin & Friends, ends June 6.
Vacationers who can’t attend Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival but want a seasonally themed opportunity to visit have more chances throughout the year.
Dollywood has a Festival for Every Season
The 40th anniversary season-themed Sweet Summer Nights drone, and fireworks will take flight during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration presented by Food City June 14-Aug. 3. Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, presented by Humana, is Sept. 12-Oct. 27 and includes thousands of carved pumpkins. Dollywood’s award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana, is on fire with 6 million lights and festive holiday shows November 1- January 4, 2026.
However, Dollywood’s eight rollercoasters are still among the main attractions. Big Bear Mountain is the longest coaster at Dollywood. The super smooth ride hurls guests of all ages down nearly 4,000 feet of track on a family-friendly journey to find Big Bear. Dragonflier is a suspended family coaster that reaches up to 43 mph with a lift height of 63′. Guests will experience up to 3.5 positive G-forces on the coaster, which is classified as a moderate thrill attraction. Wild Eagle is America’s first wing coaster and sits 21 stories above Dollywood. It makes riders feel like they’re flying over the Smoky Mountains. Lightning Rod is a 1950s hot rod-themed coaster that carries riders more than 20 stories high before its first drop.
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood has Helped Families Make Memories for Four Decades
USA Today readers voted Lightning Rod one of the Top-10 best roller coasters in the country.
In addition, there are also high-flying rides, county fair attractions, pint-sized adventures for preschoolers, water rides, and more.
“I can’t believe that we’ve been making memories for folks here at my Dollywood for 40 years,” Parton said. “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.
“And just think, I spent opening day watching the parking lot because I was worried that people might not show up,” she added. “But look at how far we’ve come since then—and we’re just getting started!”
(Photo by K. Blankenship)
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