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The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).
Of Bradley County Tn.
JUNE 2010
The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.
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The People News
Special Report
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HOME
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BACK ISSUE
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EDITORIALS
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LETTERS
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Dollywood Celebrates 25 Years
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by Alexandra Edwards
Unlike most celebrities that, once famous, desert their hometown family and friends for the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Dolly Parton chose instead to keep her Tennessee mountain home and give back something to the community in which she was born and raised.
Never losing track of her humble background in Sevierville, Tennessee where mama first sewed her the famous Coat of Many Colors, no matter where she travels, Dolly has continued to express the love and pride she has for East Tennessee.
Known and loved around the globe as an extremely talented singer, songwriter and actress, Dolly Parton is also a successful entrepreneur.
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In 1986, Dolly Parton went into partnership with Herschend Family Enterprises, owners of "Silver Dollar City" theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and the park was renamed "Dollywood." Parton recently stated that she became involved with the operation because, "I always thought that if I made it big or got successful at what I had started out to do, that I wanted to come back to my part of the country and do something great, something that would bring a lot of jobs into this area."
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Dollywood became an instant success in 1986 drawing 1.3 million visitors, and has consistently maintained a steady flow of more than two million visitors annually. More than $110 million has been spent on the park's expansions and additions including the more recent water adventure theme park "Splash Country."
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In the past 25 years, Dollywood has more than doubled in size, has attracted over 40 million people and is today ranked in the top 50 most attended theme parks worldwide.
State and county officials agree that Dollywood has probably done more for East Tennessee tourism than anything else.
With the theme "Celebrate the Dreamer in You," Dollywood's 25th Anniversary celebrations will include; 'Hall of Memories presented by Kodak;' located in Craftsman's Valley, a special exhibit of some rare and never-before-seen memorabilia covering Dollywood's amazing journey over the past 25 years.
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Visitors will have a chance to win one of 25 Giveaway Dollywood vacations in the Smokey Mountains. Each afternoon at 3:30 p.m. until September 27th, visitors are invited to interact with the Silverstones as they put on a 'Silver Celebration Street Party,' with music and special activities to celebrate the dreamer in you. We all know that Dolly is well known for her glitzy, glamorous and sometimes "trashy style" fashions. Display cases inside Dolly's Chasing Rainbows Museum will exhibit many of the lavish sparkling costumes she wore to events over Dollywood's 25 year history.
Another Dollywood celebration is the opening this year of the new two acre challenge course "Adventure Mountain." Two acres of mountainside terrain with four different adventure courses and more than 100 challenging obstacles, including swinging beams, suspension bridges, flying islands, and tire traverse.
As well as the many thrilling and exciting theme park rides, Dollywood offers some first class entertainment. During the 25th anniversary season, several great shows will be performed in theaters throughout the theme park. Sha-Kon-O-Hey, is one show that truly captures the spirit of the Smokies.
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Set in the 1930's the musical, which includes several songs written by Dolly, tells the story of a reluctant family as they bid farewell to the area that was later to become Great Smoky Mountains National Park, yet the place lives forever in their hearts. Audiences get to meet the settlers, rail and lumbermen, Native Americans and the Shiners that inhibited this great land. Lovers of country music will enjoy "Country Crossroads," a cast of six performers highlighting a variety of musical styles that shape today's country music. Many times musical talents run in the family and the Parton family is no exception. Relatives sing songs and tell stories about growing up with the superstar in "Dolly's Family Reunion."
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In its 25 years, Dollywood theme park has not only created hundreds of jobs for the people of Sevier County and Pigeon Forge, it has generated thousands of dollars in tourism, and most importantly, brought big smiles to the faces of millions of families that have passed through its gates.
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