The Knoxville News-Sentinel from Knoxville, Tennessee • 49

Sunday Mardi 21 2010 Life IH Editor Susan Alexanltr I lltonc: 865-342-6431 I I E-mail fcuturpfekiiiixiK-wMTuin Daly Mon her seat on Dollywood's antique fer-ris wheel during the 1993 opening dream a hometown theme park that some advised against thrives as it opens for its 25th season NEWS SENTNEL FILE PHOTO wtunmaum TKnryweferainawijcofii E-When Dolly Parton first saw Los oouywooo OolyiMori site where a theme park has been since 196L and the current park incorporates parts from past attractions The park began as Rebel Railroad in 1961 and its train stHI runs past the Grist MiN built by Silver DoMar City employees in pre-Doilyvvood times 1 1 1 I Jjrv The tale rings true enoughwhenc what hasbecomeThet paikopensits2Sthseason Saturday March27 Each year 25 million people visit the attraction that covers 150 acres and has hundreds more on which to expand Hiring 200 to 200 each tourist season 1 is Sevier County biggest employer Since the pnyerty took Parton name 162 million has been invested in the park that now has 10 themed areas of shops rides and shows Dofiywood NovemberDecember Smoky Mountain Christmas begun in 1990 and March Festival ofNations started in 2001 helped extend Sevier County tourist season Tb diink someone once told Parton her of the plan was a bad idea Ronald Reagan was president when Parton opened Doiiywood in 1966 become business paxtnenwithHerachend Runily Entertainment owners afPigean Forge SfiverDollarCity Silver Dollar City got million Rivertown Junction addition Its Inventor Mansion became a Rags to Riches museum about Parton The Tennessee MountainHomeareplica was buik by her brother Bobby and decorated by her mother Avie Anew splashy ride was called the The Smoky Mountain Rampage Parton name and promotion ofDollywood and East Tennessee raised park attendance and area awareness Silver Dollar City brought in same 7D(X000 visiton in 198SL Between L2 toL3 million people came to Doiiywood in 1986 Yet Doiiywood wouldn't exist ifParton had listened to some ofher mid-1980s advisers They told the Sevier County native the idea was bad Her answer really believe in tbus" carried the belief fer years Inal982 interview with journalist Barbara Walters Parton DOLLY'S WORLD Ift not caled Dolywood for nothing Here areafew of thepartfsDolyPartontouchesandEastTennessee Adventure Mountain new festival shows kick off 25th season BVAMYMCIAIY mcraytomniwixam Dollywoodc Children must meet the attractioiilii -height requirements and be accompaniedbysomeonel6orolden The park 25th anniversary also MILES CMWNEWS SENTINEL When she visits the park Dolly Parton often stays in the apartment on the second floor of this building restaurant that opened hDdywoocfsfiret year'AuntGranrV fewhatRartorfs nephews and nieces cal her iThe internationally themed festival includes three new shows will showcase music fromAbcrignai Celtic blade and Acadian cultures focuses nnrtvSfirti Amwianmia-rf PeruTbeensemblesteelorchestra pop: calypso andAmerican Big Band tunes Events fanned to eddxate 25 yeare ofDollywood include a daily entertainment showcase Photographs and objects from the paikpastwillbedisplayedina HaUcfMenxriesochibttmthe Craftsman Valley area Amy McRary may be reached at new attraction thatk part challenge course part play area and pert up-in-the-airtreehouse Wkhfourcoursesandobstades ranging from suspensionbridges to swinging beams Adventure Mountain is billed as America attraction covers two acres in Wilderness Pass one of the park newest areaa Adventure Mountain was first planned for spring 2009 but wasddayedayear Youngsters can participate in groundiased activities at Camp TfeachlUboMee Other courses are Geyser Gorge Hark Rear Cliff and Rocky 'RyTraii Adventure Mountain visiton should being closed toed shoes secure at the heefc this is notaplaoe for flip-flops ftweyOrtlleeii Thb eatery is named for the mother of Judy Ogie Parton best friend Inthel9605themed JitaboK Junction pubic performance in the mid495Qs MILES CMnyNEWSSENTINa museum teils life story called I Atheme park has been stationed at what now Doiiywood since 196L That when owners afBlowing RockNCTVveetsie Railroad opened Rebel Railroad Visiton were promised an onacoal-fired train attacked by The small attraction was buik like a pioneer mid-19th century town included a saloon blacksmith shop and general store In 1964 Rebel Railroad name changed to the more politically correct Goldrusb Junction In 1970 Art Model! then owner of the Cleveland Browns football team bought it By 1976 the attractions included apopular log flume ride: That was the year brothers Jade and Pete i nurtsongiaBranrmiresjoryrimusciTO Chasing Rainbows museum tels of her Hie and career In front of the museun is Rxtonfe tour bus her1 "Home on Named after Rartorfe record This Jukebox Jmction store isnamedforthelateKnoKvIepolticianandbiEinessrnark -Hfe and Horne helped giveayoung Parton her show business start Thisshopopenedki 2003 is named far' Temptefc Feed Store that once stood hSevierviePditoift father tee boutfeed for Ms Ivestock there The original store was famous as the spot where owner JbnmieTempieaSevier County county commissioner married couples DaferMnnsa-Theorangered hybridtea rose named for Parton is planted on locations at Dolywood XMUSCAfnyNEWSSENTte a two-acre challenge coursetreehouse is the new attraction at Doiiywood as the theme park celebrates its 25th anniversary ON KNOXNEWSXOM ItetribaMeAyearbyyearlookatimprovementsandadcftionsatDolywood Wdeec Two longtime Dolywood employees tel about working at the paik SMerimcDolyPartonthrouitheyears -AmyMcRay SeeDQUirWOODonEJ ESI bttpyVrewJroinewsjoonVbevvlW SS3CB2BH D2SSSESB3E 2S32S5a Books IS iMfestonesEB BMWeEI Announcements TV HD Puzzles IH mSMBBOSBEUSEfi DSSBSKBS nransszaa.