Dollywood is basking in Dolly Parton’s bright light. A week after losing their Dreamer-in-Chief, Dollywood leaders are planning new ways to forever honor Parton.
The park and nearby Sevierville will honor Parton's “remarkable legacy” and “extraordinary life” with a new character at the park, an expansion of the Dolly Parton Experience and a new "In Dolly’s Footsteps" walking tour marking locations in Sevierville that Parton and her family frequented.
Dollywood President Eugene Naughton previously revealed an idea for a permanent fixture to honor Parton’s spirit. A stream near Robert F. Thomas Chapel will be added to the property, he revealed to Knox News on Aug. 26, the day after Parton died.
“Water represents life, and I never want people to forget
her life. And the chapel's a perfect place because she wore her faithon her sleeve. So, it made perfect sense to me to make that a permanent tribute area,” Naughton said.
He hopes to have the stream added by the opening of Dollywood’s 2027 season.
Other changes will reflect the star's legacy in different ways. The park will debut a new character named Dream Maker in 2027, and will add a new portal to the Dolly Parton Experience museum about her life and career. Special kiosks in Wildwood Grove will be added for people to share notes of how Dolly inspired them.
The Sevierville Chamber of Commerce plans to debut the walking tour soon.
The day after Parton died, Dollywood had set up several memorial walls near the front entrance of the park where guests can leave flowers, balloons, personal notes and other tributes.
Banners with Parton’s image and famous heartfelt lyric “I will always love you” are featured throughout the theme park.
Dolly Parton’s final Dollywood appearance
Parton had wanted to attend the opening of Dollywood’s newest and most expensive attraction, NightFlight Expedition, on Aug. 14. Her health prevented her from attending in person, however, so she sent a video instead.
“Right to the very day before, she still had intentions of trying to be on stage with me,” Naughton told Knox News Aug. 26. “That’s her perseverance. That's her never-give-up attitude that she showed me until the very last minute.”
Parton was last at Dollywood in March to kick off the theme park’s 41st season. It was her first major in-person public appearance since late last year when her health began to decline.
The entertainer dazzled fans with her bright energy and Southern humor, but also sprinkled in lots of wise words, including special advice from her mother.
"'To thine own self be true,' that old saying, my mom used to say that to me, "Don't ever forget who you are. Don't ever forget where you came from,' Parton recalled. "And I thought, 'Well, I doubt that I could ever do that.' But some people try it. And it never works out for them.
"So, I think that you'll be a better person - even you young folks out there that have never left home yet - just to stay true to your roots. Don't try to run away from yourself. Don't try to outgrow your family and get above your raising as they say. So, just always remember where you came from," Parton continued.
In addition to leaving tributes at Dollywood, fans who want to honor the icon’s life can do so by donating to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the free book program Parton launched in 1995 to promote childhood literacy.
Fans also are allowed to visit Parton’s final resting place in Nashville, Woodlawn Memorial Park confirmed to Knox News. Flowers and cards can be left there, and will be mailed to Parton’s family. The mausoleum hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dollywood sets new plans in motion to forever honor Dolly Parton
