Dollywood, the theme park Dolly Parton founded in Pigeon Forge, became a somber place to honor the star in the days after her death.
Pink signs and banners honoring the Dreamer-In-Chief greeted fans throughout the park. They featured a photo and Dolly's signature and said, simply: I will always love you.
Makeshift memorial walls were erected for guests to leave flowers, balloons, signs and trinkets near the entrance.
The day after the star died, a moment of silence of was observed across Dollywood and all of Sevier County, including the schools, at noon.
"The five-minute tolling of the 1896 bell will serve as a solemn tribute to Dolly Parton and a reminder of the lasting difference she made in the place she always called home," a statement from
Sevier County said.
Dollywood's Robert F. Thomas Chapel became a focal point for the faithful to reflect on the meaning of the star's life. A chaplain offered support for guests and longtime Dollywood workers.
"It just puts into perspective how important family is, and how time is short, and that she really built this for Sevierville, for Gatlinburg, and she did it all for her family," guest Laura Dahmann said. "Just a beautiful tribute to Dolly today."
Nearby in downtown Sevierville, fans left hundreds of bunches of flowers and trinkets to honor the star at the base of her statue in her hometown.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Dollywood is thoughtfully honoring Dolly in the days after her death
