Why is Dollywood closed on the day Dolly Parton died?

Dollywood and Dolly Parton fans will not be able to mourn the loss of the park's Dreamer-in-Chief and celebrate her life at her theme park just yet. Dollywood is closed, but not because Parton died on Aug. 25. The park was already scheduled to be closed Aug. 25 and Aug. 27, according to Dollywood's

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Dollywood and Dolly Parton fans will not be able to mourn the loss of the park's Dreamer-in-Chief and celebrate her life at her theme park just yet. Dollywood is closed, but not because Parton died on Aug. 25.

The park was already scheduled to be closed Aug. 25 and Aug. 27, according to Dollywood's 2026 operating calendar.

Parton opened the park in 1986. Her love for the Smokies and its the people who live and work in the region is reflected in Dollywood.

"I'm just proud to be part of this whole (Smokies region business) community. And Dollywood is a shining star, certainly to me, but evidently to a lot of other people, too,” Parton said during the theme park’s 40^th season opening. “I'm just happy to be part of that (business) growth.”

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: Why is Dollywood closed on the day Dolly Parton died?