Dolly Parton Helps Nashville
In the state of Tennessee we are blessed to have several famous people, in the Smoky Mountains we are blessed to a super star, Dolly Parton!
Monday Dolly Parton announced on national tv that May 22nd and 23rd net admission proceeds from Dollywood Theme Park and Dixie Stampede would be set aside in a special fund to aide Nashville flood victims. If this were not enough, Dolly Parton will make several appearances throughout Dollywood an at Dixie Stampede.
In an interview, Dolly having grown up in the Smoky Mountains and lived the past 46 years in Nashville, stated it best when she said “I have family and friends in both places, and when one place hurts, I think it is just right for the other to help.”
Well Dolly Parton has helped her hometown Tennessee Smoky Mountains many a time and Nashville sure can use and appreciate her answering the call for HELP once again. Strip away the flash, the glitter, and underneath still remains a shining angel.
If you have pondered attending Dollywood Theme Park or Dixie Stampede this summer, please come out May 22nd or 23rd and support Dolly Parton’s attempt to help Nashville Tennessee, thank you!
illall
Zip Line Mania Sevier County Tennessee
A zip line here, a zip line there, here a zip line, there a zip line, everywhere a zip zip. As paintball has faded, investors and property owners throughout Sevier County have found a new way to turn their properties into money making propositions.
It slowly started with one company as a means to draw visitors to its rental properties, soon Smoky Mountain Paintball was setting up their zip line course, Dollywood contracted another company to set their zip line up, which it seems Dollywood is now running it on their own. In Gatlinburg another business started a zip line course. This once popular past time for country folk is now reborn as an attraction filled with high-tech equipment, tons of legalities and the need for hefty insurance. This does not discourage profiteers from trying to add their uniqueness and out do or out market their competitor.
A local property owner has requested a zip line course somewhere off Middle Creek. Another company, just off Branam Hollow Road, has sought approval for their zip line course which includes sky bridges and later down the road a lodge for meeting and catered events.
Zip lines are popular today, they may not bring people to the area but they give a select few adventure seekers a great opportunity under the canopy of the Tennessee Smoky Mountains.
Looks like the bungee jump reborn, those empty jump towers blocking views of the Smoky Mountains dotting the Pigeon Forge Parkway towards Gatlinburg. We now have towering structures going up all over our mountains. When their short life is no longer profitable, like paintball and bungee jumping, what regulations are in place to insure the abandoned structures will be removed? While they are in operation, has the city the staffing for safety inspections all over the county?
Dolly Parton Ads For Sevierville TN
Sevierville Tennessee has been working with Dolly Parton on various filmed ads that will depict her hometown. Dolly Parton will be shown in front of her statue, at the Sevier County Courthouse, along with other city attractions and business offerings visitors to the Smoky Mountains area can enjoy.
Sevierville Tennessee, like a sleeping lion, has evolved from the sleepy agricultural town we have known to an awakened lion with a mighty roar. Over the past 3 years the impact of several corporate businesses moving into the area and setting up shop have given Sevierville not only a boost in revenues, but has caused the city to actually consider setting aside an annual advertising budget.
Interestingly Sevierville now takes the front door to the Tennessee Smoky Mountains while Gatlinburg still holds onto the back door. Like a shot-gun style house, Pigeon Forge is in the middle with no real door. Pigeon Forge has exclusively used Dolly Parton’s popularity to drive traffic to Pigeon Forge. Dolly Parton’s decision to join with Sevierville in television marketing strengthens the Dollywood camp foothold in both cities. What will come next, we will keep you posted as the wind blows. Comments are welcome on this post.
Tennessee Smoky Mountain Area News
Sevierville Tennessee Downtown Parking Lot
Plans have been in the works for sometime to build a multi-story parking lot downtown Sevierville Tennessee. The plans were put on hold partially due to the extra costs demanded by the selected construction company. The plans call for restrooms to be built, landscaping to be added, and now a stage built on top of the restrooms. Guess this is a great way to save space, but sure hope the winds work in favor of the stage.
Sevierville hosts many events, such as the Bloomin Barbecue, each year. They have been held in the Sevier County Court House parking lot and next to the Sevier County Civic Center. Getting a stage for many of these events is surely only a matter of time and money.
Veterans Boulevard Extended
Sevier County’s Public Building Authority (PBA) are busy little beavers. They have their focus on extending Veterans Boulevard from where it currently dumps onto Dolly Parton Parkway and taking it across the river to Robert Henderson Road.
The PBA plans to pay for design of rights of way for all 3 planned phases at once. This will include a section of road that will cut over back to the traffic light on Hwy 66 across from the Sevierville Convention Center.
One of the hold ups is promises from large scaled development projects along the PBA corridor to either resume their construction projects or begin in tandem with the road extension. Much of the tax dollars collected from these businesses is what will help pay back the debts incurred by the Veterans Boulevard extension. One of the key projects they want on board to resume building is the Dumplin Creek development, near Exit 407. Dumplin Creek has gotten WalMart to agree to build, but is looking for more such tenants to anchor the area and make it profitable to build. Efforts are being made by the developer of Dumplin Creek and others to get an Exit 408 constructed.
When construction will actually take place is unsure, however it is sure to come quicker than was expected. The need is there for visitors to the area and the developers alike.
Sevierville Indoor Yard Sale
City of Sevierville is holding an Indoor Yard Sale at the Sevierville Civic Center, 200 Gary R Wade Blvd, Sevierville, TN (865) 453-5441, from 8am to 2pm Saturday Oct 16th. Plenty of booths for your indoor shopping enjoyment!
Smoky Mountains National Park Bear Reduction
As of this writing, Bear Hunting Season is only 2 weeks in and a reported 187 bears have been thinned from the Smokies area, nearly twice as many this time last year. Last year a total of 446 bears were hunted.
Haunted House Kodak
Boys and Girls Club in Kodak will host a Haunted House this Friday and Saturday from 7:30p.m. to 11p.m. at 4125 Douglas Dam Road, Admission is $5. For more info call 933-3718.
New Center Elementary School
The Sevier County School system has closed the deal on 22 acres, on Newport Highway across from Sims Tractors. Despite school funds being down by $700,000. School officials are looking forward to the .25 Sales Tax increase that will add millions annually towards the schools’ capital needs and capital debt payment.
Property values in the area have decreased dramatically, so tax values of properties should decrease. The large numbers of foreclosed investment properties available in the area has forced domicile home values down as well. This of course works great for investors and people who always wished they could live in the Smokies.
Dollywood - American Eagle Foundation
An Eaglet released by the American Eagle Foundation, at Dollywood Theme Park, was spotted in Pennsylvania near Lake Erie. It is great to see that the work they are performing at the American Eagle Foundation. Maybe through their dedicated efforts and valuable supporters, we once again may see American Eagles fly alongside our cars as we journey highways to our vacation destinations. Bravo Zulu, Great Job!
Dolly Parton Smoky Mountains Tribute
Dolly Parton has done a lot for her Tennessee Smoky Mountains hometown. Dollywood seemed to be a big boost for Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains area . It was nice to see a park focused on beauty, keeping the area seemingly mountain natural while still providing endless fun. Not handicap myself, it was great seeing handicap citizens aptly hired and allowed to become a part of the productive work force.
Dolly Parton is more than Dollywood. Making numerous appearances annually, each seems to be another feather in this fine performer’s life. Only a handful of the things she has done in the community have I seen. Dolly donated to the construction of a physical therapy wing in the old Fort Sanders hospital, put on a benefit concert at Smokies Stadium to raise money for the new Sevier County hospital, raised the largest single donation for the “Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation” by opening her home to 12 guests and having 2 spend the night where she prepared breakfast the following morning.
Dolly, with a very busy personal schedule, acted as the Smoky Mountains National Park Spokesperson. She not only travelled nationally speaking for the park, she filmed several commercials and attended the re-dedication ceremony as singer and speaker. My understanding is this was all done at no charge.
Every family has skeletons in their closet and with 13 children surely there’s many in Dolly’s. However, Dolly and her family members have every right to feel proud of what she and they have done for their mountain home community and their nation. They have worked tirelessly to pick themselves up from poverty only to enrich the lives they touch. What great upbringing Dolly’s family instilled in their children, they all seem to share their abilities in bettering the lives of those unknown. Their gifts come with love and devotion that will touch people and the community after they are gone.
Thank you Dolly Parton and family members, well done and carry on!
Dolly’s Splash Country - New Million Dollar Water Slide!
Dollywood’s Splash Country plans to open a new water slide in 2010, Slick Rock Racer. Construction on the slide will begin in a few weeks as the waterpark closes for the season.
The slide will permit 4 racers at a time to whisk down this large and fast 300 ft slide. With an initial drop to build speed and several humps along the way, riders are sure to find the experience exhilarating. An estimated 600 riders per hour will be able to make the wet and wild journey.
Dollywood Announces Auditions for Christmas Shows
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood’s entertainment department will conduct children’s auditions Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Connor-Short Center at Walters State Community College’s Sevierville campus.
Dollywood is seeking performers to cast in the park’s live productions during its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas festival. Roles require boys and girls who can appear to be approximately eight to 12 years of age. Performers must be able to sing, act and move well. For those cast, rehearsals begin in October. Performances begin Nov. 7 and continue through Jan. 2, 2010.
For the audition, each child should be prepared to sing three songs that best demonstrate his/her ability. Children should audition in clothing that is comfortable and allows them to move. All children will be asked to learn a simple dance movement routine. A cassette/CD player will be provided as well as a keyboard accompanist. Participants should be prepared for at least a two-hour commitment for the auditions. For additional information, please visit http://dollywood.com/employment/schedule.aspx.
