Dolly Parton’s beloved ‘Dollywood’ theme park confirmed to open a day after her death
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: The show must go on even after Dolly Parton’s death because that is what the legend wanted, and that is what those she left behind are following.
Following Parton’s death at age 80 on Tuesday, August 25, her beloved amusement park, Dollywood, released a statement that reflected the motto she lived by throughout her life.
The statement also confirmed that Dollywood will open on Wednesday, August 26, a day after the country music icon's passing.
Parton was set to celebrate the new NightFlight Expedition ride at her theme park on August 14 but had to pull out of the event due to health issues.
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood to open a day after her death
According to an emailed statement from the Pigeon Forge destination, “Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle - ‘the show must go on.’”
They continued, “With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton. Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit.”
“Those wishing to give in honor of Dolly may consider making a gift to the organization she was so deeply passionate about, Dolly Parton’s @imaginationlibrary,” it concluded.
For those unaware, Dollywood is a theme park jointly owned by Herschend and Parton’s production company. The park first opened as Rebel Railroad in July 1962 before being renamed ‘Dollywood’ on May 3, 1986.
Dolly Parton spoke about her health struggles before her death
During her virtual appearance, Parton explained that she had been experiencing dizziness and dehydration. “I’m still in Nashville, and I’m sorry about that,” she said, adding, “I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned.” Wearing fairy wings, she reminded fans that she had previously spoken about having “a few little health issues.”
“I’m dehydrated,” she told the crowd, explaining that her Nashville doctor had “clipped my wings” and told her, “you ain’t traveling this week.”
“The good news is I’m responding really well to meds and treatments, and I’m improving every day,” Parton said at the time.
She further shared, “I'm doing really well, and they assure me that everything I have is treatable,” before adding, “Now the bad news is, it’s going to take me a little while before I’m up to stage-performance level because some of the meds and treatments make me a big swimmy headed, as my grandma used to say.”
The songstress made her last public appearance at Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop for a ribbon-cutting event in June.
