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Southwest Virginia visitors are 10th highest in attendance at Dollywood
For many in southwest Virginia, that means heading to Dollywood. According to the latest numbers from Dollywood, visitors from Southwest Virginia rank as Dollywood’s 10th highest population of guests. Crowds of people poured into the park, excited to get outside and back to a life that resembles some sort of normalcy. AdIt didn’t take long to find guests there from Southwest Virginia. Dollywood spokeswoman Ellen Liston said park attendance from Southwest Virginia is up, even in the middle of a pandemic.
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Dollywood kicks off 2021 season with new attractions
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Spring is the perfect time to plan a getaway to the Great Smokey Mountains, and Dollywood is now open for its 2021 season just in time. The first weekend will be packed with several shows like “Harmonies of the Heart,” featuring Dolly Parton’s family and more. Some attractions that had to be closed last year are back, like Dolly’s Museum and the Lightning Rod rollercoaster. new shows, new culinary items, new decor and a couple of our rollercoasters got a facelift so to say. Even if you came to Dollywood in 2021, lots of new things to do this season,” said Ellen Liston with Dollywood.
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What’s News Today: Mast General opens, Dollywood reopens
ROANOKE, Va. – Dollywood and Splash Country reopen today. There’s a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning for the new Mast General Store in downtown Roanoke. Traffic on Greenview Drive in Lynchburg will be reduced to one lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays, starting today. Starting today, the dining room is open, so you can sit down and order an R’ Burger and World’s Greatest Fries. The dining areas are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Dollywood opening postponed and resort closed until May
– A famed Tennessee destination known for its festivals and special events won’t open until later in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Dollywood officials say the park’s opening is postponed until at least May. Operations at the DreamMore Resort and Spa are also suspended as of Tuesday. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins will stay open, according to Dollywood officials. Guests with resort reservations or tickets for this period of temporary closure, are asked to contact 1-800-DOLLYWOOD for rescheduling information.
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Dollywood features 5 million holiday lights during Christmas festival
Pigeon Forge, TN – There’s nothing quite like Christmas in the mountains. Dollywood’s Smokey Mountain Christmas Festival has been named the Best Holiday event in the country for the last 12 years. Ellen Liston visited 10 News to talk about the celebration. Featuring more than 5 million Christmas lights, Liston said the festival has something for all ages including holiday food, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer plus all the rides and attractions that Dollywood offers each year. New this year, Wildwood Grove, the newest addition to the park which opened in May, will be decorated for the holiday.

Tennessee Lawmaker Goes on Homophobic Rant, Says White Men Have 'Very Few Rights'
A Tennessee elected official went on a homophobic rant during a public meeting and then claimed white men in the United States "have very few rights." His remarks prompted Sara Thompson, chair of the Sevier County Democrats, to rebuke Hurst. "The statements made by Commissioner Hurst at the Sevier County Commission meeting of October 21, 2019, do not reflect the opinion or position of Sevier County administration," the post said. "Sevier County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or status in any other group protected by law." RELATED STORIESKevin Hart's Ex-Wife Insists He's Not Homophobic: Today on Inside EditionActress Who Played Cindy on 'The Brady Bunch' Fired for Homophobic Rant: ReportOpenly Gay Pastor Admits He Wrote Homophobic Slur on Whole Foods Cake

Dollywood hosts annual fall festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights
Fall is such a beautiful time in the Great Smoky Mountains up in east Tennessee and it's also a very special time of year at Dollywood. Ellen Liston, is Dollywood's senior publicist and she showcases all they have coming up! Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

Dollywood's Great Pumpkin LumiNights named nation's best theme park Halloween event
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. - If you're looking for a scare this Halloween, why not take a trip to Dollywood? The theme park's Great Pumpkin LumiNights was named the nation's best theme park Halloween event in USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The family-friendly event in Pigeon Forge also includes giant sculptures, pumpkin-themed food and live entertainment. Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights finished second to Dollywood, with Halloween Haunt at Kings Island third. "We knew Great Pumpkin LumiNights was a hit during the first few evenings of the event in 2017," said Pete Owens, Dollywood vice president of marketing and public relations.

Become a Dollywood insider, receive tickets, behind-the-scenes access and more
ROANOKE, Va. - If you love Dollywood and you're social media savvy-- you could become one of the next park insiders. Dollywood is in search of its next panel of park insiders who share experiences and tips through online content. For the past three seasons, park guests have found helpful information on Dollywood blogs and social channels thanks to this group of seasoned Dollywood veterans. Dollywood intentionally selects panelists from diverse walks of life to best represent Dollywood park visitors. Dollywood Insiders are tasked with pitching and executing creative blogs and videos that help others learn about Dollywood, Dollywoods Splash Country, Dollywoods DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywoods Smoky Mountain Cabins.