Pigeon Forge - 2002--For years, millions of visitors have flocked to Dollywood for the theme park's annual Festival of Nations, Harvest Celebration and Smoky Mountain Christmas, all recipients of national tourism and industry honors. Now the park is looking to improve upon its own award-winning special events efforts with the creation of a new Special Events team, dedicated solely to developing new events at the park while improving even more upon established ones.

"The addition of our Special Events team is very exciting for us," said Dollywood General Manager Ken Bell. "Our goal is still to be the Entertainment Capital of the Smokies and we'll continue to expand and add attractions each year, but we also want to bring more events to the park like our Festival of Nations and Smoky Mountain Christmas to provide our guests and particularly season passholders with even more value and variety."

The new Special Events team will be under the direction of 25-year company veteran Dave Anderson, who served as the Pigeon Forge theme park's Director of Attractions for the past 15 years. Additional team members include Special Events Managers Jane Groff, also a former Attractions employee who has been with the company for 12 years, and Cyndi Padgett, who served on Dollywood's Merchandise Team for nearly 15 years before leaving to open her own furnishings store and decorating business. Carol White has been named Administrative/Production Assistant for the team, and Rolando Camacho will serve as Special Events Production Coordinator.

The responsibilities of the Special Events division include two remaining festivals in the 2002 season: the Harvest Celebration October 4 through November 2, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and includes the 11th annual Woodcarvers Showcase along with the annual Southern Gospel Jubilee; and Smoky Mountain Christmas set for November 9 through December 30, which features a new nightly parade of lights. In addition, the team will coordinate Dollywood's annual Festival of Nations in the spring of 2003 as well as a soon to be announced festival planned for later in the year.

For more information, contact Dollywood's Information Line at (865) 428-9488 or visit the park's website at www.dollywood.com