Pigeon Forge, TN - The 2003 season will open April 5th with Dollywood's 3rd annual Festival of Nations. This international celebration of music and dance will feature over 300 performers from 14 countries around the world. New performances for 2003 include the spectacular Legend Dragon Acrobats of China, the colorful Brilho da Ilha of Brazil, the Conbrios group from Germany, Uhot from Turkey, Gradac from Yugoslavia, as well as groups from Mexico and Israel. Returning favorites include the beautiful Russian National Theater, the Irish Ceili featuring the group Moonshine with Catherine Coates and Noel Ginnity, the Bohemia Sax Quartet from the Czech Republic, Uzory from Ukraine, Cooee Downunder from Australia, and the Tropical Angel Harps from Trinidad.
"Music is a universal language. In my travels around the world, I have found that people are drawn to music. Whether or not you understand the words, music touches the heart in a way that unites us all," said Dolly Parton. "It is the ambassador of our world, and the most beautiful language ever spoken".
New in 2003, Dollywood is celebrating the cuisines of the world with an International Food Faire showcasing the incredible variety of foods on six continents. Food Faire, housed in the 7,000 square foot Celebration Hall, will provide guests with an opportunity to "travel" from continent to continent and country to country in mere steps, tasting the flavor of their cultures.
Dollywood's Festival of Nations will be the "rose" of the Smoky Mountain's inaugural Springfest, a new area festival showcasing the natural and floral beauty of the Smokies. Dolly will serve as the Grand Marshall of the new "Springfest in the Smokies" parade on April 4th.
The 2003 season at Dollywood offers something new for every season. New in 2003 is Dollywood's national children's festival, "KidsFest," the largest kids' festival in the South, running June 20th to August 10th. To launch this new festival, Dolly's bringing world-class kids' entertainment to the park, including the VeggieTales® characters Bob the Tomato® and Larry the Cucumber®. Fresh from starring in their first major motion picture, "Jonah," in theaters and now on video, the popular duo will headline their own stage production show, written exclusively for Dollywood, in the park's Showstreet Palace Theatre. Also appearing is "Garfield® Happy Birthday to Me" the cat from America's number one syndicated cartoon strip. Joining Garfield® for the celebration is the familiar characters Odie® and John.
This summer-long festival will rev up the season with an ASA Extreme Sports Show featuring a combination of stunt skateboarding, roller blading, and BMX biking. These high-speed daredevils will dazzle folks of all ages with their stunning aerial artistry.
The amazing dogs from the Purina® Dog Chow® Incredible Dog Team are taking time off from their national tour to perform tricks, acrobatics and animal antics in a demonstration of skill and daring tricks. Street performances, hands-on activities, and food made just for kids of all ages will also highlight Dollywood's KidsFest.
Also new this summer is a rock n' roll show centered around the phenomena of 1960's TV dance shows. Buddy Baxter's Bandstand USA will debut in the Pines Theatre Memorial Day weekend. There's also a new country production show, Randy Parton Country State of Mind featuring Dolly's brother with Grand Ole Opry legends as special guest stars.
"I'm excited about sharing the stage with some of our favorite country legends in this new show," Randy Parton said. Randy Parton Country State of Mind premieres April 5th.
Two weekend-long events return this summer at Dollywood. Days of Praise sponsored by Knoxville Christian radio station Love 89 FM, features Avalon, The Benjamin Gate and more than a dozen other groups representing the best in contemporary Christian music June 7th and 8th. The Bluegrass Blast, sponsored by WIVK Radio, returns Labor Day weekend with bluegrass superstars Mountain Heart and the Gibson Brothers headlining a group of nearly a dozen artists.
Some of the hottest names in country music visit the park all summer long with Dollywood's annual Showcase of Stars concert series, sponsored by Coca-Cola, Tennessee State Bank, WIVK-FM and The Knoxville News Sentinel. Each concert is packaged as an event, teaming country artists like Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner; Jamie O'Neal and Billy Dean; and Marty Stuart and Connie Smith. Each Showcase of Stars concert requires an additional paid ticket.
The award-winning Harvest Celebration, Southern Gospel Jubilee, and Smoky Mountain Christmas festivals will complete the park's season of special events.
