Hometown hero Dolly Parton was back in Sevier County over the weekend to celebrate the 2011 season opening of Dollywood.
On Friday, she enchanted a crowd at the new Barnstormer ride on season passholder's preview day, greeting the press, family members and fans at the chilly early morning event. She and members of her family band played "My Mountains, My Home," "My Tennessee Mountain Home," "Applejack" and "Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man."
Next, she popped in for a brief appearance to welcome the crowd after a performance by Festival of Nations headliner Samaia from the former Soviet republic Georgia before making a park tour. She had started the day with interviews live via satellite on ABC's “Good Morning America” and FOX News' “Fox & Friends.”
 On Saturday she once again showed up for the official season opening on the park’s first day of the year admitting members of the general public. She popped in for brief appearances at the Samaia show again as well as Canadian percussion performers Drum! before riding in the annual Festival of Nations Parade through the park.
 Complete coverage, including video and audio reports as well as many photo galleries, will be available over the next several days on Dollymania.net: The Online Dolly Parton Newsmagazine. Her next expected appearances in the area will be for her 2011 Homecoming Parade through Pigeon Forge on May 6.
 

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.