Dolly Parton is dressed as a black bear for the grand opening of the Big Bear Mountain rollercoaster in Dollywood’s Wildwood Grove on Friday, May 12, 2023.

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Dolly Parton and “The E-Team – Elvises of the Sky” at the grand opening of Dollywood’s 13th season in 1998.

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Dolly Parton poses with butterflies Flit and Flutter during the grand opening of Dollywood’s new Wildwood Grove expansion on Friday, May 10, 2019.

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Dolly Parton appears as “Splash Woman” as Dollywood Splash Country announces the addition of a new attraction in Pigeon Forge on Saturday, June 16, 2012. “River Rush” will be 1200 ft. long, going as high as four stories with four drops, opening in May of 2013.

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Dolly Parton announces a new addition to Dollywood, a $25 million Big Bear Mountain roller coaster in the Wildwood Grove section of Dollywood, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.

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Dolly Parton strikes a pose in April 2008 for the audience reminiscent of the style of Porter Wagoner who she was paying a musical tribute to at Dollywood. Band members also wore rhinestone-incrusted suits in the style of Wagoner.

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Dolly Parton serves dessert to reporters during media day at Dollywood in 2003. Dolly was announcing the opening of her Festival of Nations which opens Saturday, April 5.

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Dolly Parton welcomes visitors to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Friday, March 15, 2019. Parton was visiting the park to kick off the 2019 season and give updates on the Wildwood Grove expansion.

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Dressed as a pirate, Dolly Parton speaks to guests prior to the start of her new Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show in Pigeon Forge on Friday, June 7, 2019.

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Dolly Parton walks on stage with Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton to speak to season pass holders and media members in Dolly Parton’s Celebrity Theatre at opening day for the 2024 season at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Friday, March 8, 2024.

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Dolly Parton opened the season at Dollywood on Friday, March 21, 2014 by starting its new Firechaser ride.

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Crowds and lights follow Dolly Parton after a press conference at her theme park, Dollywood in this Oct. 7, 1987 photo.

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Dolly Parton announced her My People Fund, a coordinated effort with the Dollywood Foundation and area businesses with which she has ties, in the days immediately after the wildfires that devastated parts of Parton’s native Sevier County.

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Decked out in her version of aviator gear with a replica of an old-time airplane behind her, Dolly Parton poses on Friday, March 25, 2011, near the newest thrill ride, “Barnstormer,” at her theme park, Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge.

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Dolly Parton and her brother Randy Parton, left, and her niece Heidi Parton, right, sing during the Christmas in the Smokies show at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Friday, November 9, 2018. Glacier Ridge features several new lighting displays, including a 50-ft. tall animated tree, the all new Arctic Passage and the Northern Lights.

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Dolly Parton makes her entrance during a surprise visit to the LeConte Medical Center dedication ceremony in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. Earlier in the day Parton took a tour of the facility which is slated to open Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.

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Dolly Parton sings the closing song during the 75th anniversary re-dedication of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at Newfound Gap.

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Dolly Parton announces the new $20 million Dolly’s Splash Country waterpark during a ceremony Friday in Pigeon Forge. The park will cover nearly 35 acres adjacent to Dollywood when completed in May of next year. 2000.

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Entertainer Dolly Parton thanks citizens of Silver Dollar City for their support, while Silver Dollar City Mayor Ted Miller listens November 27, 1985.

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Dolly Parton talks to media and fans Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, about her upcoming harvest and Christmas events.

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Alyvia Alan Lind, left, and Dolly Parton sing together during an event announcing Dollywood’s newest expansion named Wildwood Grove on Friday, August 3, 2018.

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Dolly Parton kicks off the 2007 season with an appearance at the new $17 miliion Mystery Mine ride Friday at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

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Dolly Parton performs Rocky Top at the end of the first quarter of a football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

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Sevier County High School graduate Dolly Parton shows her Smoky Bear colors after presenting the state football championship trophy on Aug. 19, 2000, in Sevierville.

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Dolly Parton welcomes guests to the grand opening of Heartsong Lodge & Resort at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Friday Nov. 3, 2023.

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Dolly Parton talks to reporters during media day at Dollywood in 2003. Dolly was announcing the opening of her Festival of Nations which opens Saturday, April 5.

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Dolly Parton clowns around at Dollywood Friday wearing a chef’s hat before making the announcement of the winner of her cookbook contest. The big prize is Dolly hosting a cookout for 100 people at the winner’s home. 2006

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Talking to the media on April 25, 1992, Dolly Parton marks the expansion of her theme park.

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Dolly Parton sits in the bedroom of her apartment at Dollywood and talks about the new areas she and her business partners plan to expand into. Nov. 18, 1999.

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Dolly Parton has fun with Pete Owen, public relations manager for Dollywood, during media day in a preview of opening weekend. Parton made Pete give the play by play as the parks new roller coaster called Thunderhead as it made its way around the tracks. 2015

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Dolly Parton introduced her brother Randy and sister Cassie on stage at her 2013 season preview at Dollywood Friday, Mar. 22, 2013 announcing that they would be performing at the park this year.

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Dolly Parton sings one of her hit songs, “9 to 5” at the Golden Ticket Awards at Dollywood on Saturday, September 9, 2023 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

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Dolly Parton welcomes visitors to the Christmas in the Smokies show at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Friday, November 9, 2018. Glacier Ridge features several new lighting displays, including a 50-ft. tall animated tree, the all new Arctic Passage and the Northern Lights.

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Dolly Parton performs on opening day of the Dollywood season Friday in Pigeon Forge. 2012

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Dolly Parton at Dollywood on Friday singing with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Dolly was in town making several announcements including the winner of her cookbook contest which included having a cookout for 100 people including Dolly herself.

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Dolly Parton jokes with her creative director Steve Summers during a costume change as she helped launch Dollywood’s “Season of Showstoppers” with a special preview for media and season passholders Friday, Mar. 16, 2018.

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Dolly Parton laughs as she speaks to a crowd during an opening day event at Dollywood on Friday, March 11, 2022. Friday’s visit was Parton’s first public visit to the park since 2019.

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Dolly Parton plays a song in front of a rendering of the lobby for Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge and Resort during an event at the resort’s construction site in Pigeon Forge on Friday, June 24, 2022.

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Dolly Parton sings “I Will Always Love You” at Dollywood on the park’s opening day for pass holders on Friday, March 10, 2023. Dollywood is currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of “I Will Always Love You,” one of Parton’s biggest hits.

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Dolly Parton speaks to season pass holders and media members in Dolly Parton’s Celebrity Theatre at opening day for the 2024 season at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Friday, March 8, 2024.

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Dolly Parton talks about the release of her children’s book, “I am a Rainbow” and participates in an award ceremony at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, on Friday, June 12, 2009.

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Dolly Parton performs at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge as part of her “Pure & Simple” tour on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016.

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Dolly Parton sings with two of the Stavropolye Cossacks State Dance group at Dollywood in 2003. Dolly was opening her Festival of Nations which features hundreds of performers from countries like Kenya, The Ukraine, Bulgaria, Ireland, Trinidad, the Czech Republic and Russian Cossacks.

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Dolly Parton sings a Hurricane Helene version of her song “Jolene” while announcing a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation during an event at the Wal-Mart in Newport, Tenn., on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Parton’s various East Tennessee businesses, like Dollywood Parks & Resorts, are also combining efforts to match Parton’s $1 million donation to the foundation.

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Dolly Parton interacts with Benjamin the bear as she announces a new addition to Dollywood, a $25 million Big Bear Mountain roller coaster in the Wildwood Grove section of Dollywood, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.

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Dolly Parton speaks prior to the start of her new dinner show Smoky Mountain Adventures in Pigeon Forge on Friday, May 5, 2017.

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Dolly Parton opens Dollywood’s 30th anniversary season with performers from the Festival of Nations Friday, March 20, 2015, in Pigeon Forge. Parton announced that they will be adding 30 new features to the park this season.

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Dolly Parton poses with personal mementos to be displayed in the DreamMore Resort during a press event at Dollywood, Friday, May 2, 2014. The resort, set to open in the summer of 2015, will offer 306 guest rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, and a spa.

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Dolly Parton porforms at Dollywood Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Pigeon Forge.

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An interview with Dolly Parton on Friday, May 6, 2011 to talk about Dollywood winning The Liseberg Applause Award.

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Dolly Parton takes part in a game of “Dolly Wood or Dolly Wouldn’t” with SiriusXM satellite radio host Andy Cohen Friday, May 6, 2016, at Dollywood. SiriusXM radio subscribers submitted questions for Parton with the winners invited to pose their questions during the show.

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Dolly Parton performs at Thompson-Boling Arena in a show to benefit her Imagination Library and the Robert F. Thomas Foundation on Wednesday, May 28, 2014.

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Dolly Parton faces the crowd after giving Garfield a kiss for his birthday during the opening of Kidfest at Dollywood in 2003. The birthday cake is for Garfield.

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Dolly Parton poses for photos at her “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings” Netflix series red carpet premiere at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on Tuesday, October 29, 2019.

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Dolly Parton on stage with Quade Sewell, a member of the Dreamland Drive-in cast, during the announcement of a $22 million wood coaster that will mark the largest attraction investment in the park’s history Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. The Lightning Rod is the world’s fastest, first launching wood coater and construction is expect to be ready in 2016.

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Dolly Parton announced plans for a $300 million expansion to include a resort and new attractions at Dollywood, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013. The investment will create more than 2,500 jobs.

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Dolly Parton talking about her career and dreams for Dollywood at her 2013 season preview Friday, Mar. 22, 2013.

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Dolly Parton kicks off her “Better Day” tour at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, July 17, 2011. The show proceeds will benefit Dolly’s Imagination Library childhood literacy program.

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In this Mar. 26, 2010 photo, Dolly Parton gives an interview at Dollywood. Parton was in town to celebrate the park’s 25th anniversary.

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Dolly Parton makes an appearance after a sneak preview for season pass holders of Le Grand Cirque’s ImaginŽ on Friday, March 27, 2009 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Parton informed the crowd about her upcoming Broadway play “9 to 5,” and her latest children’s book, “I Am a Rainbow.”

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Waving from her seat on the over 100-year-old ferris wheel at Dollywood, Dolly Parton marks the park’s seasonal opening in April 23, 1993.

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Dolly Parton poses with young ladies for a group photo during a celebration for Girl Scouts from the Tanasi Council at the Pines Theatre in Dollywood in 2009. About 400 girls earned the “Coat of Many Colors” badge based on Parton’s philosophy and song by the same name. Parton sang her famous song and awarded the girls their badges before posing for group photos.

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Dolly Parton talks about the release of her children’s book, “I am a Rainbow” and participates in an award ceremony at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, on Friday, June 12, 2009.

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Dolly Parton climbs into the backseat of a 1955 Chevrolet convertible at the seasonal opening of Dollywood April 21, 1995.

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Dolly Parton, left, takes her first look at the inside of the Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services with LeConte Medical Center president Ellen Wilhoit, center, and CEO Tony Spezia, right, in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. Parton made a surprise visit to the hospital in advance of its official opening set for Feb. 15, 2010.

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Dolly Parton greets students from the Sevierville Intermediate School Drama Club at Dollywood Thursday, May 7, 2009. The Drama Club students will be performing their own Dolly Parton musical, “Heartstrings,” while representing different eras of her music.

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Dolly Parton welcomes the audience while celebrating giving away her one millionth book from her library at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge in 2003.

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Dolly Parton performs in 2005 before a pack house at the theme park that carries her name, plugging her benefit concerts for the Dollywood foundation. Dollywood is in its 20th year and still going strong.

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Dolly Parton appeared with the Imagine group at Dollywood Friday, Mar. 26, 2010 to celebrate the park’s 25th anniversary. She began the day with private interviews and then multiple availabilities open to media and selected season ticket holders and guest.

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Dolly Parton dropped in during the performance of the Mexican Calpulli Dance Company while she was at Dollywood in 2008.

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Friday, August 15, 2008. Dolly Parton talks to media at Dollywood, Friday, about the park’s upcoming attractions that includes the new Adventure Mountain as well as Imagine presented by Le Grand Cirque that will headline Dollywood’s annual Festival of Nations.

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Dolly Parton presented the 25 millionth book to a 4-year-old boy from Birminham, Ala., at Dollywood Friday, Jun. 11, 2010 as part of her initiative, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The Imagination Library is a program which gives each child that participates a free book every month until the child turns 5-years-old.

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Saturday, April 12, 2008. Dolly Parton leads a rose ceremony at Dollywood Saturday to honor the late country music star Porter Wagoner. Several of Wagoner’s family were on hand for the event.

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Dolly Parton appeared at Dollywood Friday, Mar. 26, 2010 to celebrate the park’s 25th anniversary. During her performance with Imagine presented by Le Grand Cirque Dolly joked the she had finally found someone, Xiao Wei, smaller than her.

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Dolly Parton has fun with a few crowd members during media day to preview Dollywoods opening weekend. This is part of a business story talking about state tourism. 2004

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Dolly Parton kicks off the 2007 season with an appearance at the new Festival of Nations Celebrate Ireland production Friday at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

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Parton fulfilled her dream of creating a amusement park, and has been enjoying the rewards of the parks success for 20 years. 2005

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Dolly Parton embarrasses Gov. Phil Bredesen by saying she wanted to hip-bump him while they were on stage Friday at Dollywood. The Governor was at Dollywood for the introduction of Imagination Library a statewide preschool reading initiative he supports. 6/18/2004

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Carol Burnett and Dolly Parton are performing during their mock-melodramatic love song skit during the taping of the “Dolly and Carol in Nashville” television special before a packed audience at the Grand Ole Opry House on Jan. 10, 1979.

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Dolly Parton surprises young ladies during a celebration for Girl Scouts from the Tanasi Council at the Pines Theatre in Dollywood in 2009. About 400 girls earned the “Coat of Many Colors” badge based on Parton’s philosophy and song by the same name. Parton sang her famous song and awarded the girls their badges before posing for group photos.

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Dolly Parton at Dollywood in 2006 singing with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Dolly was in town making several announcements including the winner of her cookbook contest which included having a cookout for 100 people including Dolly herself.

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Dolly Parton performs for undergraduates the commencement ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena Friday, May 8, 2009.

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Dolly Parton speaks about Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas and the park’s 2018 season during a media event at Dollywood on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.

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