Dolly Parton Launches Dollywood's 20th Anniversary Season in Platinum Style

PIGEON FORGE, TN. (Dollywood/ www.dollywood.com) - Dolly Parton, one of the world's most famous platinum blondes, visited her Dollywood theme park last Friday (April 1) to officially launch the park's 20th anniversary season-in platinum style.

In grand fashion befitting the entertainment legend, Parton gifted approximately 1,600 Dollywood guests gathered for a special 20th anniversary event in DP's Celebrity Theatre with Platinum passes. Valid for 20 years and valued at approximately $5,000 each, the Platinum pass provides each recipient with unlimited access to Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country, along with free parking and additional park discounts. Parton's surprise gift is valued at approximately $8 million.

In addition to highlighting Dollywood's milestones from the past 20 years, Parton unveiled the park's 2005 additions:
- 10 new family rides in Dollywood's Country Fair area;
- the word-renowned Moscow Circus, headliners of this year's Festival of Nations(TM) which continues through May 8;
- an all-new entertainment lineup for the park's summertime KidsFest(SM)(June 17-Aug. 7), including Clifford the Big Red Dog(TM) Live stage show and the introduction of Dolly's Imagination Playhouse featuring the stage productions based on the stories of three book's from Parton's Imagination Library;
- the new National Music & Harvest Celebration (Sept. 23-Oct. 29) featuring 38 days of free concerts by country, bluegrass, Southern gospel and Americana artists;
- the International Sounds of Christmas, a series of special performances by the von Trapp Children, the Moscow Boys Choir, Michael Londra in A Celtic Yuletide and Christmas Around the World by Vinok Worldance during the park's annual Smoky Mountain Christmas (Nov. 5-Dec. 30) festival.

Dollywood's 20th anniversary season continues through Dec. 30 with special prizes and surprises for guests to commemorate the occasion. For more information, visit www.dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.