Dollywood has shared how it plans to honor "dreamer-in-chief” Dolly Parton after her death at the age of 80. Raised in rural Sevier County, Dolly Parton helped transform the theme park into the area's top employer and a major tourist destination. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, park officials announced plans to introduce a new character named the Dream Maker, inspired by Parton's Imagination Library.
A chapel located inside the park will also feature a new waterfall and stained glass windows reflecting her deep faith. Visitors will be able to leave messages about Parton at designated kiosks, while further additions are coming to The Dolly Parton Experience, a multibuilding space containing exhibits dedicated to her life and career. Situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee, Sevierville is also installing markers throughout the city to establish a self-guided walking tour of locations that held significance for the singer, actor and philanthropist.
Dolly Parton’s family announced her death in an emotional Instagram video on August 25. Her representatives later confirmed that she died following a “brief battle with cancer.” She was laid to rest at a private funeral, in line with her wishes. Dolly had made it clear before she died that she wanted a “small, private service” for immediate family, the singer’s team said.
Her service was held at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where she was buried next to Carl Dean, her husband of 60 years who died in March 2025. She never made my dreams feel too big or made me feel like I couldn’t do something. She believed in me before I even knew how to believe in myself.”
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