Dollywood will ‘keep Dolly Parton alive’

Bosses at Dollywood theme park have pledged the attraction will keep Dolly Parton “alive”.

Bosses at Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park have pledged to “keep her alive” at the attraction.

The country music legend died on Tuesday (25.08.26) at the age of 80 but the Tennessee tourist attraction – which she co-owned with Herschend Family Entertainment – have insisted they won’t be changing anything about the site, despite the absence of their “Dreamer-in-Chief”.

Dollywood Parks and Resorts President Eugene Naughton said in a video message on Wednesday (26.08.26): “This is a really heavy day for all of us here at Dollywood Parks and Resorts.

We’ve been dealing with the news of our Dreamer-in-Chief passing, and I want to speak directly to you to make sure you realize that she’s alive and well here.

“I know a lot of people are concerned that things are going to change without Dolly being present here, and I want to assure you that it’s not. Just know that we’re all going to keep her alive here.

“It’s hard, right?”

Eugene urged fans and visitors to honour Dolly’s legacy by showing “kindness” and dreaming “big”.

He added: “We’re all humans, so I ask everyone to just remember that.

“And to honour how she would treat others; show kindness. Don’t be afraid to love big. Don’t be afraid to dream big. Don’t be afraid to care more about others because that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Because that’s exactly what she’d want us to do.

“The show must go on.”

His video came shortly after it was confirmed Dollywood would open as usual this week, despite the Jolene singer’s death.

A statement from Dollywood confirmed: “Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle —‘the show must go on.’

“Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness. A space where families and friends could honour her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams…

“Dolly’s enduring legacy extends beyond her music and generosity to her remarkable work ethic—an inspiration to people everywhere. Together, we honour her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope.”

After Dolly died, her representatives confirmed she had been through a “brief battle with cancer”.

She had been largely out of the spotlight in recent months due to undisclosed health concerns, and her problems meant she missed a major appearance at Dollywood earlier this month for the opening of its new NightFlight Expedition attraction.

Instead, Dolly addressed the crowd virtually from Nashville, explaining dizziness and dehydration had prevented her from making the journey and that her doctor had told her to remain at home.

Dolly said: “I’m still in Nashville, and I’m sorry about that.

“I’m supposed to be there in person, like we planned. Now I’ve told you before, all my fans, that I have had a few little health issues. And sometimes I get a little dizzy, and I get dehydrated.

“And I’m dehydrated. And so my Nashville doctor clipped my wings, saying you ain’t traveling this week.”

Dolly, who appeared in the video wearing fairy wings, added: “So I guess if your doctor tells you you ain’t traveling this week, you ain’t traveling this week.”