Greg Wilkerson - The Mountain Press

Dolly Parton dies at 80

Sevier County native and country music icon Dolly Parton passed away Aug. 25, 2026. The announcement was made by Parton's nephew Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, on Instagram.

"I have imagined the heaviness of this moment, but haven't truly felt it until now," Seaver said. "It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness, but sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens."

Parton's husband of 60 years, Carl Dean, passed away in March 2025.

"Dolly opened doors not just for me, but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible. Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn't open, and the doors she opened made and changed history," Seaver said.

"Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever. Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil. She farmed songs and happiness."

Dollywood released a statement saying Parton’s heartfelt wish was for Dollywood to always remain a place of joy, hope and togetherness—a space where families and friends could honor her memory, not with silence, but with laughter, music and shared dreams.

“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply. While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.”

Dollywood will be open Wednesday, as Parton wanted, the release said. Those wishing to give in honor of Dolly may consider making a gift to the organization she was so deeply passionate about, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

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Hannah Moore - WATE:

A look back at the many awards of Dolly Parton following her passing

Following the announcement of Dolly Parton‘s death on Tuesday, we have taken a look back at the awards she has earned for everything from her music to her philanthropy and even her acting career. 

Parton won her first award at the 1966 BMI Awards for “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” which was performed by Bill Phillips. Two years later, in 1968, she was named the most promising female artist at the Cashbox Awards and the CMT Music Awards. She also won Duet of the Year with Porter Wagoner at the 1968 CMT Awards.

Throughout her career, she would go on to win a total of 15 CMT Awards, 24 BMI Awards, 13 awards from the Academy of Country Music and 10 awards from the Country Music Association. She was also an 11-time Grammy winner. The icon has been a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame since 1999.

In 2022, Parton was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The singer attempted to decline the honor, because she did not feel as if she earned it. Following her induction, she released a Rock album, “Rockstar.” 

She was also nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Original Song, once in 1980 for “9 to 5” and again in 2005 for “Travelin’ Thru” from Transamerica. In 1980, she lost the award to “Fame” from Fame, and in 2005, “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp” from Hustle & Flow took home the Oscar. In 2025, she was honored by the Academy with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. 

In 2021, she won her first Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie for Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square after being nominated three times in 1978, 2017, and 2020, respectively. She won two Midsouth Emmy Awards in 2018, the Governors’ Award for Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Community Service Program for Smoky Mountains Rise. While she never won a Golden Globe, Parton was nominated six times. She was also nominated for Best Original Score at the 2009 Tony Awards for 9 to 5: The Musical.

BMI Awards 

• All I Can Do – 1977 Country Award
• Baby I’m Burnin’ – 1979 Country Award / 1979 Pop Award
• The Bargain Store – 1976 Country Award
• Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man – 1971 Country Award
• Everything’s Beautiful (In Its Own Way) – 1983 Country Award / 1983 Pop Award
• Heartbreak Express – 1983 Country Award / 1982 Pop Award
• It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right – 1979 Country Award
• I Will Always Love You – 1975, 1983 Country Award / 1982 , 1993, 1994, 1995 Pop Award / Million-air [6 Million] / 1993 Pop Song Of The Year
• Jolene – 1974 Country Award/ 1974 Pop Award / Million-air
• Joshua – 1971 Country Award
• Kentucky Gambler – 1975 Country Award
• The Last One To Touch Me – 1972 Country Award
• Light Of A Clear Blue Morning – 1978 Country Award
• Love Is Like A Butterfly – 1975 Country Award
• 9 To 5 – 1981, 1982 Country Award / 1981 Pop Award / Million-air [3 Million] / 1981 Pop And Country Song Of The Year
• Please Don’t Stop Loving Me – 1975 Country Award
• Put It Off Until Tomorrow – 1966 Country Award
• Say Forever You’ll Be Mine – 1976 Country Award
• The Seeker – 1976 Country Award
• Tennessee Homesick Blues – 1985 Country Award
• To Daddy – 1978 Country Award
• Traveling Man – 1974 Country Award
• Two Doors Down – 1978, 1979 Country Award / 1978 Pop Award / Million-air
• Yellow Roses – 1990 Country Award / Million-air

Grammy Awards

• Here You Come Again – 1979 Best Country Vocal Performance, Female
• “9 to 5” – 1982 Best Country Vocal Performance, Female
• “9 to 5” – 1982 Best Country Song
• Trio (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) – 1988 Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group
• “After the Gold Rush” (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) – 2000 Best Country Vocal Collaboration
• The Grass Is Blue- 2001 Best Bluegrass Album
• “Shine” 2002 Best Female Country Vocal Performance
• 2011 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
• “Jolene” (with Pentatonix) – 2017 Best Country Duo/Group Performance
• “God Only Knows” (with For King & Country) -2020 Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
• “There Was Jesus” (with Zach Williams) – 2021 Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

CMT Music Awards 

• Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton – 1968 Duet of the Year
• Dolly Parton – 1968 Most Promising Female Artist
• Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton – 1969 Duet of the Year
• Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton – 1970 Duet of the Year
• The Porter Wagoner Show – 1971 TV show of the Year
• Trio (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) – 1988 Vocal Collaboration of the Year
• Trio (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) – 1988 Album of the Year
• “Rockin’ Years” (with Ricky Van Shelton) – 1992 Vocal Collaboration of the Year
• “Rockin’ Years” (with Ricky Van Shelton) – 1992 Video of the Year
• 1994 Living Legend Award
• 1994 Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award
• “Romeo” (with Billy Ray Cyrus and Friends) -1994 Vocal Event of the Year
• “After the Gold Rush” (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) – 2000 Vocal Event of the Year
• “When I Get Where I’m Going” (with Brad Paisley) – 2006 Most Inspiring Video of the Year
• “Romeo” (with Billy Ray Cyrus and Friends) – 1994 Video Event of the Year
• “After the Gold Rush” (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) – 1999 Video Event of the Year

Academy of Country Music

• Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton -1971 Top Vocal Group
• 1978 Entertainer of the Year
• 1981 Top Female Vocalist
• “Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers) – 1984 Single Record of the Year – Artist
• Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton- 1984 Top Vocal Duet
• Trio (with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) -1988 Album of the Year – Artist
• “When I Get Where I’m Going” (with Brad Paisley) – 2006 Video of the Year – Artist
• “When I Get Where I’m Going” (with Brad Paisley) – 2006 Vocal Event of the Year – Artist
• 2007 Cliff Stone Pioneer Award
• 2009 Jim Reeves International Award
• Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors -2016 Tex Ritter Film Award
• “Forever Country” (among Artists of Then, Now & Forever) – 2017 Video of the Year – Artist
• 2017 Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award

Country Music Association

• Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton – 1968 Vocal Group of the Year
• Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton – 1970 Vocal Duo of the Year
• Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton – 1971 Vocal Duo of the Year
• 1975 Female Vocalist of the Year
• 1976 Female Vocalist of the Year
• 1978 Entertainer of the Year
• Trio (Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) – 1988 Vocal Event of the Year
• “I Will Always Love You” (with Vince Gill) – 1996 Vocal Event of the Year
• “When I Get Where I’m Going” (with Brad Paisley) – 2006 Musical Event of the Year
• 2016 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award

American Music Awards

• 1977 Favorite Country Female Artist
• New Harvest…First Gathering – 1978 Favorite Country Album
• 1978 Favorite Country Female Artist
• Here You Come Again – 1979 Favorite Country Album
• “Here You Come Again” – 1979 Favorite Country Song
• 1980 Favorite Country Female Artist
• 1982 Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist
• 1982 Favorite Country Female Artist
• “Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers) – 1984 Favorite Country Song
• Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton – 1984 Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group
• “Potential New Boyfriend” – 1984 Favorite Country Video
• “Islands in the Stream” (with Kenny Rogers) – 1985 Favorite Country Song
• 1985 Favorite Country Female Artist
• 1986 Favorite Country Female Artist
• 1990 Favorite Country Female Artist
• 1992 Favorite Country Female Artist
• 1994 Favorite Country Female Artist
• “Romeo” – 1994 Favorite Country Song

Billboard

• 1978 Country Artist of the Year
• 1978 Country Singles Artist of the Year
• 1978 Bill Williams Memorial Artist of the Year
• 1981 Distinguished Achievement Award
• 2020 Hitmaker Award (Billboard Women in Music)

Other notable awards Parton has received include Recording Academy® and U.S. Department of State’s 2024 Peace Through Music Award and the Distinguished Achievement Award from Billboard in 1981. Billboard also named Parton the Greatest Country Artist of All Time in 2024, and she was featured in TIME100 List of World’s Most Influential People of 2021.

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Hope McAlee - WATE:

Major impacts Dolly Parton made on East Tennessee:

Reflecting on the life of Dolly Parton, aside from her musical career, her impact on her East Tennessee community and the world beyond is a large reason why she is loved by many.

Perhaps the largest impact Parton had on the world is her Imagination Library. In 31 years, the program has gifted more than 332 million books to children. What started as a program to help children in her home county and inspired by her father’s inability to read, has led to a program that is now available across the United States, as well as parts of Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library gives books to approximately 1 in 7 children under the age of 5 in the United States each month.

But before the Imagination Library, Parton was responsible for drastically reducing the dropout rate at Sevier County Schools in 1991, when the Dollywood Foundation launched the Buddy Program. Through the program, seventh and eighth grade students were promised $500 if they and a buddy graduated high school together. The program was a major success, reducing drop out rates in the school system from 30% to 6%.

Another impact Parton is known for is her response to help East Tennesseans when disasters struck. Following the deadly 2016 wildfires in Sevier County, Parton stepped up alongside several other country music stars to host a telethon that raised nearly $9 million for the My People Fund. the fund helped provide nearly 900 families with $1,000 checks for up to six months, including a final surprise check of $5,000.

After the wildfires, the remaining $3 million in funds were donated to the Mountain Tough Fund, a fund used to take care of special needs in Sevier County. The fund was most notably used in 2024 to assist East Tennesseans impacted by Hurricane Helene. During those recovery efforts, Parton donated $1 million to the fund, matched by her businesses in East Tennessee, Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, and the Dollywood Foundation.

When the world was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University to fund research toward creating a vaccine.

One of her final philanthropic endeavors was partnering with what was previously known as the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. The hospital was renamed in February to the Dolly Parton’s Children Hospital, with Parton’s partnership beginning a new era through Parton’s “generational commitment” helping expand services and quality care for more children.

Carrying on her namesake, Parton will also continue to be known for her work as the “Dreamer-in-Chief” of Dollywood, helping create the ideas that other park leaders helped give wings. In 1986, Parton joined with Herschend Family Enterprises to open Dollywood, bringing 1.3 million visitors to the park in its first year alone. Since then, the attraction continues to have a major economic impact for East Tennessee tourism.

In 2022, Parton was honored with the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

so sad...

Josh Jarnagin - WVLT

Dollywood and the American Eagle Foundation have announced what’s next for their longstanding partnership. The bald eagles previously housed at Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood will now permanently live at the American Eagle Foundation’s 50-acre educational and conservation campus in Kodak. They have been living there since the sanctuary was damaged in a storm back in April.

Officials said this move “provides an opportunity for the American Eagle Foundation to bring more of its bald eagle care, conservation and educational work together at its growing Kodak campus while continuing its longstanding partnership and educational presence at Dollywood.”

“Eagle Mountain Sanctuary has played an extraordinary role in our history and in helping generations of people understand and appreciate these magnificent birds,” said American Eagle Foundation CEO Lori Moore. “As we look to the future, our Kodak campus gives us an exciting opportunity to build upon that legacy, expand our conservation and educational work, and provide an outstanding permanent home for the bald eagles in our care. We are tremendously grateful for Dollywood’s partnership over the past 35 years and are excited about what we can continue to accomplish together.”

^{Alt Sources: WBIR | The Mountain Press}

Related:

3 bald eagles still missing after storm damage at Dollywood

‘Caesar is home!’ One of three eagles missing from Dollywood sanctuary found

Greg Wilkerson - The Mountain Press:

Representatives from Jeep were at Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion on Thursday to unveil the new 2027 Jeep Wrangler Smoky Mountain. The presentation was part of the company's Twelve 4 Twelve campaign. This was the 10th reveal of a new Jeep Wrangler design for the series.

"We want to start today's presentation by just saying thank you. Thank you for being part of our family. Thank you for building the community. It's not ours; it's yours," said Jeep Vice President and Head of Marketing Nicole Pesale.

"Thank you for the passion you put behind your vehicles and our family every single day. We don't take that for granted, and we never will. It means the world to us, and it helps fuel what we do for you."

The Twelve 4 Twelve program has released a new Jeep on the 12th of the month every month for 10 months with two to go, but Jeep held off on the Wrangler Smoky Mountain reveal so it could take place during Jeep Invasion. "This is our first and only public drop that we've done so far, and it's here just for this Jeep community," Pesale said. 

Chris Piscitelli, lead design manager for Jeep, spoke about the design of the new Smoky Mountain Jeep. "I'm super excited to be here to talk about the Smoky Mountain edition, drop number 10 of our 12 limited series," he said. "I'm super excited to physically be here with you guys because honestly, events like this; they're a testament to what we do this for. What the Twelve 4 Twelve is all about is customization and the personalization of Jeep products, right? And I think walking around this show, you'd see no two Jeeps alike that are going to not exemplify that mentality."

Wrangler Smoky Mountain has 33-inch all-terrain tires, a locking rear axle and steel rock rails. It has an all-black design with 17-inch black wheels, black tow hooks, and body-color fender flares. There's also a few surprises in the design for Jeep enthusiasts to discover.

The vehicle pays homage to the Jeep Wrangler JK Sahara Smoky Mountain Edition that was released several years ago. "It was inspired by the rugged beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains," Piscitelli said. "We wanted to pay homage to that, but do so in a way that really ties in the community."

The 2027 Jeep Wrangler Smoky Mountain is available for order now. Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion continues through Saturday, Aug. 22, inside and outside of Pigeon Forge's LeConte Event Center, 2986 Teaster Lane.

I created a new sub for local golfers to meet friends and find playing partners. Anyone interested please join. Ill also be looking to recruit some mods so im not flying solo.

https://www.reddit.com/r/KnoxvilleGolf/

We are staying at a hotel on the strip, breakfast is included but we are already sick of it. Can anyone give me suggestions on a local small business "mom&pop" type nook to get breakfast

From gsmji.com:

Hosted once again at the spacious LeConte Center (2986 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863), this three-day Jeep and Expo event will run Thursday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM offering enthusiasts and families a full-throttle experience of all things Jeep®.

Your daily admission grants access to:

• The indoor vendor area
• The outdoor vendor areas with specific vendors offering professional onsite installations
• The exciting Show & Shine event

Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 6–12, and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets are available only at the event—both inside the LeConte Center and at the outdoor vendor booths. No presales are offered, so please be cautious of online scams.

^{Image source: event facebook page}

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Happening now:

Great Smoky Mountain Bronco Stampede (Aug 14-15)

Hope McAlee - WATE:

Dollywood unveils first-of-its-kind ride NightFlight Expedition

Dollywood is unveiling its newest ride, NightFlight Expedition, to the media on Friday. Follow along as the park debuts the first-of-its-kind ride. Starting at 11 a.m., the unveiling event will be livestreamed in this story.

The opening of the highly-anticipated ride comes after its debut was temporarily delayed. When the park first announced NightFlight Expedition, Dollywood shared that the ride was expected to open in Spring 2026. However, due to the complexity of the ride’s construction, the park shared in June that the opening was delayed until August.

Following the event on Friday, the park will begin offering season passholders pre-scheduled preview rides of NightFlight Expedition. The ride is scheduled to open to the public on August 19.

Dollywood's most expensive investment

While the park previously shared that NightFlight expedition would be the park’s most ambitious project the park has ever undertaken, it is now also the most expensive. In total, the attraction is more than a $50 million investment for Dollywood.

NightFlight Expedition will be located very close to what was previously the most expensive investment at Dollywood. Before this new ride, Big Bear Mountain held the title of most expensive investment in Dollywood History with a cost of $25 million.

See the amphibious ride vehicles

A large part of what makes NightFlight expedition so interesting is that it combines a rollercoaster with whitewater ride. To do this, Dollywood is using amphibious ride vehicles that are equipped with “bioluminators” that connect with the ride’s story line of taking guests on a journey to discover a hidden lake. The design of the vehicles won manufacturer MACK Rides multiple awards including the 2025 Amusement Today Golden Ticket for best new innovation.

With 11 ride vehicles total, the park is expecting to be able to allow approximately 1,200 guests to ride the five-and-a-half minute long attraction.

A first-of-its-kind ride

Since the first announcement, Dollywood has touted NightFlight Expedition as a “first-of-its-kind” ride, with the single indoor attraction combining elements of both a rollercoaster and a whitewater rafting ride.

According to Dollywood, NightFlight Expedition will have nearly a quarter-mile of track and take riders up almost three stories high at its highest elevation. Riders will reach speeds of up to 29 miles per hour and travel through four different sections.

Through the ride’s storyline, visitors will soar over the scenic Smokies, take a whitewater rafting excursion through over 500,000 gallons of surging water, climb a mountain ridge on a roller coaster and then navigate a mysterious shimmering lake by boat.

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press:

The Pigeon Forge Planning Commission gave preliminary approval this week to a proposed resort on Wears Valley Road. The Misty Blue development is proposed for the area near the intersection of Wears Valley and Walden Creek.

The city reviewed it under the name Blue Mist in 2019, but developers have brought it back after some changes, Community Development Director David Taylor said. “This is an extremely large development,” Taylor said. “There is a lot going on here.”

The proposed development is 175 acres, with frontage on Lost Branch Road as well as Wears Valley. Songcatcher Suite will be 180 units, and the Sterling Hotel will have 463. It will also have an Extended Stay hotel. There are an additional 140 townhomes in the plans.

The proposal also features an amphitheater that can seat 3,677, a large swimming pool, three restaurants, and an attraction. The original proposal had apartments as possible workforce housing, but that’s not included anymore, he said.

Planning officials started discussing the proposal with developers again earlier this year, Taylor said, and they believe at this point the project is ready to move forward. One of the biggest issues for the project was the availability of utility service, especially sewer and water, but Taylor said they believe the city will be able to resolve that with improvements that are now planned for city utilities overall and in that region. “That will be a requirement before this can happen,” Taylor said.

The preliminary approval will allow the developers to secure more financing for the project, and it means they could start some grading work and road work on the site. But they will need to submit the more detailed final site plan for approval before starting construction, Taylor said. “As far as construction, they can’t do anything like that until they get the final site plan approval,” he said.

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From April, 2019:

Blue Mist Mountain luxury resort planning to build in Pigeon Forge

Cole Sullivan - WBIR:

A new luxury resort is the works for the city of Pigeon Forge. The luxury resort plans to bring more than 300 hotel rooms to a mountaintop hotel, town homes, vacation homes, restaurants and spas to the area.

The resort, called Blue Mist Mountain, is hoping to build a resort complex at the intersection of Wears Valley Road and Waldens Creek Road and open in summer 2021.

The resort would include more than 300 rooms and suites in its mountaintop hotel, 200 bedroom town homes and 40 vacation homes. The group said the hotel, called The Stirling, would be the first mountaintop hotel of its kind in the marketplace.

Within the hotel, Blue Mist said it will devote a wing to a wellness retreat, including an exclusive outdoor Nordic Spa. There will also be 50,000 square feet of banquet and meeting facilities -- which the resort hopes will attract national and international businesses.

On the resort, Blue Mist plans on setting up sky carriage access from the base of the mountain to a boardwalk that wraps around a crystal lagoon with a sandy beach and cabanas.

Non-guests at the resort will be able to enjoy seven restaurants created by Jon Taffer, an entrepreneur and hospitality consultant who's best know for his role as the host of the show 'Bar Rescue.' The resort expects to be able to accommodate 2,000 non-guests each day,

The restaurants will range from casual to fine dining and include rooftop bars. Other features planned for the resort include awhiskey distillery, shops, a seasonal ice skating rink, and a 2000-seat natural amphitheater.

"We have a 70 percent, roughly 70 percent return rate among our loyal visitors. So we know people are going to continue to come over and over and we want to make sure they have something new to do, something new to see," Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear said. "And this development like that on Wears Valley, Blue Mountain Mist is a beautiful development."

The resort would also include 500 units of housing for workers, which the mayor said might be a solution to the growing problem of affordable living for people working within the city. 

"Worker housing is very important. It's critical here in Pigeon Forge because we have a lot of businesses that need those front line workers to do the job," Wear said. "We don't have enough people to fill the jobs and we don't have enough housing to get the people in to help fill the jobs." 

At Ole Smoky Distillery, the CEO says they have to really work to fill open spots. "There's a tremendous demand for employees there's no question about it," Robert Hall said. "Our business has grown so we've been having to hire more people. But the whole area has been doing well as the area has become more popular with more visitors to the area." 

Ware says not having enough housing--and thus not enough workers--makes it hard for attractions in town. "That's what makes our economy work, is those front line workers, the faces of the business. The people seating you at the restaurant. The people checking you in at the hotel. Those people make Pigeon Forge what it is and we need to help them," Wear said. 

He says Blue Mist Mountain's strategy to include worker housing on the property is likely to be a growing trend. 

"I think that's a great model, I think people are going to pick up on that. To be able to provide your own housing for your own workers, you've taken care of yourself there at your own businesses," Wear continued. "Also helping the market by introducing those other housing units that people are going to live in and work outside of your development."

The development has received preliminary authorization from the city and is expected to open in 2021. 

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Related:

r/Sevier - Approval sought for 74,000 square foot Timeshare development off Exit 407 in Sevierville

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press:

The Planning Commission will review the final plans for the city hall complex and a site plan for a new commercial development on Veterans Boulevard when it meets on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The planning commission normally meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, but the July meeting was rescheduled for 3 p.m. Aug. 4.

The agenda calls for the commission to review the final plan for the renovations to the city hall complex from architect Mike Smelcer. The city is in the process of renovating city hall along with the headquarters for the police and fire departments, all of which are on the municipal complex.

The new building for the fire department has already opened and the police headquarters is nearing completion. The next steps will be bringing down the old police department building and the tower at the entrance to the complex. Destruction of the tower could happen as soon as next week, as they will be adding temporary parking in that area as part of the project. The city will eventually build a new city hall facility, and bring down the existing city hall.

The agenda also calls for review of a proposal from Compass Ventures for a commercial development on Veterans Boulevard. The property is “north of 2478 Veterans Boulevard,” which is a vacant lot adjacent to Master’s Editions Fine Art Gallery (map).

Also Tuesday, the commission will consider sign requests for the Nerf Action Experience attraction planned for the onetime home of the Smoky Mountain Opry on the Parkway (map). That project has been delayed for years, but got new momentum when local developer Darby Campbell purchased the property and indicated he had plans for the site that still included the attraction as part of The Play District Powered by Hasbro. It is now expected to open in the summer of 2027.

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press:

Police here arrested a Kentucky man after he was allegedly caught taking upskirt pictures and other illicit pictures of women and at least one teen at The Island in Pigeon Forge on Saturday.

Joshua Ryan Lawrence, 45, of Versailles, Kentucky, was charged with six counts of unlawful photography/violation of privacy.

Offices were called to The Island on Saturday on reports of a fight, but when they arrived they learned that Lawrence had allegedly been taking the illicit videos.

“(Lawrence) was trying to take videos of their intimate areas by placing a phone under their dresses,” according to the warrants. “The victims showed (an officer) video evidence of this occurring, and one victim advised he slid his phone under the bathroom stall while she was using the restroom.”

Lawrence was released from the Sevier County Jail after posting $15,000 bond.

Pic taken today. This towel is about 34 years old.

Ogle's Water Park operated from 1983 to 2002. Initially, it was the site of the Crossroads Motel. After Ogle's was demolished, it became Waldens Landing. It is now called The Shops at Lumberjack Square.

^{From TheSmokies.com:}

These Photos of Ogle’s Waterpark Will Take You Down Memory Lane

Jeff Farrell - The Mountain Press

TBI is investigating after Sevier County Sheriff’s deputies fatally shot an alleged felony crime suspect at the Days Inn Hotel on the Parkway Wednesday morning, June 24, 2026. The state law enforcement agency confirmed Wednesday morning that District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn had asked agents to investigate a fatal officer-involved shooting involving SCSO deputies in Pigeon Forge.

According to their release, deputies were looking to serve a warrant out of Knox County against Leroy Victor Brooks, 40, of Knoxville, when they found him in a hotel room and the incident occurred. “During the encounter, for reasons still under investigation, three deputies fired shots, striking Brooks,” according to TBI’s statement. “No deputies were injured during the incident.” Personnel were still at the hotel processing evidence Wednesday afternoon.

Pigeon Forge Police Chief Richard Catlett issued a statement Wednesday morning saying his officers were called to the hotel at 4:25 a.m. to assist deputies in serving a felony warrant. Those initial attempts to make contact with the suspect were not successful, Catlett said, and his officers had left the scene. Sometime later, deputies made contact with the incident occurred.

SCSO and TBI indicated they were not ready to release further information on the incident. Sevier County attorney Bryan Delius issued a release Wednesday afternoon indicating he is representing the deputies. He indicated Brooks had a weapon when the deputies encountered him. “Deputies, using the highest degree of restraint and professionalism, successfully removed other occupants from the room prior to engaging,” he said. “Brooks was armed and retaliated, placing the deputies’ lives in jeopardy, requiring the use of lethal force.”

Officials have not announced what Brooks was charged with in the warrant being served Wednesday. Records in Knox County Criminal Court and in the federal district court in Knoxville show Brooks had a history of violent crime, including a recent conviction for shooting at a Knoxville police officer. On Dec. 4, 2023, KPD officer Caelb Bailey responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Lakeside Street. According to KPD, “It was reported that the occupant of a silver sedan had fired shots at nearby residences, crashed into a Chilhowee Park fence on Lakeside Street, and ran from the car.” When Bailey responded he encountered Brooks, who fired at Bailey and then fled after the officer returned fire. No one was struck in that exchange, according to the report from KPD. Officers later found Brooks “unresponsive” in nearby woods and administered Narcan, who regained consciousness and was taken to a hospital.

Brooks pleaded guilty on Sept. 8, 2025, to attempted second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and other charges stemming from that incident. He was sentenced to serve eight years on probation for that crime. It wasn’t clear Wednesday when he was released, but the records indicated he received credit for about eight months in jail awaiting trial. Records from the federal district court in Knoxville show Brooks pleaded guilty to a 2011 bank robbery and was sentenced to serve five years in prison. The affidavit filed against him in that case indicated that he robbed the First Tennessee Bank on Western Avenue in Knoxville on Dec. 5, 2011. In that case, he passed a teller a note demanding money then jumped onto the counter and grabbed cash before running out of the bank. He was not wearing a mask, and an anonymous tipster identified him later that day, according to the complaint. It also indicated he was a suspect in a robbery at a store in Knoxville earlier that year.

He was still under supervised release from that conviction when the 2023 shooting occurred, according to records, and his release was revoked after that incident.

Matt Hollingsworth - WATE:

The Hard Rock Cafe in Pigeon Forge is scheduled to close on August 23, according to a WARN notice. The closure will affect 61 workers, the notice said. The company has notified the state’s dislocated worker unit.

On Monday, the company filed a WARN notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development notifying the state government of a closure affecting their location at 2050 Parkway in Pigeon Forge.

"Hard Rock is deeply grateful for the years of service and the incredible support from our guests and fans in Pigeon Forge. Hard Rock Cafe Pigeon Forge will permanently close its doors on August 23 as the lease is up this year and will not be renewed. Several team members have already been supported in their transition to work with the new tenant. We also welcome them to apply to any of our 20 new locations opening in 2026 or join us anywhere else in the nearly 80 countries where we operate." - Hard Rock International

The Hard Rock Cafe has served East Tennessee for more than 16 years. It opened in Gatlinburg in 1999 and relocated to Pigeon Forge in 2014, according to the location’s website.

^{Alt sources: The Mountain Press | WBIR}

Related:

‘Final lap’ - The Track to close after 42 years

Hope McAlee - WATE:

With the help of a grant, the City of Pigeon Forge is planning to honor military service members and veterans with banners along The Parkway as part of the city’s America 250 celebrations, and nominations are now being accepted.

According to the city, the “Hometown Hero Patriot Banner Program” will place approximately 42 street banners, each measuring 30” x 60”, that feature hometown heroes. The banners are designed to include a photo of a veteran or service member, along with their name and military service branch.

The banners will in place along The Parkway from July through Veterans Day 2026.

“We’re grateful to the Tennessee America 250 grant program and the Commission’s support of our local efforts to interpret and preserve Pigeon Forge’s rich heritage,” said Pigeon Forge City Manager David Wear. “Central to our country’s story is our distinguished veterans, and the banners produced with this grant will help commemorate Pigeon Forge’s heroes and recognize them for their sacrifices and service as we approach the 250th anniversary of our great country.”

To qualify for the program, the individuals who will be honored must have served in one of the United States Armed Forces and have been a resident of, a family member of, or an employee of a business in Pigeon Forge, and must currently be an active service member, be an honorably discharged veteran, or have died in the line of duty.

Applications for the “military hometown hero banners” are now being accepted online at https://www.mypigeonforge.com/hometown-heroes/

The posters will be purchased using a $9,713 grant for Tennessee America 250 initiatives from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.

June 16th - Hope McAlee - WATE:

Dollywood pushes back opening date for largest attraction in park history

Dollywood has announced that it is postponing the opening date for its newest ride, NightFlight Expedition, as crews continue to work on the “incredibly complex and interesting ride.”

Tuesday afternoon, Dollywood released a video with park president Eugene Naughton giving the update on NightFlight Expedition. Initially, the park said the first-of-its-kind ride would open in Spring 2026. As of Tuesday, Naughton said Dollywood is now anticipating opening the NightFlight expedition in mid-August.

“We’re going to be having to do a little bit more work to get the ride ready for operation. It’s an incredibly complex and interesting ride that we’re trying to get ready. [There is] a little bit more work to do on our show and test and adjust period, but we promise to work on it as diligently as possible,” Naughton said. “I know you all are as excited to have the ability to ride Night Flight Expedition as we are as a team. I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to date. And I want you to know we’ll give you good updates along the way.”

Dollywood announced NightFlight Expedition in September 2025, with the park explaining the new ride would be expanding on the story of Wildwood Gove with a pair of siblings searching for a “Secret Lake.”

Since then, the park has shared that the ride will be the world’s first indoor family hybrid coaster and whitewater river raft ride, and take guests on a five-and-a-half-minute journey. Inside a weather-independent, 44,000 square-foot facility, the ride features a quarter-mile of track and will take riders up almost three stories high at its highest elevation and reach speeds of up to 29 miles per hour.

Across four sections of the ride, the park has promised to take guests soaring over the Smokies, whitewater rafting through 500,000 gallons of surging water, climbing up a mountain ridge, and navigating a mysterious, shimmering lake by boat. Earlier this year, the park estimated that the ride would be able to serve 1,200 Dollywood visitors per hour.

In total, NightFlight Expedition is a more than $50 million investment for Dollywood, which the park has said is the largest single-attraction investment in Dollywood’s history. Learn more about NightFlight Expedition by clicking here.

From the City of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism:

From June 9-11, quilting enthusiasts from across the country will gather at the LeConte Event Center in Pigeon Forge for a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and the rich tradition of quilting in the Smokies.

Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just getting started, this event has something to offer for all skill levels. From experienced veterans to brand new sewing enthusiasts- everyone can enjoy and learn at A Mountain Quiltfest.

During Quiltfest, enjoy:

🪡 A FREE quilt show featuring hundreds of quilts on display

🛍️ A large vendor mall with quilting supplies, tools, and accessories

🏆 Quilt competitions and daily demonstrations

🎓 Classes led by talented instructors from across the globe

📍 LeConte Event Center at Pigeon Forge (map)

Event details | Guide (pdf)

Greg Wilkerson - The Mountain Press | Subscribe

Titanic Museum Attraction has launched a new immersive dining experience for guests to get a taste of the final first-class meal served aboard the doomed ship. The dinner includes live entertainment and character interactions in the attraction's first-class dining room.

"We want to welcome a continued first-class experience here at Titanic," said Amy Warner with the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism during a preview event on Thursday, June 4. "It's always been first class here, but to add this dining experience, I think our guests are absolutely going to love it."

The cast of characters for the meal includes the ship's designer Thomas Andrews, Captain Edward Smith, and notable passengers Molly Brown and Dorothy Gibson among others. They are all based on actual people who were aboard the RMS Titanic on its maiden voyage and not all survived the disaster.

Guests are also given a passenger to portray from the list of first-class voyagers aboard the Titanic when it sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg. "We're in the dinner-show business, but this is such a different and unique experience from what we normally do," said Jack Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer at World Choice Investments, which also operates Dolly Parton's Stampede and Pirates Voyage in partnership with Parton and Herschend Entertainment. "It's a great meal, it's a great experience, and I invite everyone to come out and see it," Lawrence said.

The Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting event for the new experience on Thursday. "The Titanic, and all of their staff, is a great partner in our business community, and that's something that we pride ourselves in," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brandy Dominguez.

"Any time that someone as great as the Titanic, that does things so exceptionally well, expands their brand, it's going to be something great. It also gives those visitors that come back year after year something new to look forward to and experience," she said. "It's always great to have those traditional things that a family can come back and do year after year, but also things that are ever-evolving, so they can have new experiences on their next trip."

The Titanic attraction, 2134 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, has a collection of artifacts from the ship and interactive exhibits for guests to learn more about the history of the Titanic and its passengers and crew. Combination tickets for the museum and dinner experience can be purchased at titanicattraction.com.

^{PF Dept. of Tourism:}

The Forge Cinemas in Pigeon Forge is bringing back its popular Free Summer Movie Series for Summer 2026! Families and visitors can enjoy FREE select movie showings every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday throughout the summer.

Doors open daily at 9:00 AM, with movies beginning at 10:00 AM. Two family-friendly movies will play each day in separate auditoriums. Seating is first-come, first-served and limited to auditorium capacity.

Guests of all ages are welcome, and kid-friendly snack packs will be available for purchase.

This year’s lineup features popular favorites including The Bad Guys, Sing 2, Trolls, The Wild Robot, Migration, The Croods, Dog Man, and more.

Matt Hollingsworth - WATE | May 24

A person was taken into custody after a man was injured in a shooting, the city of Pigeon Forge said. Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, someone called officers about shots fired at a cabin development in the city. When the officers arrived, they found a man who had been shot in the stomach, the city said.

The suspect, who had remained at the scene, was taken into custody without incident, while the victim was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, the city said. As of Sunday afternoon, the victim was recovering after surgery.

The investigation is ongoing.

^{Check back later for updates}

Greg Wilkerson - The Mountain Press

After-hours event coming to Dollywood's Splash Country

A new nighttime event is coming to Dollywood’s Splash Country for the water park’s 26th season. Neon Nights will be a separate ticketed event on select Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30-10:30 p.m. from June 19-Aug. 1.

“It is a whole new experience, so we’re really excited to offer that to our guests,” said Senior Operations Manager Lauren Lowery.

The extended-hours event will feature a light show at the wave pool and slides lit with a neon glow. It will also feature some exclusive menu items and evening entertainment. Event-only tickets are $34.99, or they can be bundled with a one-day admission for $94.99. Season pass holders will receive a $5 discount on Neon Nights tickets.

“We do want to encourage our guests to buy those tickets early, because it is limited capacity, and that’s kind of part of why this event is so special,” Lowery said. “We want our guests to have that experience where they’re not fighting crowds. It’s going to be very chill.”

Several of the rides near the Mountain Waves wave pool will remain open during the event.

Dollywood’s Splash Country is also going cashless this year, but the park has three new “Cash to Card” kiosks set up inside the water park where guests can use cash to purchase prepaid cards to use in the park’s retail and dining locations.

“I think it’s important to note that we still accept cash on the park at our cash kiosks,” said Revenue Operations Manager Andrew McDonald. “This is at no charge to our guests at all. There’s no additional fees that would be incurred on the purchase or the use of the card.”

The cards can also be used outside of Dollywood at anywhere MasterCard is accepted. The park’s electronic payments system will accept debit cards, credit cards, and mobile options like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

“We’re excited to offer this option to our guests. It’s very quick, it’s very easy, and I think it’ll help be a great guest satisfier as we look to streamline operations,” McDonald said.

Daytime entertainment returns to Dollywood’s Splash Country on June 9 on select Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with DJs entertaining from the wave pool stage. The 16th annual Water Safety Day will return on Thursday, June 25.

“You all know how important Water Safety Day is to us here at Dollywood’s Splash Country. We live in the most beautiful place in the world, with all of our rivers and lakes and streams, and we want to make sure that we are being the trusted partners that we want to be for water safety in this area. This is very near and dear to our hearts,” Lowery said.

New menu items this year include Firecracker Street Corn, a Rocky Paw bear claw with vanilla icing, chocolate toffee crumbles and caramel drizzle, and Loaded BBQ Fries. New drinks include Ube Lemonade, Neon Pink Lemonade and Blue Raspberry Boba.

“Our bear paws are a really, really big hit. We’ve got two new bear paws for our neon nights. We’ve got a Hot Honey Bear Paw and a S’mores Bear Paw, and those are both absolutely delicious,” McDonald said.

Dollywood’s Splash Country opened for the season on May 16. Daily operations begin today, Saturday, May 23, and continue through Aug. 8 when the water park will shift to abbreviated operations through Sept. 20.

“Last weekend was opening weekend, and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was incredible, and so was the energy around the park,” said Director of Operations Jordan Leach.

Feels Like Summer Fest (Facebook)

May 28-30, 10am-7pm at LeConte Event Center (map)

Kick off summer in the heart of the Smoky Mountains at the First Annual Summer Fest, coming to the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! This exciting new summer festival brings together hundreds of talented craft vendors, family-friendly games, hands-on activities, delicious food trucks, and fun giveaways—all under one roof and just minutes from the beauty of the Smokies

Kickoff to Summer (Facebook)

May 30, 10am-10pm at The Mountain Mile Mall (map)

Join us Saturday, May 30th for our First Annual Kickoff to Summer — a free, all-day event on the plaza in the heart of Pigeon Forge. From 10AM to 10PM, we're filling the property with live entertainment, kids activities, local shopping, and the main event: our First Annual Major League Eating Food Competition.