Dolly Parton ensured that her memory would live on through a number of endeavors during her lifetime, and one of them was her beloved Dollywood.
That’s why the theme park confirmed that it would remain open following her death at the age of 80 on Tuesday (Aug. 25), announcing in a statement on its website that carrying on with operations is exactly what the legendary singer-songwriter had wanted. “With heavy hearts, the Dollywood family mourns the passing of our beloved Dreamer-in-Chief, Dolly Parton,” the message began. “Everyone at Dollywood shares the sorrow of countless people around the world touched by Dolly’s warmth, wisdom and generous spirit.
“Dolly’s heartfelt wish was that Dollywood 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,” it continued. “Dolly’s enduring legacy extends beyond her music and generosity to her remarkable work ethic — an inspiration to people everywhere.
“In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle — ‘the show must go on,’” the statement added. “Together, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope.”
Parton passed away Tuesday after a brief cancer battle. As previously scheduled, Dollywood had been closed on Tuesday, meaning Wednesday (Aug. 26) is the first day the park greeted guests since the loss of Parton.
“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” said the park’s president, Eugene Naughton, in a statement. “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.”
The 10-time Grammy winner founded Dollywood in 1986, when she became co-owner of the property previously known as Rebel Railroad located in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, where Parton grew up. The park has blossomed into a booming business, allowing the star to contribute indelibly to the local economy and fuel philanthropic projects such as her Imagination Library and Grow U Program, which offers 100% tuition coverage for Dollywood employees.
“As the Scripture says, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” Parton told Billboard in her 2020 cover story, which focused in part on her efforts to keep Dollywood on its feet in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “So I look at my life with that every day and think that God expects it of me. I expect it of myself, and I think people expect it of me. If I can be an inspiration, then I want to be that. That makes me feel good.”
Parton has made frequent visits to the park over the years, including its 40th anniversary celebration in March 2025, which took place less than two weeks after the death of her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean. She was scheduled to appear at Dollywood a couple of weeks prior to her death to support the opening of its new NightFlight Expedition ride, but canceled due to then-unspecified health issues.
Still, Parton was her usual chipper self in a video that played on site. “My Nashville doctor has kinda clipped my wings, saying, ‘You ain’t traveling this week,’” she explained to park-goers at the ride’s Aug. 14 opening. “So I guess, if your doctor tells you, ‘you ain’t traveling this week,’ you ain’t traveling this week.”
