Under the warm golden sun of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly Parton stood at the heart of Dollywood — her eyes glimmering, her smile as bright as ever — as she unveiled what she called “one of the most personal gifts I’ve ever given back to the place that raised me.”
She called it The Dream Garden.
And in true Dolly fashion, it wasn’t just a ribbon-cutting — it was a full-blown celebration.
Hundreds of fans, reporters, and locals gathered in Pigeon Forge to witness the country legend open this brand-new attraction — a vibrant, living tribute to imagination, faith, and the beauty of never giving up on your dreams.
As Dolly took the stage in a shimmering pastel suit adorned with soft sequins that caught the sunlight, she laughed, “I guess y’all could say I’ve been planting seeds my whole life — songs, smiles, and maybe a little bit of mischief too.”
The crowd erupted in applause.
“A Place Where Dreams Can Bloom”
The Dream Garden, nestled inside Dollywood’s scenic grounds, stretches across nearly three acres of blooming flowers, winding streams, musical sculptures, and art installations inspired by Dolly’s songs and life story.
Each corner tells a chapter of her journey — from a young girl in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, with a homemade guitar, to a global icon whose words and melodies have touched millions.
At the entrance stands a heart-shaped arch made entirely of intertwined roses and magnolias. Just beyond it, visitors step into what Dolly calls the Path of Dreams — a walkway lined with plaques engraved with quotes from her songs and her famous sayings, like:
“Find out who you are, and do it on purpose.”
“Storms make trees take deeper roots.”
“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
Every few steps, speakers hidden among the flowers play soft instrumental versions of her biggest hits — Coat of Many Colors, 9 to 5, Jolene, and Light of a Clear Blue Morning.
“It’s like the flowers are singing,” said one visitor, tears in her eyes. “You can feel Dolly’s spirit in every petal.”
A Garden With a Message
But The Dream Garden is more than beauty — it’s purpose.
Dolly explained that part of the garden’s proceeds will go toward the Imagination Library, her nonprofit program that has given over 230 million free books to children around the world.
“When I was a little girl, we didn’t have books at home,” she told the crowd. “But Mama always told me stories, and I dreamed of a world where every child could open a book and see themselves in it. This garden is a reminder that dreams — whether they’re made of paper or petals — need tending.”
The announcement drew cheers, applause, and even a few tears from parents in the audience who had benefited from the program.
Dolly’s Family and Friends Gather
The event drew familiar faces from the country world, including Reba McEntire, who joked, “Trust Dolly to turn a garden opening into a spiritual experience,” and Garth Brooks, who called her “the heart of Tennessee.”
Local schoolchildren, many wearing butterfly wings — a nod to Dolly’s beloved song Love Is Like a Butterfly — joined her in singing “Try,” a tune about resilience and hope.
As the final notes rang out, Dolly smiled and wiped a tear. “These kids remind me why I do what I do. If a flower can bloom in the Smokies, so can a dream.”
A Garden That Sings
Each section of The Dream Garden is themed around one of Dolly’s signature songs.
The Jolene Rose Walk features fiery orange blooms and a string quartet cover of the classic tune. The 9 to 5 Fountain playfully bubbles in rhythm with the beat of her working-woman anthem. The Light of a Clear Blue Morning Grove offers a quiet, reflective space surrounded by lilacs and whispering wind chimes.
“It’s magical,” said designer Paul Bentley, who collaborated with Dolly on the project. “We didn’t just build a garden — we built an experience. Every sound, every scent, every color tells a part of her story.”
From the Smokies to the World
For Dolly, this project is deeply personal. She spoke openly about her roots, growing up one of twelve children in a one-room cabin in Sevier County, where her love for nature and imagination began.
“I used to sit out in the woods, sing to the trees, and pretend they were my audience,” she said with a laugh. “I guess in a way, I’ve come full circle — now I get to sing with the trees again.”
Her humility struck everyone in attendance. Even at 79, Dolly’s warmth feels as genuine as ever — no stage lights required.
“She’s not just an artist,” said Dollywood employee Hannah Tucker. “She’s our neighbor, our hero, and our homegrown fairy godmother.”
Fans Travel from Afar
Visitors from across the country — and even from as far as Japan and Australia — came to witness the unveiling. Some camped overnight to get a front-row spot.
“I grew up on her music,” said one fan holding a handmade butterfly flag. “Dolly’s songs carried me through my hardest days. Being here feels like standing inside her heart.”
The crowd sang along when Dolly performed “Coat of Many Colors,” accompanied by a local children’s choir. Her voice, though softer than in her early years, still shimmered with that unmistakable magic — that blend of strength and tenderness that has defined her for decades.
An Emotional Moment
Toward the end of the ceremony, Dolly led a short dedication. She held a small golden watering can and poured the first water onto a newly planted magnolia tree at the center of the garden.
“This tree,” she said, “is for dreamers everywhere — the ones who’ve made it, the ones still trying, and the ones who just need to be reminded that they’re not alone.”
The crowd fell silent, and for a moment, it felt like the whole mountain held its breath.
Then, as if on cue, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees — and Dolly smiled. “See?” she laughed. “Even the wind’s saying amen.”
A Legacy That Keeps Growing
As the festivities wrapped up, Dolly greeted fans, took photos, and signed autographs. Children handed her bouquets of wildflowers, and she hugged each one like family.
“She treats every person like they’re the only one in the world,” said local reporter Jenny Collins. “That’s the real magic of Dolly Parton — she doesn’t just perform love, she is love.”
The Dream Garden officially opens to the public this weekend, and Dollywood expects record attendance through the fall season.
But for Dolly, it’s not about numbers. “I just want people to leave here feeling lighter,” she said. “If they find a little hope, a little peace, or just a song stuck in their head — then that’s enough for me.”
Looking Ahead
Even at nearly eight decades young, Dolly shows no signs of slowing down. She’s releasing a children’s poetry book next spring and hinted at a “surprise project” tied to her upcoming 80th birthday.
“I’ve still got a few tricks up my rhinestone sleeves,” she teased with a wink. “Dreams don’t retire — they just sparkle a little differently.”
As twilight fell over Dollywood, lights began to glow along the garden paths. Families lingered, listening to Dolly’s voice echo through the trees — soft, sweet, timeless.
And standing there, beneath the mountains that raised her, Dolly Parton proved once again that the truest beauty doesn’t fade with fame or time — it grows, like the flowers she planted, rooted in kindness and love.
“Dreams,” she said before leaving the stage, “are like gardens. They need patience, sunlight, and a little bit of faith. But if you care for them — oh, honey, they’ll bloom forever.”
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