Country music star Dolly Parton has her own theme park at Dollywood.  

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — It was as if Dolly Parton herself knew that my siblings and I had finally made the pilgrimage to Dollywood in early December.


As we crawled into our hotel beds during our first night in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., we flipped on the TV to find Dolly herself appearing in “A Smoky Mountain Christmas,” which shares the same name as her 18th annual event at Dollywood. It was a sign.


It was a first trip to Dollywood for our little group, even though we had been lifelong fans of Dolly. We had thought for years to make the trek to the park.


With all of the water rides the park offers (a $5 million River Battle Ride is set to open in 2008), it makes a great summer getaway. But the park offers so much to do during the Christmas season, we couldn’t resist a holiday soiree in the Smokies.


Known first as Goldrush when it opened its doors in 1976 and later renamed Silver Dollar City, Tenn., the amusement park was finally called Dollywood in 1986 when the Herschend Family approached the country music legend, according to information provided by Dollywood.


Since then, Dollywood has embraced the same attitude of Parton herself — life should be enjoyed with your family.