new dollywood attractions sure to impress

 By Kimberly Hood

It was going to take more than a cold, rainy day to keep season pass holders from flocking to Dollywood in hopes of catching a glimpse of Dolly Parton herself on opening day.

By 10:30 a.m. the parking lots were full, and guests who didn't already have their season passes in hand were cued in lines that stretched around the building.

Parton didn't disappoint, making appearances at various shows over the course of the day to discuss upcoming Dollywood attractions.

Her first appearance followed the premier of Imaginé, the most heralded of the 2009 Festival of Nations acts.

"The unimaginable becomes spellbinding reality as a cast of premier international acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, clowns and high wire artists amaze audiences with their athletic ability, lavish costumes and breathtaking feats," claimed Dollywood's preseason hype, and Imaginé certainly delivered on its promise.

Imaginé, presented by the Le Grand Cirque, seemingly defies gravity, the limits of the human body, and well, common sense. The stunts performed by the acrobats will not only leave you in awe, but also wondering how any human ever conceived of the idea, let alone mustered up the courage to try it. For instance, riding a unicycle on a giant sphere while jumping rope just doesn't exactly seem like a rational goal, but somehow, Le Grand Cirque achieved that goal - and then some.

The show presents feats that are simply unbelievable, with each act becoming increasingly impressive. It's certainly a crowd pleaser, suitable for all ages, and a must-see for circus buffs. But be forewarned: after this show, you will never enter a talent show again for fear of running up against one of these guys.

After the premier of Imaginé, Parton thanked the season ticket holders for their support and discussed other new Dollywood attractions for the 2009 season.

The other major stage production for this season, Sha-Kon-O-Hey, is set to open on May 9, and will feature eight newly released songs by Parton. The musical is a tribute to the history of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is celebrating its 75^th anniversary.

Parton also told of the new attractions in honor of KidsFest which will run June 12 - August 2, 2009. The headlining attractions are Journey to the Center of the Earth 4D and Creature Adventures starring the Kratt Brothers of the popular PBS Zoboomafoo series.

In addition to this year's Dollywood events, Parton also told her fans about the upcoming Broadway premier of 9 to 5 which is slated to open at the end of the month, and her children's book, I'm a Rainbow, hitting the shelves on May 14.

Regular Dollywood day passes increased $2 this year to $53.50, and season passes are $77 until April 26.

For more information on attractions or to view a schedule of show times, visit www.dollywood.com.