‘In love with our love’ | Dolly Parton talks park changes, death of husband with WVLT’s Kyle Grainger

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Friday, Dolly Parton returned home to open Dollywood’s 40th season.

Parton teamed up with the Herschend family and redeveloped Silver Dollar City into Dollywood in 1985.

Dollywood is the largest ticketed attraction in Tennessee and the biggest job provider in Sevier County.

She told WVLT’s Kyle Grainger she had no idea the park would become this popular.

“It is exciting,” Parton said. “And I am excited to come back and kick it off with the press and everything. We’re going to come back in May and do a big celebration. But I can’t believe it’s been 40 years. It’s just seems 10 or 15 at the most.”

During that time, Dollywood grew and now draws in more than 3.5 million people a year.

Parton said that success is due to the people working behind the scenes.

“Dolly appreciates them helping her out. It’s a give and take kind of thing cause all the fans have made it great. And the local people have been so supportive. We try to provide jobs for not only for the community, but my family and friends.”

One of the top things any Dollywood fan wants from Dolly’s annual address is news about new rides and attractions coming to the park.

“Well, we hope to keep growing every year,” Parton said. “And I think Dollywood will last long after I’m not here but I’ll always be here in spirit and they’ll always be reminded of me in so many things.”

Parton also touched on the support she’s received from fans after the death of her husband, Carl Dean.

“Yes I absolutely do I had no idea that so many people were in love with our love, with our love story, but it is a heartbreaker no doubt, I’ll always deal with waves coming in and out, but at least I had my work, and Carl would expect that, that’s all I’ve ever done, But thanks to everybody for their concern.”