Dolly Parton´s Homecoming Parade in Pigeon Forge Shifts to May 8

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — The Dolly Parton Homecoming Parade, a rite of spring in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has a new date—May 8, 2009 (Friday). This is the event´s 24th year.

The parade, sponsored and organized by the City of Pigeon Forge, shifted from late March to early May to take advantage of longer days and warmer weather.

It honors entertainment superstar Dolly Parton and has special meaning this year because Parton is the official ambassador of the 75h anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The park, the most visited of all the national parks, is Pigeon Forge´s next-door neighbor, and the parade is one of six Pigeon Forge special events and festivals on the anniversary´s official events calendar.

The parade starts at 6 p.m. Spectators are expected to line the complete parade route, more than two miles along the Parkway in the middle of Pigeon Forge from Traffic Lights 3 through 6.

Parton, of course, is the grand marshal. She is tied to the local tourism economy because of Dollywood, the theme park that is Tennessee´s most popular ticketed attraction.

Details of Parton´s float are a tightly held secret, a tradition throughout the parade´s history.

The parade will feature a variety of floats representing Pigeon Forge theaters, car clubs, equestrian clubs, cheerleading teams, twirlers and high school marching bands. A mainstay participant is the band from Sevier County High School, Parton´s alma mater.

Complete information about Pigeon Forge is available online at www.MyPigeonForge.com or by calling toll-free to 1-800-251-9100.

(Writer Adkinson, a frequent parade spectator, helps Pigeon Forge with its tourism efforts.)