Dolly Parton is changing the name of her Dixie Stampede attraction in response to changing cultural attitudes.
Parton
and World Choice Investments, LLC revealed that the popular dinner show
attraction will change its name to Dolly Parton’s Stampede for the 2018
season in a press release on Monday (Jan. 8).
and World Choice Investments, LLC revealed that the popular dinner show
attraction will change its name to Dolly Parton’s Stampede for the 2018
season in a press release on Monday (Jan. 8).
“Our
shows currently are identified by where they are located,” the release
explains. “Some examples are Smoky Mountain Adventures or Dixie
Stampede. We also recognize that attitudes change and feel that by
streamlining the names of our shows, it will remove any confusion or
concerns about our shows and will help our efforts to expand into new
cities.”
shows currently are identified by where they are located,” the release
explains. “Some examples are Smoky Mountain Adventures or Dixie
Stampede. We also recognize that attitudes change and feel that by
streamlining the names of our shows, it will remove any confusion or
concerns about our shows and will help our efforts to expand into new
cities.”
World Choice Investments operates
several Stampede dinner shows for Parton and her companies, including
locations in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Branson, Mo., and Myrtle Beach,
S.C.
several Stampede dinner shows for Parton and her companies, including
locations in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Branson, Mo., and Myrtle Beach,
S.C.
“There is interest in several parts of the
United States
and internationally to host one of our unique dinner
attraction shows,” World Choice Investments CEO Jim Rule says. “We
provide spectacular family entertainment at a great value. We
continually listen to our guests and our desire to expand coupled with
our desire to stay relevant in today’s changing world led us to simplify
our shows’ names.”
United States
and internationally to host one of our unique dinner
attraction shows,” World Choice Investments CEO Jim Rule says. “We
provide spectacular family entertainment at a great value. We
continually listen to our guests and our desire to expand coupled with
our desire to stay relevant in today’s changing world led us to simplify
our shows’ names.”
KnoxNews.com reports that Slate writer Aisha Harris criticized the Dixie Stampede show in a brutal review
in August 2017. In an article titled ‘Springtime for the Confederacy,’
she called it “a lily-white kitsch extravaganza that play-acts the Civil
War but never once mentions slavery. Instead, it romanticizes the old
South, with generous portions of both corn on the cob and Southern
belles festooned in Christmas lights.”
in August 2017. In an article titled ‘Springtime for the Confederacy,’
she called it “a lily-white kitsch extravaganza that play-acts the Civil
War but never once mentions slavery. Instead, it romanticizes the old
South, with generous portions of both corn on the cob and Southern
belles festooned in Christmas lights.”
Dollywood
Director of Media and Public Relations Pete Owens emailed a statement
to Slate in response to Harris’ criticism, saying, “Throughout Dixie
Stampede’s 30 years of providing family entertainment, we strive to
constantly improve the guest experience at our shows. Through that
process, we survey our guests at every show. Accordingly, we will
evaluate the information provided by Ms. Harris in her Slate.com article
in regard to our Pigeon Forge and Branson operations.”
Director of Media and Public Relations Pete Owens emailed a statement
to Slate in response to Harris’ criticism, saying, “Throughout Dixie
Stampede’s 30 years of providing family entertainment, we strive to
constantly improve the guest experience at our shows. Through that
process, we survey our guests at every show. Accordingly, we will
evaluate the information provided by Ms. Harris in her Slate.com article
in regard to our Pigeon Forge and Branson operations.”
The
2018 season will usher in some changes in the content of the show,
according to Owens, but the specifics have not been released yet.
2018 season will usher in some changes in the content of the show,
according to Owens, but the specifics have not been released yet.
“We
evaluate the show at the end of every season and update and make
changes. We are changing show content again this year and have some new
additions,” Owens says.
evaluate the show at the end of every season and update and make
changes. We are changing show content again this year and have some new
additions,” Owens says.
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett tells KnoxNews.com that he’s disappointed in the name change from Dixie Stampede.
“Well,
like everybody else, I love Dolly, and I love all that she’s done for
our community, which is her community, and I’m disappointed that they’re
yielding to political correctness,” Burchett says. “What’s next? Are we
going to change the name of Dixie cups and the Dixie sugar company? You
know, I just hope they don’t change their Christmas program.”
like everybody else, I love Dolly, and I love all that she’s done for
our community, which is her community, and I’m disappointed that they’re
yielding to political correctness,” Burchett says. “What’s next? Are we
going to change the name of Dixie cups and the Dixie sugar company? You
know, I just hope they don’t change their Christmas program.”
