Dolly Parton Takes Flood Relief Effort to Dollywood

Before Nashville resident Dolly Parton made Music City her home more than four decades ago, she cherished her "Tennessee Mountain Home." Now the iconic entertainer has announced plans to bring those two worlds together all in name of flood relief.

The superstar has officially announced Dolly Helps Nashville, a fundraising weekend set for May 22 and 23, with net admission proceeds from her Dollywood and Dixie Stampede properties in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. earmarked for Music City flood relief efforts. Dolly will be on hand for the special weekend, making several special appearances and greeting guests at various theaters and locations throughout Dollywood and at Dixie Stampede.

"I grew up in the Smokies in East Tennessee, which was my first home. I moved to Nashville 46 years ago and that is my home now," Dolly says in a statement. "I have family and friends in both places, and when one place hurts; I think it is just right for the other to help. On May 22 and 23, I'm having my Dollywood and Dixie Stampede companies help me host my Dolly Helps Nashville weekend."

Dolly says the fundraising effort is "especially going to concentrate on those folks who lost their homes and personal possessions in this terrible flood."

She adds that because so many visitors from Nashville vacation in the Smoky Mountain and over the last 25 years, have helped Dollywood, Dixie Stampede and Dollywood's Splash Country and the entire vacation area grow,"it's our turn to help."

Dolly also calls on other East Tennessee businesses and attractions in Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Gatlinburg to join in the effort, and asks her fans to help.

"I want all of my fans worldwide to come to Dollywood the weekend of May 22 and 23. If you can't be there in person, then I hope you'll donate to flood victims through the Dollywood Foundation online."