Dolly Has Another ‘Backwoods Barbie-Q’ on Her Plate

After drawing a $75,000 winning bid for the chance to share a Backwoods Barbie-Q and home-cooked breakfast with her last year, superstar Dolly Parton is once again offering a lucky bidder the chance to experience this unique event, all to benefit the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation. The foundation's annual Evening of Elegance fundraiser takes place on Aug. 14, 2010, at 6:00 PM at Mills Auditorium in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

"I never in my wildest dreams imagined anybody paying $75,000 to eat supper with me," says Dolly. "Due to the generosity of some real fine folks, we raised a lot of money for the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, which is very near and dear to my heart. So I'm offering up my Backwoods Barbie-Q II this year with hopes that we can raise a lot more money to help improve healthcare in Sevier County."

The winning bidder and a guest will arrive at 5 p.m. at Dolly's Tennessee Mountain Home, her Sevierville home immortalized in the song of the same title. That evening, the winner can invite an additional 10 guests for a private tour of Dolly's residence followed by a barbeque on the grounds with bluegrass entertainment, all hosted by the iconic entertainer. The winner and a guest will also get to spend the night in Dolly's guest cottage, which is located next door to the Tennessee Mountain Home.

At 9 a.m. the following morning, Dolly will prepare and serve a country-style breakfast to the winner and a guest. The event will mark only the second time in history that Dolly has offered such access to her private residence.

Tabitha Hall and Sabrina Taylor, last year's winning bidders, agree that the Backwoods Barbie-Q was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. "It was beyond incredible," says Tabitha. "To see Dolly's Tennessee Mountain Home through her eyes was beyond my expectations." "We pushed our plates back, sat on the lawn and swapped stories with one of the best storytellers in the world," adds Sabrina. "The Backwoods Barbie-Q was a moment in time that we'll never forget!'

Dolly Parton, one of the many babies delivered by Dr. Robert F. Thomas, is the foundation's honorary chairperson. The singer's 1973 album, 'My Tennessee Mountain Home' includes a song Dolly wrote called 'Dr. Robert F. Thomas.' Established in 1983, the not-for-profit foundation continues the legacy of the man who arrived in Sevier County in 1926 to serve in the dual role of minister and family physician.

The foundation's mission is to help expand the range and quality of health care services available in Sevier County, and to raise funds for a medical center which opened earlier this year. Tickets for the Evening of Elegance event are $200 per person and may be purchased by contacting Amy Kingery, Development Specialist, at (865) 446-9628. For more information, click here.