by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
Acclaimed by guests and top media outlets nationwide as “The Most Fun Place to Eat in the Smokies,” Dolly’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. is one of the area’s longest running grand scale production shows, featuring breathtaking set design, dazzling costumes, a gorgeous, high energy cast of horses, remarkable athletes, and a delectable, hearty feast which is sure to enhance your Stampede experience and satisfy all of your cravings.
Owned and operated by the legendary, country music icon, Dolly Parton, and her visionary team, Dolly’s Stampede has entertained legions of fans from around the globe with its distinctive and highly unique blend of showmanship, rodeo-style high jumps and stunts, acrobatics, toe tapping music, hilarious comedy, and even a dash of magic.
The Stampede is adorned with lights which make the entire Parkway glow with stunning hues of red, gold, and green. Arguably one of the most festive, feel good holiday shows in town, Dolly’s Stampede offers two hours of high quality, high octane, and high energy entertainment which is sure to excite and delight the entire family.
The scrumptious feast, which is served in courses at various portions of your dining experience, includes your choice of unlimited sweet or unsweetened tea and a variety of sodas to drink followed by the below delicious menu line up:
The menu includes: Freshly baked homemade biscuit, world famous creamy vegetable soup, a succulent whole roasted chicken, seasoned potato slice, a lean cut of pork tenderloin, juicy corn on the cob, and a flaky, warm apple fritter for dessert.
A few of the myriad of stand out moments in this action packed extravaganza included one of the fierce, feisty performers jumping through a hoop of fire with her brave, noble steed, the “Run of the Horses,” where all performers present and introduce themselves to the audience (who are carefully divided into North and South sides…or, in the Christmas show, North Pole and South Pole) and a tremendous act featuring gravity defying stunts by a supremely talented acrobatic couple.
This romping, rousing, variety show spectacular features, in addition to bevies of some of the most beautiful horses you’ll ever see, a variety of other animals including beam-balancing canines, racing pigs, and an interactive portion of the show, a “Chicken Run” where children and tots are selected from the audience to compete in a “fowl filled” race against the clock.
The emcee, Jay Teeter, who steals the spotlight with his deep, smooth, classic country vocals and palpable charm, has been wowing crowds with his consummate professionalism and showmanship for over 25 years. Teeter, who often jokes that “The only person who has been with The Stampede longer than me is Dolly Parton,” shows off his vocal chops during several musical production numbers throughout the show and is joined by the wacky and hilariously irreverent, Skeeter, who serves as the resident “goofball,” and comic relief of the show.
A pivotal, inexplicably mind blowing, and crowd pleasing portion of the show features a volunteer named Lucy, who was plucked from the audience, placed in a barrel behind a wagon and magically “disappears” then “reappears” right before the audience’s eyes.
Special thanks to the incredible Ellen Liston from the marketing team for arranging our visit for this spotlight feature and to the wonderful Emcee, Jay Teeter, for taking time to chat with us on Backstage Pass on IHeart Radio. You can check out my interview with Jay by searching Backstage Pass with Victoria on iheartradio.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
WEBSITE: https://dpstampede.com/pigeon-forge
PHONE NUMBER: (865) 453-4400
