The Dollywood Stampede

Saturday’s plan was a tad up in the air, though we had compiled a list of possibilities for perusal over breakfast, but everything was pretty much scrubbed.   I had noticed some blotchy skin on Clem’s nose on Friday, and he had noticed a bump on his cheek, and had started scratching his ear, and it erupted on Saturday, along with some additional spots, and the blisters seemed indicative of poison ivy or other vegetation, which he must have contacted on our walk at Natural Bridge.  First ant bites for me, then poison ivy for him!  All this communing with nature can be dangerous!  

I instructed him on all the home remedies, and put some laundry in, but as his face began to swell, I thought maybe we should seek professional assistance.  He said he would be ok, but maybe we should just get some things done around the “house”.  We had tickets to the Dolly Stampede Dinner Show, and needed to be there by 4:30, and I had a book to finish while the laundry ran, and it was really hot outside, so it seemed like a fine idea.  We had been on the move for several days anyway, and had booked enough time here to relax a bit, so it was no problem.  Except of course, that he was not feeling tip top.  Thankfully, no adverse reaction other than the swelling.....not even much itching, surprisingly, but just feeling a bit punk.  

So we set out for Pigeon Forge around 3:45, figuring that would give us plenty of time to find our way, get parked, and pick up tickets at will call, before the pre dinner show at the saloon at 5.  Wrong!  Traffic was heavy even along the less traveled road, and I was getting nervous that we would not even make it there by the recommended time!  We just made it, collected our tickets, and even had a go at the gift shop before show time, so it all worked out.  The gift shop is playing Dolly tunes and filled with cowboy things, and as always when I see the hats, I wonder if I don’t need one.  But again, I tried them on and left without one!  A couple of holstered six shooters were kind of  calling my name, too.......suppose it was something in a previous life? 

Clem's face at show time....one ear swollen!

Cute little greeter at the entrance

We had debated the show while planning this trip, thinking it might be just too hokey, but had asked friends who had gone, and they said it was worth it, and it really was.  The show was kind of Hollywood meets the rodeo, but very well done, and quite a spectacle, and the food was actually very good!  With the possible exception that there were no utensils, we did enjoy it.  It was amazing to see how efficiently the waiters,  placed all around the huge arena, which Clem estimated (of course) seated around 2500, delivered hot food to everyone.  

We entered here for a pre dinner show

We decided to sit upstairs, and then enter the arena from the second floor, and had a great view down on the performers. 

All three were accomplished entertainers, but the banjo player was 4 time national champion, and Dolly's accompaniment, band leader,  and producer for many years.  

The arena when we entered, and before it all began! The blue uniforms are two of the waiters, greeting people. 

Each waiter was assigned an area, and they walked down the long line, first with a pitcher  of really tasty soup which they poured into a bowl with a handle for sipping.  Then they came with huge trays under one arm, dishing first an entire, albeit small, chicken on each plate!  I was shocked! It had a very tasty spicy rub, and once I got over the fact that I had to tear it apart with my fingers to eat it, I did enjoy it.    Our waitress had a comment with each drop, there you go sir, enjoy it m’am! She appeared over and over again with the big tray, dropping first a roasted potato half, a slice of pork, (like a pork chop without the bone, m’am), and a half cob of corn.  A ton of food!  Surprisingly, she showed up later and offered a doggie bag.  

The sides were introduced, and the two sides of the arena coached on the cheer .

We were amazed when bison came running out!

and long horn steers!  No roping, just herded around the arena to view.  Not a rodeo per se, which was good  in my mind.

The wagons were pretty neat, and they even did a pig race.  

All the while, the show went on, with costumed riders in red and blue, and riding contests between the sides, with the audience divided  and encouraged to cheer each side on.  All pretty fun, and a nice ending about how we are not really divided, but actually all one, the United States.  Huge cheers from the audience on that note......wouldn’t it be nice if that thought could be carried away from the arena.  

For this segment, the riders suits lit up.

Dolly has a great library program, and the kids they used from the audience for participation were each given medals and books, saying millions had now been donated.  The woman is truly amazing.  Coming from nothing, and creating these mega 

productions, which blossomed into an entire town of the same....very impressive.  It has just been announced that there will be a multi million dollar expansion to Dollywood.  We decided to pass on the park, though it does not appear hokey at all from the entrance, and is actually quite attractive , with a simple sign in pretty script, and beds of colorful flowers, and no glitz.  Just doesn’t seem like it would be of interest to us.  

On the way back from the show, we stopped at the Sevierville Court House to see the Dolly Parton statue.  

very pretty building with gold dome