Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival, presented by Covenant Health, is once again delivering a sensory overload, with a side of ribs. The beloved theme park in the heart of the Smokies kicked off its fifth annual festival on April 19, offering guests the chance to dine their way through spring. "This is our 5th year of this festival and it really gives folks a great reason to come out, enjoy Dollywood, but really take advantage of this great spring time weather," said Wes Ramey of Dollywood in an interview with WVLT.
The festival features over a million blooms and guests can nibble on everything from paninis to honey BBQ ribs while surrounded by whimsical butterfly umbrellas and woodland creatures – all part of the elaborate floral installations that are a hallmark of the event. A stand-out has already been identified as the Mosaiculture sculpture of Dolly's mom sewing the Coat of Many Colors, celebrating the icon's upbringing and heritage. According to a post on ThemeParksByDon.com, visitors are promised captivating picture opportunities that blossom alongside the carefully curated flora.
Not just a feast for the eyes, the food at the Dollywood festival is curated to reflect the freshness of the season, with a focus on local products and Smoky Mountain-inspired flavors. The tasting pass, a hot ticket item for $39.99 ($36.99 for passholders), lets guests sample five different food offerings scattered throughout the park. On the menu this year: savory items like honey garlic chicken skillet and garlic shrimp mac & cheese, and sweet treats such as flower-themed cookies and cupcakes. "They put a lot of extra effort into. With that tasting pass you can go around and sample a lot of spring time flavors," Ramey touted to WVLT.
"Spring in the Smokies is one of my favorite times of year," Dolly Parton said, celebrating the seasonal transformation at her namesake park. "Our people work hard to make the park as beautiful as the natural beauty you can see throughout the hills around us," she shared with YES! Weekly. It's not just about Dolly's mom towering at 15 feet, say organizers, as the flower and food festival evolves its displays as new blooms come to life each week.
Held until early June, the festival is a testament to Dollywood's ongoing efforts to blend cultural experiences with the natural beauty and culinary offerings of the region. Those aching for a taste of spring in East Tennessee might just find the ticket with a trip down to Dollywood's Flower & Food Festival – where the petals and the ribs are equally tender.
