Dolly Parton Announces Opening of 4th Dixie Stampede in Orlando, Fla.

Business & Entertainment Editors

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2000

Dolly Parton announced today that her Dolly Parton Productions company plans to build the fourth Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show entertainment venue in the heart of the Orlando vacation market on a parcel of land located on Interstate 4 between the Universal Studios development and the Walt Disney World complex.

The Orlando Dixie Stampede is slated to open in 2001 and represents a $20 million investment, if the county Board of Commissioners grants approval for the project.

"Central Florida and the Orlando area are the biggest family destinations in the world," Dolly said, "and since my Dixie Stampede is full of wholesome, family-fun entertainment, it just seems like the perfect fit."

Dolly also felt that the Orlando area was an ideal place for her to expand the entertainment attractions she operates because of the area's large international visitor base, as Dolly's popularity throughout the world continues to thrive and grow.

"I am fortunate to have lots of international fans as well as folks from America," Dolly said. "My Dixie Stampede partners and I look forward to developing this world-class entertainment and dining attraction which will appeal to everyone who visits the Orlando area."

The Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show will be the largest equestrian production in Orlando, featuring 32 majestic horses from Quarter horses to Belgian draft horses, riders and entertainers in a 100,000- square-foot facility. From trick riding, roping, jumping, and wagon racing, the dinner attraction combines an array of equestrian feats and competitions and a friendly North and South rivalry with a delicious four-course feast for nearly two hours of non-stop dining and entertainment that the whole family will enjoy. Dramatic demonstrations of horsemanship include the popular Roman Ride, the Ring of Fire, the Liberty Stance, and the Cavalry Charge, which features riders with swords who attempt to spear 3-inch metal rings hanging from a pole. All the while, the audience is involved in the competition through their support of their "team," either the North side or the South side. There is also comedy to lighten the mood, and the Dixie Stampede show incorporates the elegance of the 1850's with dramatic costuming reminiscent of the film "Gone With The Wind" and finishes with a rousing patriotic finale that brings the audience to its feet.

The feast that's part of a Dixie Stampede evening is reason enough to go to the show. It all starts with Dixie's special recipe creamy vegetable soup, followed by a whole rotisserie chicken, hickory smoked barbecued pork loin, hot buttered corn on the cob, a herb-basted potato, homemade Dixie bread, and Dixie's very own specialty dessert surprise.

"I have produced several great entertainment attractions for family vacationers over the past 15 years: there's my Dollywood theme park with lots of shows, rides and attractions, and I just announced that I'm building a $20 million water park (in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.) to open in May 2001 near Dollywood. And of course, my Dixie Stampedes are in Branson, Mo., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Now, I'm thrilled to be bringing our first-rate Dixie Stampede show to Orlando and feel that this entertainment attraction will be one that the folks of Orlando can boast about and be proud of."

In addition to opening the fourth Dixie Stampede, Dolly also announced yesterday that she and her Dixie Stampede partners are contributing $7 million to help fund the expansion of her Imagination Library across the United States. This innovative educational program distributes a book every month to children from birth until they reach kindergarten in Dolly's native Sevier County, Tenn., and in several other communities throughout the country. And with this support from the Dixie Stampede, the Imagination Library can be further expanded nationally with partners all over this country and internationally. Currently, Dolly and her non-profit Dollywood Foundation, which oversees the program, are looking for sponsors and partners in communities throughout the U.S. and worldwide that would like to initiate the Imagination Library in their towns.

According to Ted Miller of Dolly Parton Productions, "These are only two of many business and creative ventures that Dolly is involved in for the new millennium. Just in the first six months of this year, she's busy writing music for various projects, and she's planning and working on movie projects for both television and the big screen. Dolly also is involved in the plans for the opening of her Dollywood theme park's 15th season in mid-April," Miller said. "There just seems to be no end to her creative energy!"

For more information on the opening of the new Dixie Stampede attraction in Orlando, contact Ted Miller at Dolly Parton Productions; for more information regarding the Imagination Library program's expansion, contact David Dotson at the Dollywood Foundation. The address for both Dolly Parton Productions and the Dollywood Foundation is 1020 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., 37863-4101, 865/428-9606.