Dolly’s New Lumberjack Adventure Celebrates the Spirit of the Appalachian People
Dolly Parton’s newest venture in Pigeon Forge, Lumberjack Adventure Dinner & Show, celebrated its grand opening on Friday, May 20, 2016 and HeySmokies was there to see Dolly, adorably dressed in buffalo plaid, as she welcomed the packed theater for the VIP premier. Dolly’s New Lumberjack Adventure is billed as a Fun Feast Adventure and it is indeed all that and more. Here’s the HeySmokies review on the new Lumberjack Adventure experience!
With a $25 million renovation, the former Lumberjack Feud building now houses state-of-art lighting and sound technology, aerial rigging, and a new kitchen…all that makes for a whole new dinner show adventure in the Smokies!
The Dinner Part of the Show
Before we delve into the show itself, we must talk about the food. When Lumberjack Adventure proclaims to serve a Hearty Lumberjack Feast; well, they aren’t kidding! You will want to come hungry and we can bet you will still need a carry-out bag. Your friendly server (ours was Colton and he was fantastic) first brings out fresh, crunchy coleslaw and a warm, buttery biscuit. Served next is, get this, three pieces of fried chicken! And it is excellent; and at HeySmokies we know our fried chicken! You’re also served a hearty helping of moist and tasty smokehouse pulled pork. Other campfire fixings include homestyle mashed potatoes with sawmill (white) gravy and roasted corn on the cob. Unlimited Pepsi products, iced tea, and lemonade are available drinks. By the time coffee came with our dessert, we were so stuffed that it had to go into the carry-out bag! Our Lumberjack Adventure specialty dessert was a peach pastry, reheated later that evening and still flaky and delicious. (Vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be served on request.)
Pigeon Forge has come a long way in recent years, and the fact that at Dolly Parton’s Lumberjack Adventure you can purchase an alcoholic drink from your seat during the show and at the bar in the lobby beforehand, is a progressive step and certainly doesn’t take away from the family-friendly atmosphere. After all, moonshine was part of everyday life for the early settlers in the Smoky Mountains.
“I knew it was equally important for us to make sure the meal tasted great and helped tell the story. Dinner is really a major part of the show at Lumberjack Adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Sitting down together to eat with friends and family truly is one of the most important parts of the day,” says Dolly (dollyparton.com)
And Now For the Show
The executive producer of the show is Dolly herself and she also wrote the song, “Something More” which helps tell the story of the romance between young lovers of contentious families, the McGregors and the Wheelers, in the Smoky Mountains. The show could be best described as a Hillbilly Cirque de Soleil. The 18 cast members are comprised of collegiate gymnasts, circus performers, and aerial acrobats that will amaze you with their axe juggling, trampoline jumping, tumbling, and high-flying antics that are all weaved into part of the story. There’s lots of laughs throughout the show and we don’t want to spoil them by saying too much here; however, suffice it to say they’ll “dill your pickle!”
Lumberjack Adventure is full of song and dance, and one number that we think will be a hit with the younger guests is this tall-tale of a Trip into the Enchanted Forest and a chance meeting with a Smoky Mountain Boo Hag:
Tickets prices are $54.99 adults/$29.99 children for Preferred Seating (first four rows) and $49.99 adults/$24.99 children for Regular Seating. For more information and tickets call 844-322-4400 or visit LumberjackAdventure.com.
Be sure to arrive early for the show to visit The Trading Post were you can pan for gold and kids can become an authentic lumberjack, lumberjill or a lovely country maiden.
