Maggie Jones | Knoxville

Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

BRIANNA PACIORKA/NEWS SENTINEL

PIGEON FORGE — Dolly Parton came to Dollywood on Friday and revealed a host of new entertainment experiences and a new venue coming to the theme park in 2018.

An investment that's "$1 million greater than any season-long entertainment schedule in the park’s history" will fund these new additions to the park, according to a Dollywood press release.

The venue, the Plaza at Wilderness Pass, will occupy the spot where the park's River Battle Ride was and sit in between roller coasters Mystery Mine and FireChaser Express.

Rendering courtesy of Dollywood

The venue will house different events that correlate with the park's many festivals, according to Dollywood Public Relations Manager Wes Ramey.

"So what will happen is throughout the year we'll be able to take the programming for each of the festivals and theme that area so that guests have an immersive experience they can sit down, take a break and just enjoy the atmosphere for whatever festival we're in," said Ramey.

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Dolly Parton unveils new Dollywood entertainment for 2018 season

In addition to the venue, several musicians and entertainers will make the trip to Pigeon Forge in 2018 to perform at the park. A new three-week-long festival, the Spring Mix music series, will take place from April 11-29 and feature a week of classic country music, a week of inspirational music and a week of classic rock and folk music.

The event will have performances from Pam Tillis, Connie Smith, Shenandoah, Amy Grant, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Larnelle Harris, David Phelps, Chonda Pierce, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Drifters, Debby, Firefall, Al Stewart and others. Individual concert dates and show times will be announced later, according to the press release.

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Dollywood’s Rock the Smokies event on Aug. 25 will feature Christian music artists TobyMac and Crowder serving as headliners.

"Well it's good 'cause a lot of them are the oldies from my time and a lot of them I know personally ... but I think that it's good," said Parton. "It gives people a variety, too. We have, of course, our country week, our inspirational groups that come in and Amy Grant and a lot of people ... the young Christian singers, and I think that's wonderful, so we've got a variety, and we've had our bluegrass and gospel music through the years every fall, so I love the whole idea. The more music the better for me."

Other new additions include adding another week to the park's Barbecue and Bluegrass event in the summer (May 25-June 10), an expansion of the park's Great Pumpkin LumiNights in the fall and new summer entertainment from DRUMline Live!, which was inspired by the 2002 movie "Drumline," and "America's Got Talent's" iLuminate, who combine dance moves and glow-in-the-dark costumes.

Parton did her part in brainstorming the new entertainment options. She and others on the Dollywood team meet throughout the year and talk about what they plan for the park.

"I am involved in all of it, but we have people that are smarter than us like I've always said ... 'Nobody can do everything.' But they listen to me openly, and I listen to them. We always go out to find the best people. You know smart people always find people that are smarter than them to do the real work," she said.

Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Parton also talked about the park's 2017 Smoky Mountain Christmas, which starts on Saturday and goes through Jan. 1.

The holiday festival features the Parade of Many Colors nightly, several Christmas shows, activities, characters, food and 4 million lights to gaze at.

Parton said the feel and attitude of the park's holiday festival draws from her memories of Christmas.