Butterflies at the 40th Season Opener
At 10 a.m., Dollywood’s gates flung open and a ripple of pink Crocs surged forward. Coffee in hand, I weaved past excited passholders as Dolly’s pre-recorded welcome filled the air.
The mountain morning buzzed like live wire. In that throng, I felt a collective heartbeat—a mix of nostalgia, wonder, and unabashed joy. For a moment, I wasn’t covering a park preview; I was part of a legacy.
Then I blinked—and remembered I had deadlines. But the butterflies stayed with me, proof that Dolly’s promise still takes flight.