Dollywood's Fifth Annual Kidsfest Begins June 15

Pigeon Forge, TN -- Dollywood welcomes exotic cats, comedic vegetables, talented dogs and an Outer Space expedition to its fifth annual KidsFest celebration beginning June 15.

"I'm just a big kid myself, so I love the sounds of laughter and folks having fun all summer long at Dollywood," Dolly Parton said. "From disappearing cats to talking vegetables, I can't wait to see what happens next myself!"

The eight-week festival, which continues through Aug. 5, features Untamed Illusions Starring the Fercos Brothers, Merlin Award-winning magicians. The headlining show features a cast of exotic cats along with a special appearance by the Rodriguez Family Sheepdogs. The show is performed daily in DP's Celebrity Theatre.

Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber star in VeggieTales® LIVE. Two different stage shows are performed daily, featuring the hilarious antics of Bob and Larry as they match wits with The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. The show promotes family-friendly lessons for audiences of all ages.

A mission from Bedrock to Outer Space awaits passengers aboard Yogi's Wild Ride, a new fun-filled motion simulator. Yogi is determined to rescue Elroy Jetson from the clutches of Dick Dastardly and Muttley. Along the way, Yogi gets a little help and lots of laughs from the Flintstones, Scooby-Doo and Shaggy, and the Jetsons!

Two new shows join the lineup at Dolly's Imagination Playhouse featuring the Penguin Players. Along with the return of the popular The Little Engine That Could, audiences can enjoy The Gruffalo. Based on the book by Julia Donaldson, The Gruffalo teaches audiences that even the smallest person can do very big things. Hank the Cowdog, the popular children's books written by John R. Erickson, reminds everyone to trust their instincts to make the right decision. Six live stage shows daily feature sing-along songs written by Dolly who performs via a special video appearance.

Throughout the festival, the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) is providing "keeper talks" after each performance of the Wings of America show which features a variety of raptors. "Keeper talks" teach children and adults about the bald eagle and other birds of prey. On June 20, the Dollywood-based, not-for-profit AEF celebrates the first-ever American Eagle Day. In honor of the occasion, the 30,000-sq.-ft aviary, home to America's largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles, welcomes two new eagles recently donated by the San Francisco Zoo.

The CanDoos, super hero mother/daughter characters Ruby Red and Mucho, perform an action-packed family comedy show, including musical saws, "the balancing eggs of danger," juggling shenanigans, family yodeling, unbelievable magic tricks and even bicycle pump playing.

Dollywood's Valley Exhibition Hall features Kid Concoctions, a hands-on activity center where kids learn how to create arts and crafts using everyday household items.

Dollywood is a 130-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. For more information, see Dollywood or visit www.dollywood.com.