"'Out at the Park' to celebrate 5th anniversary with event

Dolly Parton

"Out at the Park," formerly known as "Gay Day at Dollywood" will celebrate its fifth anniversary on June 16.

The following day on June 17, the group will hold "Out at the Water Park" at Dolly's Splash Country.

The color theme this year is red, and coordinators are asking participants to wear red shirts in an effort to "flood the park with a sea of red shirts."

The event is billed as a "fun, all-ages social event" for all members of the LGBT community and its friends, families and supporters.

Ryan Salyer, executive director of Out at the Park, said in a press release that Dolly Parton is a gay icon. She has received many accolades from gay groups, he said.

"She once told an interviewer that if she had been born a man, she would have had to have been a drag queen," Salyer said.

But the events are not sponsored nor sanctioned by the theme parks, according to the press release.

The first Gay Day at Dollywood was held on Sept. 23, 2003. The purpose of the event is to foster a sense of pride, dignity and unity and to promote diversity, visibility, awareness and acceptance.

Single day admission to the theme parks will be $47.95 at Dollywood and $39 at the water park. The host hotel is America's Best Value located in Pigeon Forge, 202 Emert St. Call 865-429-0150. Reservations can be made online at www.abvipf.com. The room rates are $59.99 for up to 5 persons per room. A block of rooms at the hotel have been reserved.

For information about Out at the Park visit www.outatthepark.com or call 423-943-3718.




This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition April 6, 2007