All You Need to Know About the Music in the Mountains Spring Parade
Pigeon Forge’s Music in the Mountains Spring Parade will be here before you know it! The popular parade, formerly known as the Dolly Parton Homecoming Parade, has both a new name and a new grand marshal this year. When you stay at All Season Suites, you will be minutes away from this hugely popular event! To help you plan your next vacation, we have put together a guide of everything you need to know about the Music in the Mountains Spring Parade.
When and Where
The Music in the Mountains Spring Parade will take place on Friday, May 4. The parade will start at 6 p.m. and usually lasts for about an hour.
The parade route will begin at Traffic Light #6 (near J.T. Hannah’s Kitchen) and continue to Traffic Light # 3 (near The Track). The procession will take up the entire northbound lane of the Parkway.
(See Also: Your Complete Guide to the Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival at Dollywood)
Getting to the Music in the Mountains Spring Parade
Guests at All Season Suites have a number of options when it comes to getting to the parade. If you don’t mind walking, you can stroll to the beginning of the parade route at Traffic Light #6 in about 23 minutes.
Another great option is driving to The Island in Pigeon Forge. This shopping complex has a large (free) parking lot and is situated right off of the Parkway. The Island is a 5-minute drive from All Season Suites, and you are unlikely to hit much traffic if you take Teaster Lane.
However you decide to get to the Parkway, we suggest arriving early to secure your spot along the parade route, because thousands of people will be in attendance! Bennett’s Bar-B-Que typically offers good views of the parade from its tables facing the street, so consider having dinner at this restaurant when the festivities begin.
What to Expect at the Parade
The Music in the Mountains Spring Parade never disappoints! Cal Ripken Jr., a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and chairman and co-founder of Ripken baseball, is serving as the grand marshal of the parade and will ride on a float designed to honor the Smoky Mountains and the area’s musical roots. During the parade, you can expect to see a marching band, performers from local shows, veterans, horses and many beautiful floats. This year, the parade will feature 4 larger-than-life-sized cold-air balloons that depict popular children’s characters like Yogi Bear and the Pajanimals!
Seeing Dolly at Dollywood
If you want to see Dolly Parton, you will have a few chances at Dollywood the weekend of the parade! Typically, Dolly tours the theme park on a horse-drawn carriage on Friday at 4 p.m. and on Saturday at 4 p.m. Her Friday route usually takes her from the Heartsong Theater to the Showstreet Theater, and her Saturday tour is the same route in reverse. Dolly’s visit to Dollywood is dependent on the weather and her tour schedule, so you may want to call the park in advance to confirm whether she will make an appearance.
Staying at All Season Suites
Located minutes away from the Parkway and Dollywood, All Season Suites is the perfect place to stay for the Music in the Mountains Spring Parade weekend. With a delicious complimentary breakfast each morning, an outdoor swimming pool, a fun game room, and the comfiest beds in town, we have everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of Pigeon Forge hotel rooms!
