New Adventure Theater Brings Family Variety Shows to Dollywood’s 2010 KidsFest

Dollywood welcomes the summer travel season with its annual KidsFest celebration featuring the new Adventure Theater and an all-star lineup of eight different family variety shows, each headlining one week of the festival from June 11 through Aug. 1.

"For my new Adventure Theater at Dollywood's KidsFest, I've invited some of the most popular and entertaining comedians, jugglers, clowns, ventriloquists and magicians that you'll see anywhere this summer," Dolly Parton said. "And with eight different shows throughout the summer, families will definitely want to come and see every one of them!"

The complete Adventure Theater lineup includes:

BAM!-June 11-13-A three-man comedy percussion show with side-splitting sketches.
The Paper World Show by Mimirichi-June 15-20-Making its U.S. debut, this show from Ukraine features clowns transforming paper into the unimaginable.
Mark Nizer-June 22-27-The comedic juggler who balances a running electric knife, a burning propane tank and a 16-pound bowling ball, all at once.
Curtis Adams-June 29-July 4-This extreme magician astounds with amazing stunts, cutting-edge illusions, state-of-the-art visual effects and comedy.
The Gazillion Bubble Show-July 6-11-Lasers, spectacular lighting effects, and jaw-dropping masterpieces of mind-boggling bubble artistry amaze audiences.
The Passing Zone-July 13-18-The five-time Guinness world juggling record holders juggle torches and knives-even audience members.
Mad Science Productions "Star Trek Live"-July 20-25-An out-of-this-world interactive adventure based on the most popular science fiction franchise of all time.
Kevin Johnson-July 28-Aug. 1-This hilarious ventriloquist and his cast of characters keep audiences laughing.
Each show is performed four times daily (except Mondays) in Dollywood's Showstreet Palace Theatre. All shows are included with park admission.

Also new is the Silly Science Fair kids' activity center located in the park's Country Fair area. Through July 23, families can enjoy three different science-based shows that get children involved and make learning fun. The Silly Science Fair presents shows by Professor Smart (June 11-20); Mr. Fish (June 21-July 4) and Lisa Lou (July 5-July 23). The area also features science experiments and demonstrations along with giant interlocking puzzle pieces for coloring that children can add to the puzzle wall to create a unique piece of art.

Journey to the Center of the Earth^TM 4D Experience returns to the Imagination Cinema. At Dolly's Imagination Playhouse, the award-winning Penguin Players are back by popular demand, bringing to life the popular children's storybooks The Little Engine That Could, Llama Llama Red Pajamas and SkippyJon Jones.

KidsFest also includes daily fun-filled character meals at Aunt Granny's restaurant each day. The all-you-care-to-eat breakfast buffet meal includes visits by Strawberry Shortcake, Peter Rabbit, Pippi Longstocking, Spot the Dog (June 11-28 only), Patches the Scarecrow, Walker the Dog and Baxter Bear. First-come, first-served seating begins at 8:30 a.m. with the last seating at 10:45 a.m. Cost is $9.99 for adults; $6.29 for children ages 4-11. Dollywood admission is required.

Dollywood, a 150-acre family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., won the Golden Tickets' 2007 Publisher's Pick for best theme park. Open nine months a year (March 27, 2010-Jan. 1, 2011), Dollywood offers more than 40 rides and attractions, including Thunderhead, twice named the world's No. 1 wooden coaster, and Mystery Mine coaster, Theme Park Insider's 2007 Best New Attraction. The winner of 15 Big E Entertainment Awards, more than any other park in the world, Dollywood's live entertainment features country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music. Plus, a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region demonstrate daily. Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas festival is a two-time winner of the Golden Tickets Award for Best Christmas Event. Operating days and hours vary. More information is available by calling 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visiting dollywood.com.

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