Courtesy of: Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Published by: Chris and Will Press
In Dolly’s Footsteps—a free, self-guided walking tour through downtown Sevierville, Tennessee – is set to open this October.
Next month, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce will unveil In Dolly’s Footsteps, a self-guided walking tour designed to share important moments from Dolly’s early years as told through the places and people of her hometown, Sevierville. Visit the former theater where she played her first paying gig, hear Dolly recall her first visit to Red’s Café via video, and learn exactly what the Dolly statue means to a community that will always love her. Along the way, discover the people, experiences, and hometown connections behind her extraordinary journey from Sevierville to stages around the world.
About the Tour In Dolly’s Footsteps is a free, self-guided experience connecting nine downtown Sevierville locations to Dolly’s early life. At every stop, a granite-and-bronze marker reveals another part of the story. Guests will begin near the Dolly statue with a complimentary tour brochure, which will highlight each stop of In Dolly’s Footsteps. Guests may also use their mobile devices to scan QR codes along the route and unlock more photos, videos, and stories.
With the help of Sevier County Historian, Carroll McMahan, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce began developing this project in 2023 and worked closely with Dollywood to make sure Dolly approved the locations and gave the project her blessing.
“We are honored to share Dolly’s hometown story with the world,” says Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing and Communications, Amanda Marr. “Not everything looks just as it did all those years ago, but our hope is to share what downtown Sevierville was like for Dolly as faithfully as possible by highlighting the locations with stories, videos, and images to bring those memories to life.”
Planned locations on the tour will include: Red’s Café (Location circa 1964) - 119 Court Ave. Easy Way Five and Dime – 137 Bruce St. Dolly Statue – 125 Court Ave. Carr Dry Goods Co. – 140 Court Ave. Raymond’s Shoe Store – 110 Bruce St. Temple Milling Company – 106 W. Bruce St. Kilpatrick’s Drug Store – 159 Bruce St. Old Post Office – 163 Bruce St. The Pines Theater – 230 Court Ave.
Additional information regarding the opening date for In Dolly’s Footsteps will be available soon. To learn more, go to InDollysFootsteps.com. For additional Dolly-inspired activities, go to VisitSevierville.com.
Source: ChrisWill Media
About the Authors: Christopher L. Antie and William Antie are podcast journalists who cover entertainment, travel, culture, and stories from a variety of industries. Learn more about Chris and Will by listening to their podcast, What About Our Life?, on iHeartRadio or visiting ChrisAndWill.com.