PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (April 5, 2024) — The Smokies “rock” this August thanks to Dollywood’s popular contemporary Christian event, Rock the Smokies. On Saturday, Aug. 17, Dollywood guests can enjoy headline performances in Celebrity Theater by Casting Crowns and CAIN.
Casting Crowns comes to Dollywood amid their 20th anniversary tour. Lead singer and songwriter Mark Hall says the challenges of the pandemic served as the inspiration for many of the songs on their newest album, Healer.
“I was walking through the world when it began to shut down, just like everybody else,” Hall started. “I’ve been a youth pastor for over 20 years, and here I was counseling teenagers who’d just lost their senior year, lost their friend groups, felt hopeless for the future. As I started working on this record, I realized all the songs I was writing dealt with healing in some way, something we all need. And more than that, we need a Healer. This whole album is about healing, about how God meets us where we are and what His healing looks like.”
Sibling group CAIN quickly became a household name when their debut single “Rise Up (Lazarus)” was released in 2020. The trio of pastor’s kids from Hartselle, Alabama, has performed at The Grand Ole Opry, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Ryman Auditorium alongside some of the most successful artists in the genre. The headlining concerts are emceed by Heath Arthur, Christian actor, comedian and entertainer.
Additionally, Rock the Smokies features several other contemporary Christian artists performing on stages throughout the park. Those artists include Chris Ekiss, Lizzie Morgan, Riley Clemmons, and Ryan Ellis. All performances outside of Celebrity Theater are free with park admission.
Tickets for the headline events are extremely popular, and premium seats tend to sell out quickly. Pre-sale begins Thursday, April 11, with tickets on sale to the general public on Friday, April 12. Tickets are good for seats in Celebrity Theater shows only; all other general admission concerts are first come, first served.
Meet & Greet opportunities are available through the platinum VIP package. Special Dollywood season passholder pricing also is available on the event website.
By combining all the adventure of a day at the theme park with great music, Dollywood has crafted a unique event packed with fun for all ages. A ticket purchase includes admission to Dollywood. Discounts are available for groups, season passholders and guests who order tickets early. Packages are available that include VIP seating, t-shirts, pictures with the artists and much more!
For more information about the event, visit rockthesmokiesfest.com. To learn more about multi-day ticket options or 2024 Dollywood season passes, visit Dollywood.comor download the Dollywood app.
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About Dollywood Parks & Resorts: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and the newly opened Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of 58 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 28 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment. The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and earned the Golden Ticket Award for the Best Park in the world in 2023. In 2022, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. It also has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and Tripadvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks, operates from mid-May to Labor Day. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
Media Contacts:
Pete Owens: Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, (865) 428-9486, (865) 755-7972 or [email protected]
Wes Ramey: Public Relations Director, (865) 428-9484, (865) 640-3805 or [email protected]
Ellen Liston: Public Relations Manager, (865) 428-9629, (865) 919-7001 or [email protected]
Jennifer Webb: Sr. Publicist, (865) 428-9602, (865) 323-7584 or [email protected]
Josh Sauer: Publicist, (865) 428-9891, (865) 323-2653 or [email protected]
For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room