Run Through Dollywood’s Four Million Lights During Nov. 14 Light the Way 5K

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (Nov. 7, 2014)— Area runners have an opportunity to start the holiday season on the right foot during the Nov. 14 Light the Way 5k at Dollywood. The race course takes participants on a jolly jog through more than four million dazzling lights and festive decorations which make up the park’s award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas presented by Humana.

The race begins at 11 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, inside Dollywood, where racers and spectators can enjoy the amazing atmosphere of the park at night. While the decorations certainly attract well-deserved attention, runners also should focus on crossing the finish line first. The top three overall winners receive 2015 Dollywood season passes, while Dollywood’s master craftsmen have created unique hand-blown glass ornaments for the winners of each age division.

Every participant receives a long-sleeve t-shirt as well as a red light-up nose to put them in the Christmas spirit! All proceeds from the Light the Way 5k benefit Share It Forward and Keep Sevier Beautiful.

“We are grateful to the entire team at Dollywood for enabling us to host such a spectacular event,” said Laura Howard, executive director of Keep Sevier Beautiful. “The proceeds we receive go back in to our education programs and community beautification projects.”

Registration is available online at www.lighttheway5k.net. Participants also may register beginning at 9 p.m. on the night of the event at Dollywood’s front gate. Walkers are welcome to take part in the Light the Way 5k.

For more information, visit www.lighttheway5k.net.

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 About The Dollywood Company: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 150-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood Cabins; and Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, scheduled to open in 2015. 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 nearly 30 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 22 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). In 2014, Dollywood was named a top three theme park by USA Today. Open nine months a year (late March through early January), Dollywood offers rides and attractions, shows, and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region.  Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel as one of the country’s most beautiful waterparks and named 2009’s Must-See Waterpark by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Dollywood Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking Dollywood. Opening in 2015, the 307-room Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort will provide guests spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

Media Contacts:

Pete Owens: Public Relations Director, (865) 428-9486, (865) 755-7972 or [email protected]

Wes Ramey: Publicist, (865) 428-9484, (865) 640-3805 or [email protected]

For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room.aspx.