Calling All Kids

KidsFest banners fly all over the Dollywood, the Pigeon Forge, Tenn. theme park. Performances this season include The Kratt Brothers in a new stage show.

By: Joe Tennis | TriCities.com
Published: July 03, 2008

Theme Park Hosting KidsFest Through Aug. 3

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – At all times of year, Dollywood is a refuge for kids of all ages.
Yet, in the heat of summer, the place simply goes wild with the excitement of young children pacing the blacktop walkways of the Pigeon Forge, Tenn. theme park.
In turn, that means it’s time for “KidsFest,” an annual celebration going on through Aug. 3.
“Especially during the summer months when kids are out of school, KidsFest places an extra emphasis on entertainment and attractions that the entire family can enjoy together,” said Dollywood spokeswoman Trish McGee.
This year, a custom performance is on tap starring The Kratt Brothers, featuring a never-before-seen live stage show called “Creature Adventures.”
“The Smoky Mountains are full of all God’s creatures, but The Kratt Brothers are going to entertain families with some of their special critter friends,” the park’s namesake, Dolly Parton, said in a release.
Stars of the popular PBS-TV “Zoboomafoo” children’s series, Chris and Martin Kratt bring a menagerie of amazing animals to the stage at Dolly Parton’s Celebrity Theatre for this 40-minute show.
Staged several times daily, the show features a zebra, red kangaroo, coati, porcupine, beaver, rainbow boa, black-footed penguin, spurred tortoise and more.
The Kratt Brothers also share stories as they talk about their worldwide escapades, meeting animals from all walks of life.
Other special shows during KidsFest include “VeggieTales LIVE!” starring Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber.
Beyond that, Dollywood features “Kamp KidsFest” with “Kreatures, Kritters and Krafts” in the Valley Exhibition Hall, where children can get an up-close view of a variety of small animals, reptiles and bugs. A professional animal caregiver from the Knoxville Zoo shares facts about each creature.
You can also learn more about birds – especially eagles – at the parks’s “Wings of America Theatre,” featuring 10 viewing stalls of different birds.
Elsehwere, kids can get sandy as the KidsFest sand sculpture designers show off their craft, using 75 tons of sand to create castles as tall as 8 feet.