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www.dollymania.net News March 2026 March 3: East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville last week revealed it was being renamed the Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, or "Dolly Children's" for short. The nearly 90-year-old institution unveiled the new name, logo, and website (DollyChildrens.org) with a video on Today. Although the amount of Dolly's contribution was not revealed in the announcement, the hospital noted her partnership will ensure "every child who walks through our doors receives the treatment they deserve." In a press release, Dolly said: "Being fortunate to have grown up in the mountains of East Tennessee, I learned early on what it means to take care of one another Every child deserves world-class care, wrapped in kindness and love. I'm so honored to stand alongside this hospital and do my part to help bring more hope, more comfort and more healing to children and families." Check out the announcement video here or in the media player above and the Today story and segment here. The announcement also prompted Fortune magazine to examine her philanthropy with a piece here. Dolly To Appear At Dollywood March 13 Dollywood is preparing for a visit by Dreamer In Chief Dolly herself on Friday, March 13, to launch the park's 41st season during a media event on the park's public opening day. She is expected to take her usual open-car park tour that afternoon weather-permitting, but whether seats at the media event will be available for fans has yet to be revealed (in past years, availability of tickets for season passholders has typically been announced about a week in advance). While they announced the previously-shelved passholder preview day was returning after all (in an abbreviated fashion for the afternoon-only on March 12 with limited ride, shop, show, and restaurant operation and requiring advanced reservations which will be limited as well, so they're calling it a "dress rehearsal" for opening day), it has not been revealed whether Dolly will make any appearances that day or on Saturday. Also announced was that the park's two coal-fired locomotive engines had been converted back to the original oil-burning engines that they had when the park first acquired them, eliminating the coal embers that would get on riders' clothing, occasionally in their eyes (requiring the First Aid station to remove the embers), and sometimes lighting small wildfires along the route. The "I Will Always Love You" Festival March 13-April 12 will debut the MotoMotion Freestyle Show and a 3D visual concert called Artrageous in addition to the returning "From The Heart: The Life & Music of Dolly Parton" theatrical performances. Check out your Dollymania video recap from Dolly's season opening appearance last year here or in the media player above, The upcoming event marks her first return to the park and first in-person public appearance since she cancelled a string of planned appearances last fall and winter – including announcing the park's new indoor coaster that is currently under construction – to deal with kidney stones and a resulting infection. Pre-Order 'Son Of Jolene' For April 17 The release date for Belle's collaboration with Dolly on "Son Of Jolene" has been announced as April 17, and the artist has been teasing the track with a little snippet of her vocals with Dolly in social media videos such as the one available here or in the media player above. Check out a story about the duet from Parade here and pre-order the track from Amazon here. Dolly Honors Ozzy At Brit Awardsa Dolly appeared remotely over the weekend at the Brits, the British music awards, to present the Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously to Ozzy Osborne. His wife, Sharon, and daughter, Kelly, accepted the award. Watch part of Dolly's tribute here or in the media player above. Dollar General Unveils Spring Home Collection U.K., U.S., Aussie Chart Updates |