Dolly Parton fans are paying tribute to her by eating iconic Dollywood dish
Dollywood has vowed that the ‘show will go on’ following the death of legendary country music star and co-owner, Dolly Parton, with fans set to ‘honour’ her by ordering a viral sweet treat.
On Tuesday (25 August), the family of the ‘9 to 5’ singer announced she’d died, with tributes being paid by the likes of Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Beyoncé.
Representatives of Parton, 80, said she died surrounded by loved ones after ‘bravely facing’ cancer, as reported by the BBC.
Questions were immediately raised regarding the fate of Dollywood Parks & Resorts, the star’s jointly owned theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and whether the 165-acre space would reopen in the wake of her death.
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A statement appeared on the official website shortly after the 11-time Grammy Award winner’s death. It read: “In her spirit, Dollywood will be open Wednesday, August 226 as Dolly wanted, always reminding everyone with her signature sparkle— ‘the show must go on.’”
Fans promise to order iconic Dollywood food in honour of late star
Upon hearing that Dollywood would not temporarily shutter, fans of the parks and resorts and Parton herself have vowed to re-visit and order one menu staple.
“Eat cinnamon bread then ride Tennessee tornado until you puke to really honor Dolly,” typed one grieving X user.
A second said: “I need to go to dollywood right now i need to honor her with cinnamon bread and rhinestones.”
Someone else echoed: “Dolly parton :( i cant believe it rest in peace the mama of county music ill visit Dollywood to try your famous cinnamon bread.”
“I’m ordering some cinnamon bread from Dollywood to pay tribute,” a fourth said.
Another reshared Pop Crave’s announcement that Parton had died with the comment: “I need to eat cinnamon bread about this.”
How Parton ate the Dollywood cinnamon bread
Dollywood cinnamon bread, priced at under $15 per order, is world-famous— countless recipe dupes and viral tasting TikToks currently litter the internet.
Described as a ‘warm, gooey pull-apart yeast loaf’, the cinnamon bread is baked fresh daily at The Grist Mill and coated in butter and cinnamon sugar.
Anyone picking up the sweet delight is advised to try the snack with buttercream icing or Dollywood’s own apple butter, as per the website.
In a fan Q&A, the legend herself claimed she would never choose one or the other: she’d always have both.
Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President, has since released a statement on Parton’s death, claiming it had been the ‘greatest privilege’ to help bring her ‘dreams to life at Dollywood’.
“Dolly's heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply.
“While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates.”
A timeline of Dolly Parton's charity work
Parton is fondly remembered for her generosity and how much she gave back to local communities across the United States, as well as for contributing to education, welfare and animal rights.
Here's a list of everything she did during her life to help others:
The Dollywood Foundation
In 1988, Parton originally launched the organisation in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee, with the goal of decreasing secondary school dropout rates.
She later launched the Buddy Program, which saw Parton give every seventh and eighth grader who finished high school $500.
Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood
In 1991, Dollywood partnered with the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) to open a 30,000-square-foot aviary to shelter the largest collection of 'non-releasable' bald eagles.
This partnership 'helped introduce millions of Dollywood guests to America’s national symbol and to the importance of protecting bald eagles and other birds of prey', according to the AEF's website.
Imagination Library
She founded the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library in 1995.
It began sending one book per month to each enrolled child in Sevier County from birth until their first year of school.
In 2025, it was announced that the Imagination Library gifted more than 40.3 million books, bringing the program’s total books gifted since its launch to more than 304.5 million.
The Dolly Parton Scholarship
According to the Dollywood Foundation, the scholarship - an annual award granting $15,000 (£11,000) each to five secondary school seniors in Sevier County, Tennessee - is awarded to those who 'have a dream they wish to pursue and who can successfully communicate their plan and commitment to realise their dreams'.
My People Fund
After previously working hard to aid wildfire relief in Tennessee in 2016, Parton launched the My People Fund. It provided $1,000 (£733) per month for six months to families whose homes were destroyed by the fires.
The fund also donated around $8.9 million (£6.5 million) to those in need.
$1 million donation to a children’s hospital
In 2017, Parton made the staggering donation to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in honour of her niece, who was treated for leukaemia at that hospital.
She made another $1 million donation to the same hospital in 2022, this time aiming to help pediatric infectious disease research.
Covid-19 vaccine donation efforts
Parton donated $1 million to coronavirus research at Vanderbilt University, which helped fund Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Tennessee flooding relief
$700,000 (£510,000) was raised by Parton and her Smoky Mountain businesses in 2021 to help residents impacted by the catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee.
Dollywood education coverage
In 2022, the Dollywood Co. announced that it will cover 100 percent of tuition, fees and books for any employee who is furthering their education.
The program is available to all seasonal, part-time and full-time employees at Dollywood Parks & Resorts.
$1 million donation to the Salvation Amy
In late 2023, the singer donated another generous $1 million to the Salvation Army, with the money going towards food and grocery programs in the US.
$2 million donation toward Hurricane Helene relief
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024, which affected areas across Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, Parton donated $1 million from her own funds for the Mountain Way’s Foundation, which provides assistance to flood victims.
Her East Tennessee businesses and the Dollywood Foundation also pledged an additional $1 million.
Ella Scott