Lee and Karen Duquette
at Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Show
3849 Parkway - Pigeon Forge, TN
October 2, 2023
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This experience lasted about
1.5 hours. The admission price ($80 each on this date - always subject
to change) included the food and show entertainment and was recommended
for all ages. Parking was free on this date.
The first thing the two RV Gypsies saw as the entered the building
was a big "book" and sign about Dolly Parton's Imagination
Library. |
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Below: Before the show, there
was a bit of cowboy entertainment for those who arrived a bit early.
The entertainment was mostly of the cowboy shown below in the red plaid
shirt who played a guitar and sang. Then he chose three men from the
audience to be part of the entertainment. He handed each of the men
a "stick" horse. (The big red dots at the bottom of that photo
is from the checkers set, mentioned a bit below). |
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Below: The men rode their "stick" horses
around the wooden box while the cowboy sang. Then some children got
in the act with various things, but Karen Duquette does not post children
on this website, other than her own family now and then.
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During this time, guest could purchase drinks (moonshine)
and stand around tall tables to enjoy their drink (no seats except for
VIPs). There were a few giant sets of checkers on top of the tall tables,
so Karen and Lee Duquette spent some time standing up and playing checkers
while waiting for the above entertainment to begin. |
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Below: Then the crowd was corralled inside
and shown to their assigned seats. Polite cowboys asked if they wanted
to purchase alcohol. If not, he brought them their meal which consisted
of a small rotisserie chicken which had been quite overcooked, obviously
ahead of time, as it was not very tender. The tiny piece of hickory
smoked barbecued pork loin was too tough to even cut (and of course
only a fork was given to customers - no knives). Dolly's original creamy
vegetable soup was served in a very small cup and was okay but was mostly
broth (the two RV Gypsies did not see any vegetables in the soup). The
biscuit was good, and there was also hot buttered corn on the cob, and
a small herb basted potato. The Dolly's Stampede special dessert was
good. Each meal came with unlimited soft drinks, tea or coffee.The food
was nothing to brag about, but service was excellent. |
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Below: In the show itself, all performers
were skilled at their craft. But since Lee and Karen Duquette have also
seen this show in Orlando, Florida they were not overly excited about
it. (They are not even sure why they spent the money going here).
The show included lots of magnificent horses and fancy
dressed riders displaying trick riding, which was entertaining. Plus
some fun competition and some silly stuff. There was also special effects
such as a state-of-the-art sound and light system. Lee and Karen Duquette
had front row seats off to the side, and had an angled view of the mountain
and waterfall where thrilling pyro lit up the stage from time-to-time.
There was of course an aisle and low railing wall in front of them. |
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Below: The bright pyro displays threw out heat and was
great, but did not photograph well. Flash was not allowed. |
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Below: The first cowboy driving a stagecoach. |
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Below: Several different cowgirls doing tricks on horses. |
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Below: Horses jumped through a fire hoop. |
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Below: Of course, Indians must be included in any good
cowboy, rodeo or western show. |
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Below: Indian dance |
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Below: The aerial act was wonderful, but did not photograph
well. |
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Below: Time to round up the bulls |
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Below: Another aerial act |
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Below: Pig racing time (total boring) |
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Below: Small pony racing time (also boring) |
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Below: Time for an extremely dumb act, which was supposed
to be funny. |
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Below: the big chicken laid an egg |
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Below: The fancy cowboy introducing the patriotic act
ending the show. |
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