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MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 37 Well, Hello, Dolly! Parton's influence felt in Branson Stampede BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette O dds are, you won't get to meet Dolly Parton when you attend her Stampede in Branson. But you will see and hear about the same commitment to people and attention to entertainment that is synonymous with the performer's legendary status. Parton, who was born in 1946 in Locust Ridge, Tenn., helped revolutionize the world of country music for women performers. But she also set out to change the world by her own hand, creating Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they turn 5 years old, and more recently, declaring that her Tennessee theme park Dollywood, which she owns in partnership with Herschend Enterprises, would cover 100% of employees' college tuition, fees and books. Parton's father couldn't read or write. She herself had only a high school education. But when she delivered the 2009 commencement speech at the University of Tennessee, she said the Dollywood Foundation's mission is to encourage kids to "dream more, learn more, care more, and be more." Derik Zoo, emcee for the Stampede in Branson this spring, is following his dream in his job. "I believe that everyone has a purpose on the earth, and mine was to be an entertainer," says Zoo. "I honestly came out of the womb making people laugh. I was always the one who would get up and sing a song or act out a skit for family, school, church, etc. This is my life's calling, and I'm so honored to get do it here at the Stampede." It's the audience, he says, that makes it fun. "I'm fortunate enough to get to interact with our guests more than any other performer," he explains. "While I'm signing autographs or taking pictures, I get to hear their stories, some of which have brought me to tears. Families come to our show to celebrate the life of someone they lost or to celebrate the fact that a family member beat cancer or some other life-threatening condition. I've met children with scars or burn marks from life-changing events who always greet me with a hug and a smile. I've had kids (and some adults) get so excited to meet me they run and jump into my arms for a big hug. To have that kind of effect on anyone is humbling." It all sounds very much like Parton, who opened the Stampede in Branson, one of the first dinner attractions of its kind, in 1994. "I just thought it was a great show idea, and no one was really doing anything like it when we started," she is quoted as saying. "It sounded like a lot of fun and a great way to tell a story." Part of Stampede's appeal over the ensuing 28 years has been its ability give the audience what it knows and loves, while also bringing something new to the table. Parton works with her production team to decide what parts of the show stay, and what elements might work well for the dinner show attraction, and her face and voice can be seen and heard throughout the 35,000-square-foot arena complex. Once seated, you'll enjoy a four- course dinner and a larger-than-life performance featuring 32 one-of-a- kind horses. During peak season, the Stampede boasts 250 employees from performers to administrators to kitchen staff, along with the horses in the show and others on site for training. The 32 horses consume 104,000 pounds of grain per year and 3,500 bales of hay; more than 1,150 horseshoes are used on the Stampede horses each year; and horses' bedding consists of 13,200 bales of hay and approximately 528,000 pounds of pine shavings annually, which is kept clean and dry round-the- clock by eight employees that work in the stable. "One of the things that makes the Stampede such a special place for our guests to visit is that escape for a few hours to a world where they can make memories together — marveling at the trick riding of our talented equestrians on our magnificent horses, enjoying a delicious meal served by friendly faces, laughing at the interaction of our performers during the comedic parts of the show," General Manager Bryan Cossiboom said in a 2020 story. "We haven't added any brand-new elements as we reopen but rather rehearsed all the favorite parts of the show that folks have been coming to see — and see again." Trick riders have been delighting audiences at Dolly Parton's Stampede for a quarter of a century. (Courtesy Photo) BRANSON FAQ Dolly Parton's Stampede WHEN — There are shows at 5:30 and 8 p.m. most days COST — $34.99-$64.99 INFO — 417-336-3000 or dpstam- pede.com FYI — The Stampede continues to offer its popular dinner of creamy vegetable soup, homemade biscuit, rotisserie chicken, barbecued pork loin, corn on the cob, an herb- basted potato, a specialty dessert and unlimited bever- ages.