Dolly Parton fans flock to her beloved theme park to celebrate her life with pink tributes, tears & her favourite cakes

DOLLY Parton fans are celebrating her life in style at her beloved theme park. The Sun visited Dollywood three days after the country music icon died from cancer at 80 — and found thrill seekers embracing her belief in “having a lot of fun”. The Sun’s Scarlet Howes joins fans paying tribute to Dolly Parton at her beloved Dollywood theme park Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner The Country music icon passed away on Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer Credit: Rex We joined them on the junior roller-coaster Whistle Punk Chaser, which travels at a sedate 16mph. The speed suited Dolly because she did not want her wigs to fall off. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! She once said: “I got so much to lose, like my wig or my shoes. I don’t like to get messed up. “I’m gonna have some handsome man mess it up. Scarlet by the park’s iconic gates Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner A touching memorial has been set up at the front gates where guests can pin flowers, letters and teddies Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner “I don’t want some ride doing it.” Dollywood, which has attracted millions of visitors annually since it opened in 1986, is lined with pink posters of the music legend with the slogan: “I will always love you.” Visibly emotional fan Sarah Markis, 32, said: “There’s a sense of joy at being able to feel close to Dolly at one of the places she loved the most. “She wanted her fans to have fun here.” Most read in The Sun Presley Wolan, four, made a touching poster that read: ‘Live, Love, Dolly’ Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner Kaity Ross, 15, in front of the flower memorial Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner Members of staff have been told to wear pink as a tribute to the singer. And a touching memorial has been set up at the front gates where guests can pin flowers, letters and teddies. Some fans have even brought candles to light, along with letters expressing their love for the star. One message read: “Heaven is sweeter because of you. Thank you for my childhood.” There was also a poster-making station allowing kids to create their own personal notes to Dolly Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner The Sun has been told the park is ‘planning something special’ for Dolly and her fans – it is currently ‘top secret’ but will be announced next week Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner A pair of Velour-brand false eyelashes were tucked behind a jar of sunflowers, with the message: “Cried these off from Texas!” There was also a poster-making station allowing kids to create their own personal notes to Dolly. Presley Wolan, four, made a touching poster that read: “Live, Love, Dolly.” Mum Alicia, 35, from Michigan, told The Sun: “She is a massive fan. She bawled her eyes out when she learned of Dolly’s death. “Her favourite song is 1989 hit Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That. She can sing the entire thing.” The Sun has been told the park is “planning something special” for Dolly and her fans. It is currently “top secret” but will be announced next week. The park’s president Eugene Naughton said: “She taught us how to dream big, so we have very ambitious plans that I know she’ll be proud of.” In every corner of the park — nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee — Dolly’s life is remembered. There is a replica of her childhood home, designed by her family, and her music blares from speakers. Guests can also head to the Dolly Experience, which houses her costumes from events and movies. And there is a chapel where fans can take a break from the rides and reflect. Before we left, we tried the park’s famous funnel cakes — deep-fried batter — which were Dolly’s favourite sweet treat. Dolly was known to say: “I can’t leave the park without funnel cakes.” One worker said: “She couldn’t get enough of ’em.” Comment now