September 25 (9/25) is now known as “Dolly 9 to 5 Day” (or Dolly Parton Day) to honor the legendary singe and her iconic hit song. For years it has been been an informal thing, but following her passing several states, cities, and organizations nationwide officially proclaimed the September 25th date to celebrate her life. It also serves to promote the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library literacy program, and more broadly encourage community service. My son’s elementary school is actually celebrating it by encouraging students and staff to show their Dolly spirit by dressing in pink, denim, rhinestones, sparkles, cowboy boots, big hair, fringe, sequins, or Dolly-themed gear. On September 25th have a Dolly good time while we’re learning, laughing, and loving every minute!

Six Flags has announced that 2026 will feature its largest-ever lineup of horror franchises and immersive haunted attractions. This will be a mix of globally recognized horror franchises, blockbuster entertainment brands and immersive original experiences. Anchored by 29 new and returning licensed haunted attractions, the expanded portfolio also includes 196 themed scare zones and live entertainment plus nighttime ride experiences that will transform parks across North America after dark. Coast to coast, Six Flags parks will offer a total of 448 Halloween-themed experiences making it North America’s biggest Halloween party.  At Six Flags this event has normally been known as Fright Fest, but this year will still see the continued use of some of the traditional Cedar Fair names like SCarowinds and Knott’s Scary Farm.

The University of Tennessee football program has announced that a commemorative helmet sticker will be worn to honor Dolly Parton for every game this season. The university is located in Knoxville, near Dollywood and Sevierville where Dolly was born and raised. Dolly actually appeared at Neyland Stadium in 2023, escorted onto the field by Tennessee and NFL legend Peyton Manning to perform the Volunteer football anthem “Rocky Top”.

Six Flags Darien Lake has a great nighttime show called Laser Light Spectacular. The show takes place on select nights from May 16 to September 6 and starts at 9:15pm on nights the park closes at 9pm. The show takes place in a grass amphitheater near the Boomerang coaster and is nearly 30 minutes long. It uses vibrant lasers, fireworks, fire, water, fog and music transform the night sky into an electrifying experience. This isn’t a formal review, but I walked away impressed as I can’t think of another Six Flags park with a nightly show like this.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay officially opened the all-new Lion & Hyena Ridge on Saturday, July 25th. The new area is massive at 38,000 square feet and houses the largest coalition of lions in an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility. Guests will have the chance to meet lions Pascal, Lou, Hugo, Henri and Herman and hyenas Dazi and Cazi. The exhibit offers incredible 270-degree views of the habitat which mimics an authentic environment with Kopje-style rock formations and naturalistic terrain. Designed to deliver an immersive safari-style experience, Lion & Hyena Ridge features expansive glass viewing areas that offer guests remarkable face-to-face perspectives of the animals. Guests can also explore interactive cave spaces and cross overhead bridges, creating unique vantage points throughout the expansive habitat.