There’s no shortage of springtime sights, sounds and flavors this year at Dollywood’s award-winning Flower & Food Festival presented by Covenant Health (April 19 - June 9, 2024). From the vibrant hues of the Umbrella Sky to the floral-scented air filled with live music, you won’t find a better way to celebrate the season’s arrival in the Smokies. And our Dollywood Chefs have been busy in the kitchen this year, crafting a variety of new dishes that capture the essence of the season. There’s no better way to experience it all than with a Tasting Pass!
The Flower & Food Festival Tasting Pass is your culinary passport through the park, allowing you to explore up to five festival food offerings, including all-new dishes, small bites, sweet treats and specialty sips, for one price.
My Top New Tasting Pass Picks
It’s hard to narrow down all the mouthwatering new food items to just five, but here’s how I will use my Tasting Pass at this year’s Flower & Food Festival!
- Honey Garlic Chicken Skillet: I’m starting in Market Square with this sizzling skillet selection featuring grilled fajita-style chicken, zesty honey garlic sauce, smoked paprika potatoes and pickled red onions.
- Honey BBQ Ribs: Next, I’m heading to Rivertown Junction for these delectable dry-rubbed and smoked St. Louis-style pork ribs topped with honey BBQ sauce and served with crinkle-cut dill pickles, cole slaw and Texas toast.
- Dragonfly Lemonade: I’m staying in Rivertown Junction for a while and sipping on this boba lemonade treat, flavored with mango, dragonfruit, lemon and a touch of mint.
- Toasted Grove Cheese Melt: Now, I’m making my way up to Wildwood Grove for a unique twist on an old classic, combining provolone and Swiss cheeses are combined with pickled red onion on goat butter toasted sourdough bread with a Boursin spread.
- Lemonade Cupcake: I always have to end my day with something sweet, so my last stop is theSpotlight Bakery on Showstreet, where I’m grabbing this lemon-flavored cake and icing topped with candied lemon zest.
Returning Favorites
While I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s new offerings, I can’t forget about a few of our returning favorites!
- Garlic Shrimp Mac & Cheese: Found in the Seasonal Culinary Booth in Rivertown Junction, this white cheddar mac & cheese is topped with shrimp and garlic butter.
- Honey, Lavender & Berry Funnel Cake: Atop a freshly fried funnel cake, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries are smothered with honey, fresh whipped cream and edible orchids at Crossroads Funnel Cake in Rivertown Junction.
- Superfood Quinoa Salad Bowl: In Market Square, this lighter option is a combination of quinoa, baby spinach, garbanzo beans, grape tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers and pickled onions, mixed with a tangy cilantro lime dressing.
- Pistachio Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich: The crowd-pleasing ice cream treat is available at Showstreet Ice Cream and starts with a chocolate-dipped Belgian waffle coated with chopped pistachios, then filled with your choice of ice cream.
All the Delicious Details
The Tasting Pass includes five different festival food offerings at a price of $39.99. Gold and Diamond Season Passholders are eligible for a discounted rate of $36.99.
You can start your Tasting Pass journey a few different ways.
- Online: You can purchase online at Dollywood.com up to 24 hours before you arrive. Then, once you enter the park, you can redeem your digital voucher for a lanyard pass at Showstreet Ice Cream.
- In Person: Buy a Tasting Pass upon your arrival at the park. Visit any Ticketing Booth at the Front Gate or any Flower & Food Festival Culinary locations. You’ll receive your lanyard at the same time you purchase.
- By Phone: You can get your Tasting Pass as part of a Dollywood resort reservation or by calling Guest Services prior to your visit to add on to an existing reservation. Once you arrive, head to Showstreet Ice Cream to pick up your lanyard.
We’re so excited to welcome you to spring in the Great Smoky Mountains at the Flower & Food Festival beginning April 19, and we can’t for you to enjoy all the fresh flavors we’ve been cookin’ up!
Learn More
