The moment was met with cheers from the audience, with fans shouting their love to the songstress. Parton performed her song "Celebrate The Dreamer In You" before participating in Dollywood's opening day parade, where she waved to the crowd from a carriage.

Legendary singer Dolly Parton celebrated the 40th anniversary of her theme park, Dollywood, amongst a crowd of fans Friday in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Parton’s public appearance at the event marks her first since the death of her husband,

Dolly Parton made her first public appearance on Friday, less than two weeks after the death of her husband Carl Dean. The country music icon, 79, surprised fans at Dollywood's 40th season opening ceremony in Pigeon Forge,