The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park highlights three-quarters of a century of hard work protecting this National Treasure. There will be many events year round celebrating the last seventy-five years, including a free concert by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, a rededication ceremony at Newfound Gap and a variety of celebrations in the various surrounding communities.
 
Dolly Parton will serve as the Ambassador during this year long celebration of the Smokies. "The Smokies are part of my DNA." Parton said, "I have always been an Ambassador, but I am particularly honored to become "official" for this special 75th Anniversary." As well as serving as Ambassador, Dolly Parton has also written a new full-length album entitled "Sha-Kon-O-Hey", which is the phonetic spelling for the Cherokee word, "Shaconage", meaning Land of the Blue Smoke. All proceeds of which will be donated to The Great Smoky Mountains National park.
 
Events celebrating Great Smoky Mountains National Park's 75th anniversary are planned throughout 2009 in the park and in communities surrounding the mountains.