Inside the Grand Opening of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee

If you've ever wondered what happens when Tennessee hospitality meets one of country music's most recognizable names, the grand opening of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop delivered exactly that.

On Wednesday, June 24, visitors poured into Cornersville from across Tennessee and beyond to celebrate the official opening of Dolly Parton's newest venture. Some had planned the trip for months. Others happened to be traveling Interstate 65 and decided to stop when they saw the excitement. By the end of the day, thousands of guests had explored the property, sampled local food, browsed exclusive merchandise, admired the artwork, and created memories with family and friends.

Nashville Smile Bar was honored to be part of the week-long celebration, photographing guests during both the official grand opening on Wednesday and the continued festivities on Friday. Throughout the event, visitors stepped in front of Britt Flood's colorful mural to capture a keepsake from opening week. By the end of our time there, we had photographed more than 700 portraits, preserving memories for an estimated 2,000+ smiling guests.

A Tennessee Celebration

Long before the official ribbon cutting, excitement filled the property. Guests lined up outside while food trucks prepared for the lunch rush, a merchandise truck welcomed eager Dolly fans, and visitors wandered the grounds taking in every detail of the newest destination along I-65.

What could have been a simple travel stop opening instead felt like a community celebration. Families posed together. Friends reunited. Travelers who had simply been passing through found themselves joining one of Tennessee's biggest grand openings of the year.

A Work of Art Designed to Be Experienced

One of the first things visitors noticed was the breathtaking mural overlooking the property.

Titled Butterfly Lullaby (Mountain Gospel), the nearly 40-foot-wide mural was created by Southern artist Britt Flood. The artwork beautifully blends the rolling farmland surrounding Cornersville with the silhouette of the Great Smoky Mountains—a tribute to both the local landscape and Dolly Parton's East Tennessee roots.

Perhaps the most remarkable detail is that Flood intentionally designed the mural to be interactive. Rather than simply serving as a backdrop, it invites visitors to step into the center and become part of the artwork themselves.

Throughout the day, that's exactly what happened. Hundreds of families, couples, motorcycle riders, grandparents, children, and friends stepped into the mural, creating portraits that became part of the artwork's story just as much as their own.

A Bus Inspired by a Lifetime on the Road

Another crowd favorite was the beautifully designed coach inspired by Dolly Parton's legendary touring career.

With butterflies, musical notes, vibrant colors, and Dolly's unmistakable style woven throughout the design, the bus quickly became one of the day's most popular photo destinations. Guests patiently waited their turn, excited to capture a keepsake beside one of the event's most recognizable displays.

Every Portrait Told a Different Story

One of the things we love most about photographing public events is that no two groups are ever alike.

Every few minutes someone new stepped in front of the camera. A family celebrating together. A couple on a road trip. Motorcycle riders making a stop. Grandparents visiting with grandchildren. Pageant contestants. Lifelong Dolly fans. Travelers who had stumbled upon the celebration by chance.

Although many of the portraits were taken in front of the same mural or bus, every photograph reflected a different story, a different personality, and a different reason for remembering the day.

While guests left with a finished portrait, this short behind-the-scenes video offers a glimpse of what the experience looked like from our side of the camera. Throughout opening week, one group after another stepped in front of Britt Flood's colorful mural, sharing smiles, laughter, and memories before heading off to explore the rest of the celebration. It's a simple moment, but one that captures the energy of the day better than words ever could.

Why Experiences Like This Matter

At Nashville Smile Bar, we believe the best event photography does more than document who attended. It creates an experience guests remember long after the event is over.

Throughout the day, every portrait was delivered digitally, allowing guests to share their memories almost instantly with family and friends. Watching people smile as they saw their finished portraits was every bit as rewarding as taking the photographs themselves.

Whether it's a grand opening, community festival, corporate activation, or private celebration, the goal is always the same: create something people genuinely want to keep.

Thank You, Cornersville

Being invited to document such a meaningful day was an honor. We'd like to thank everyone who stepped in front of our camera, shared a laugh, struck a pose, or simply stopped by to say hello.

Congratulations to everyone who helped bring Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop to life. We have no doubt it will become a favorite stop for travelers from across the country for years to come, and we're grateful Nashville Smile Bar had the opportunity to help preserve a small piece of its opening day history.