Kratt brothers return with critters for KidsFest

“Creature adventurers” Martin, left, and Chris Kratt will return to this year’s KidFest at Dollywood, running June 12-Aug. 2.

“Creature adventurers” Martin, left, and Chris Kratt will return to this year’s KidFest at Dollywood, running June 12-Aug. 2.

Wild animals, stage shows, an adventurous ride and giant sand sculptures are part of Dollywood’s annual KidsFest summer celebration.

The festival, one of four major events the Pigeon Forge theme park throws in a season, is June 12-Aug. 2.

Returning to KidsFest are “creature adventurers” and brothers Chris and Martin Kratt. The pair are best known for their animal-focused, child-oriented television series “Be The Creature,” “Zoboomafoo” and “Kratts’ Creatures.”

The Kratt Brothers return their live “Creature Adventures” show to Dollywood, making their second season appearance With them come a number of exotic animals for their shows in the park’s Showstreet Palace.

The brothers’ show was very popular last year, said Dollywood spokesman Pete Owens. The Kratts, who have explored animal habitats around the world, also enjoyed their time in East Tennessee.

“They loved spending time in the Smokies,” Owens said.

This year at Dollywoodd the Kratt Brothers will hold a fan club reunion at Dollywood during the week of July 12, Owens said.

Also new for this year’s KidsFest is a new “4D” ride in the theater that hosted the “Polar Express” ride during the Christmas season.

The new ride is based on the Brendan Fraser film “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” It’s not for the smallest adventurer; riders must be at least 42 inches tall.

KidsFest at Dollywood also includes:

n Two new Imagination Playhouse shows, based on children’s literature. New this year are “Llama Llama Red Pajama” and “Skippyjon Jones.” Dollywood’s Penguin Players will present these two new 20-minute, literature-based musicals as well as its traditional version of the classic “The Little Engine That Could.” “Llama Llama” is about a baby llama and his mother. “Skippyjon Jones” tells about an active Siamese kitten with a big imagination.

n Kamp KidsFest in the Valley Exhibition Hall is a place for animal encounters. The Knoxville Zoo, which brought some zoo creatures to Dollywood for last year’s Kamp KidFest, returns as part of the event.

n The festival’s giant sand sculptures by the Sandscapes company return. This year’s creations will be based on the “Journey to the Center of the Earth” storyline.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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