AMERICAN CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT COMES TO DOLLYWOOD’S SPLASH COUNTRY

Event organizers looking for 160 teams to compete for cash prize

​PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (July 31, 2018)—Pool time and cornhole is a winning combination. Never has that been truer than now as American Cornhole Organization (ACO) Champions are coming to Dollywood’s Splash Country to compete in the debut of the ACO Dollywood Classic for a guaranteed $7500 total prize purse!
 
Fresh off their world championship bid last weekend in Montgomery, Alabama, several professional teams turn their attention to their next test during the debut event at Dollywood’s Splash Country. The water park hosts this sanctioned tournament on Saturday, Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Event organizers are looking for 160 two-person teams to play in the double-elimination tournament, and while there are a number of ACO teams planning to play, the field is not set. Officials with the ACO say there is room for the general public to register and join the star-studded competition. Teams can register by visiting this link: https://www.squadup.com/events/aco-dollywood-cornhole-classic.
 
The cash payout allows the opportunity for several teams to walk away with a prize and bragging rights. For round one, there will be 16 flights of up to 10 players. After double-elimination, the top two teams from each flight will win $100. That’s a total payout of $3,200 from the first round. Those winning 32 teams will advance to the finals, and in that championship round, the top eight teams will win cash. First prize is $1,500; Second prize is $1,000; Third prize is $500.
 
Participants will play under a tent on the pool deck while park guests can enjoy watching the action from a tube in Mountain Waves wave pool, or even closer if they like! All the tournament activity adds even more excitement to Dollywood’s Splash Country’s fun summer atmosphere.
 
The cost is $45 per team and includes registration, processing and admission into Dollywood’s Splash Country. There also is a special $40 ticket for guests to purchase at the gate Aug. 11 so they may check out the tournament as they enjoy the water park.

The American Cornhole Organization is looking forward to bringing the sport to Dollywood, and Dollywood’s Splash Country General Manager Janet Dawson says her team is eager to play host. “What a fun opportunity! Families are coming to our water park to capitalize on summer fun in the sun and if they come on Aug. 11, they’ll get the bonus of seeing some of the world’s best compete for a lot of money and bragging rights in a sanctioned cornhole tournament,” Dawson said excitedly. “Our guests may even decide to enter the tournament and take on these champions. You never know what could happen!”
 
Dollywood’s Splash Country is open daily through Sunday, August 12. After that, the park shifts operations to Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends with the last day being Labor Day (Sept. 3). For more information about Dollywood’s Splash Country or any of The Dollywood Company properties, please visit www.dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
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About The Dollywood Company:   A highly-awarded and widely-recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 150-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa; and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of more than 30 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 26 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which celebrated record attendance in 2017. Dollywood was named a top three US theme park by USA Today in 2014 and 2017. Dollywood is open nine months a year (late March through early January) and offers rides and attractions, shows, and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks and named 2009’s Must-See Waterpark by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, operates from mid-May to Labor Day. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa provides guests spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking Dollywood. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

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