Exciting Silver Dollar City updates shared at Fan Fest

On Saturday, September 19, Silver Dollar City hosted a special Fan Fest for VIPs and season passholders, to share the inside scoop on the latest updates, progress on the new Miners Mountain Express family roller coaster experience, and a preview of what’s to come in 2027. 

Following some great opening bluegrass music by the City’s own Kinfolk Bluegrass Band, the City used the underground cave and mining theme along with some of its favorite wacky local characters to create the setting for the announcements. This time, it was Ms. Tilly from the Silver Dollar Saloon, along with Choctaw Charlie, discussing why the stage setting involved cannons—not just one, but two—with hints that Mayor Brad Thomas might be in for a surprise. 

Thomas had his own special announcements to share. After welcoming and thanking those in attendance, he encouraged them to experience the upcoming Harvest Fest, Pumpkins in the City featuring family-friendly carved pumpkins, and a wonderful fall showcase of American craftsmanship. Also, Ozark Mountain Christmas will kick off November 7 with more lights than ever and another huge Grand Fir tree coming to the City Plaza. He also reminded fans to take advantage of the final days to make memories riding Thunderation—while also anticipating the new street, Daredevil Pass, that will connect the park’s large coasters including Miners Mountain Express, based on actual stories of 1880’s miners and their adventures. 

Other announcements included a sneak preview of the upcoming Christmas parade, “Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights,” with new friends and old—don’t worry, Rudolph isn’t going away! 

Brandei Clifton and Sawyer Nichols of the SDC public relations team then took the stage to share more things to look forward to for the remainder of the fall season and coming next spring. All the favorite festivals will be returning, including a longer bluegrass festival, but there will also be an all new festival featuring some great comfort cooking—chicken and waffles may have been mentioned, along with biscuits and gravy—as well as a new show featuring the history of country music. The Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company partnership will again be a feature at the Plaza. 

Joey Thorsen of the content team shared even more updates, including something about the favorite 1917 lunchbox treat of the Marvel Cave miners that just might find its way into the City’s kids’ meals, before he was surprised by Tilly and Charley trying to sneak some TNT past Sagebrush Sadie. 

Brad Thomas returned to the stage to share some beautiful photos of the new Silver Dollar City resort. He emphasized the goal of Herschend Family Entertainment of making this a wonderful spot for families to reflect on the history of the area while making history of their own; and to help that happen, he also announced “throwback pricing, back to the park’s lowest season pass pricing in five years, with special discounts and a 10-month interest-free payment plan. Check the website and social media, or watch your email if you’re a current passholder, for the special pricing through November 2. 

We at the Globe appreciate HFEC, SDC and the Silver Dollar City Foundation and all they do for our surrounding communities. This fun and entertaining Fan Fest, including more great music and comedy, can be viewed on YouTube; and there’s a lot of the 2026 season left to enjoy and lots to look forward to in 2027. See you there!