For those that may have missed the email sent to all hosts on Tuesday afternoon, we wanted to share the important news that Herschend has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Palace Entertainment’s US-based entertainment brands from Parques Reunidos Group. While there is still work to be done before the sale is complete, this represents a significant milestone and is part of our thoughtful growth strategy—allowing us to share our culture and purpose with even more hosts, guests, and communities while ensuring all our parks, attractions, and resorts can create unforgettable memories for generations to come.
What You Need to Know
You are what makes Herschend special, and because of you, we are in a position to grow in a way that honors our values and strengthens our future. I’m grateful to be on this journey with you and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.
-Andrew Wexler, CEO
Herschend
Learn More
Check out Herschend’s New Website | Career Opportunities Across Herschend | GROW U. Free Tuition Program
Watch for an email on April 8 from our partners at Qualtrics, then click the link to take a very brief survey. It will simply ask how likely you are to recommend working at this company to a friend or colleague, and it also provides you an opportunity to share any thoughts you may have with senior leadership.
The survey is open from April 8 through April 21, and it’s administered by Qualtrics, who analyze the responses and share nothing but the results with us. Thank you for helping us constantly improve and make this a great place to work for great people.
Earlier this month, on April 1st, we celebrated the first official Founders Day in honor of Herschend’s 75th Anniversary. Our properties will mark this milestone anniversary throughout the summer. Learn more about Herschend’s storied history from our CEO, Andrew Wexler.
Did you know that Share It Forward assists more than 250 children yearly through its Child Assistance Program (CAP)? CAP provides monthly support to parents who struggle to make ends meet and qualify based on the household income guidelines along with other criteria.
“That is wonderful, and I’m so thankful! This helps my family so much!" – CAP recipient
Samples of expenses that may be covered: Rent, Childcare, School Supplies and Activities, Food, Diapers, Medical or Dental Care.
Hosts can apply online, and new applications are accepted all year. Current recipients need to re-apply each year, assuming eligibility requirements remain met.
The Vancouver Aquarium is honoring its 453 volunteers and practicum students from 2024 who collectively donated more than 33,000 hours. The Aquarium will be showing its appreciation through various events and a special video linked below. Volunteers play an integral role in the guest experience and in creating memories worth repeating at the Vancouver Aquarium.
The WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium is dedicating the entire month to celebrating its incredible volunteers. A Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Event will be held to honor the hard work and commitment of our volunteers, offering them a chance to connect and celebrate. These efforts highlight the WAVE Foundation’s commitment to honoring volunteers and their essential role in advancing Newport Aquarium and WAVE's missions.
Newport Aquarium spread extra love into their community by teaming up with a local soup kitchen to help those in need. Earlier this month, a group of volunteers from the aquarium’s leadership team rolled up their sleeves to make sandwiches for Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen & Social Center in Cincinnati. The team assembled 100 turkey and cheese sandwiches for the soup kitchen’s outreach efforts. The afternoon was filled with smiles and gratitude for the opportunity to lend a helping hand.
Spring has sprung, and our properties are bursting with energy! The Dollywood Company, Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts, and Wild Adventures Theme Park all kicked off the 2025 season just a few weeks ago—each unveiling exciting new experiences designed to create unforgettable memories for our guests.
At Newport Aquarium, the brand-new Jellies: Go with the Flow exhibit is now open following a recent ribbon cutting. A third Pirates Voyage location just set sail in Panama City Beach, and Adventure Aquarium is making waves with the announcement of its newest permanent interactive exhibit, Kaleidoscope Cove, debuting this June.
Even more adventures are on the horizon! Kentucky Kingdom will unveil its all-new land, Discovery Meadow, this May. Plus, a packed lineup of thrilling spring festivals and events across our properties.
To all our incredible hosts—thank YOU for your passion and dedication. You help bring families closer together through these amazing, memory-making experiences.
A letter from a Silver Dollar City guest: "Today was one of the most challenging and heartwarming days we’ve had as a foster family. We took our two little boys to the park, excited for a fun day, but things didn’t go as planned. The moment we arrived, they were overwhelmed—screaming, refusing to get on any rides, and on the verge of a full meltdown. We were exhausted and honestly ready to call it quits.
And then, out of nowhere, your train conductor/robber JR Sapp appeared. He wasn’t even working today, but he saw us struggling and just knew we needed a hand. Before we knew it, he had both boys laughing, riding rides, and actually having fun. He spent over an hour (and counting!) with them, making sure they felt safe and comfortable. We later learned that JR has fostered 77 kids himself over the years—no wonder he has such a special place in his heart for children like ours.
Right now, he’s taking them to look at pocket watches, and I’m standing here in tears, overwhelmed by his kindness. I never expected an employee—especially one on his day off—to go so far out of his way just to make sure our boys felt seen, safe, and happy.
People like JR remind me that there is so much good in the world.”
American Eagle Foundation (AEF) has made its home at Dollywood Theme Park for over 30 years. By hosting the Wings of America free-flying bird show in Craftsman’s Valley, AEF has been able to showcase its mission pillars and educate millions of Dollywood guests on the importance of conserving birds of prey.
As part of their commitment to this longstanding partnership, Dollywood recently opened its 40th Anniversary season, which included new and expanded aviaries for the AEF Wings of America Show Birds. These custom-designed aviaries feature several natural light sources and extensive viewing areas, providing a memorable experience for guests and birds alike!
“Our birds love performing in the Wings of America show, and we’ve seen a tremendous increase in positive bird behaviors since they’ve been in these new aviaries. We’re thankful to partner with the team at Dollywood, which is committed to the highest quality of avian care, “said American Eagle Foundation Executive Director Jessica Hall.
&
Callaway Resort & Gardens host Chuck Smith remembers fondly coming to visit Cason’s Vegetable Garden with his mother, Opal Smith. She was able to sit at the top of the garden and overlook her loved ones, laughing and relaxing, soaking in the beauty of the garden. She cherished the peaceful moments spent there, and some of Chuck’s fondest childhood memories involve Opal and the vegetable garden. Opal was a retired Troup County teacher, just as Chuck is, and she truly valued the mission of education and connecting man and nature.
Chuck, who grew up coming to Callaway and brings his own family now, finds himself back at Cason’s Garden. However, this time, he's actively involved in revamping and supporting its future as a specialty gardener. The garden that once served as a backdrop to his family’s visits is now a central focus of his efforts, as he helps maintain and renew the space for future generations. It’s a full-circle moment for Chuck and his family, one that blends the past with the present as they continue to honor the memories of the garden while working to ensure it thrives for years to come.
For 30 years, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been changing lives—one book, one child, one dream at a time. What started as a small-town promise in Tennessee has grown into a worldwide gift of literacy, inspiring a love of reading in over 270 million children in 5 countries.
Dolly’s vision was simple but powerful: every child deserves the joy of books, no matter where they come from. Today, because of her heart and generosity, and with the help of local program partners across the globe, millions of children have turned their first pages, discovered new worlds, and built brighter futures—one book at a time.
Did you know students in Branson speak over 30 different languages? Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Silver Dollar City Foundation, the Branson School District launched Bridging Worlds: A Bilingual Literacy Adventure—a project that’s breaking down language barriers while celebrating the rich cultural diversity of its students. From Spanish English story times at the Library Center of the Ozarks to dual-language books and multicultural classroom materials in Gujarati, Swahili, and more, the initiative is helping students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
The program culminated with the Festival of Nations at Branson High School. With bounce houses, international food, music, and student honors through Missouri’s Seal of Biliteracy program. Silver Dollar City Foundation is proud to support this ongoing commitment to children and families in the Ozarks.
Students from fifteen Kentucky and Indiana schools will leave their creative mark on the Garden Carousel, formerly Bella Musica, by redesigning and painting a vibrant new look! Kentucky Kingdom staff and a local news station visited Farmer Elementary to check in on the progress of the project. Students were hand painting templates to be delivered to the printer. Once complete, the artwork will be added to the interior trim of the classic ride, which will open to the public on May 10 as a part of the all-new Discovery Meadow.
