Hersheypark Faces Backlash Over Misstep Amid Dolly Parton's Passing

Pennsylvania’s Hersheypark theme park has responded to backlash over an ill-timed social media post following the death of Dolly Parton.

“We join the millions mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, whose generosity, talent and spirit touched so many,” a park spokesperson told People in a statement on Wednesday, August 26. “A member of our social media team noticed inaccurate pricing information about Hersheypark within a post and intended to respond directly just to that individual to correct it, not realizing the reply would appear as a response to a conversation about Dollywood. It was removed as soon as we recognized the context. We sincerely apologize for any insensitivity.”

Hersheypark faced controversy on the same day as the singer’s death at age 80 on Tuesday, August 25, for responding to a fan crediting Parton for keeping “prices reasonable in this economy” for her own theme park, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.