Dixie Stampede drops ‘Dixie’ from name

World Choice Investments LLC is rebranding its  Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede show it operates in partnership with Herschend Family Entertainment Corp.

Starting with the 2018 season, the dinner show will be known as Dolly Parton’s Stampede, according to a news release.

“Our shows currently are identified by where they are located,” Dolly Parton said in the release. “We also recognize that attitudes change and feel that by streamlining the names of our shows, it will remove any confusion or concerns about our shows and will help our efforts to expand into new cities.”

Operating currently in Branson and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dolly Parton’s Stampede is scheduled to reopen in late January for its 2018 season that goes through early spring. The rodeo dinner show is known for its horse-riding performers decked out in red, white and blue, as well as large dinner offerings such as whole rotisserie chicken dishes.

The rebranding effort comes alongside plans to expand the dinner show to other locations.

“There is interest in several parts of the United States and internationally to host one of our unique dinner attraction shows,” World Choice Investments CEO Jim Rule said in the release. “Our desire to expand coupled with our desire to stay relevant in today’s changing world led us to simplify our shows’ names.”

“Dixie” refers to “states of the southeastern and south central U.S. and especially those which constituted the Confederate States of America,” according to Merriam-Webster.

Fans did not take well to the news on social media. On Facebook posts showing the name change to Dolly Parton’s Stampede, myriad commenters said they would no longer visit the attraction.