Dollywood’s Splash Country Hosts Water Safety Day, Joins World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

With summer vacations underway, families throughout East Tennessee are spending much more time in the water. Dollywood’s Splash Country, which celebrates its 15th anniversary season in 2015, hosts Water Safety Day on Thursday, June 18 from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Event partners LeConte Medical Center, The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, WATE-TV and Star 102.1 join Dollywood’s Splash Country to present this exciting event where guests learn about water and sun safety from multiple informational and interactive vendor booths, and also can help set a new world record during the sixth annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) beginning at 10 a.m.

This worldwide swim lesson happens at water parks around the world at 10 a.m. local time. Dollywood’s Splash Country invites swimmers of any age or ability level to take part in the lesson and become part of the Guinness World Record™ attempt. In 2014, water parks from around the world again broke the record for the largest simultaneous swim lesson, standing at 36,564 participants from 22 different countries.

“Last year’s Water Safety Day proved to be a very effective way for LeConte Medical Center and the Dr. Thomas Foundation to provide important health education to the families in our community,” said LeConte Medical Center President/CAO Jenny Hanson. “We are continuing to partner with Dollywood’s Splash County in an effort to keep the children of Sevier County healthy and safe this summer and beyond.”

Dollywood’s Splash Country will open its gates at 9:30 a.m. to allow Water Safety Day participants to begin visiting the information booths. Each participant will receive a Splash Pass upon check-in, allowing them to receive a prize at each booth throughout the water park. Once participants have completed their Splash Pass it can be turned in for the chance to win two season passes to Dollywood’s Splash Country.

“Dollywood’s Splash Country is so proud to be a host location for the WLSL again this year during Water Safety Day,” said Dollywood’s Splash Country General Manager Mike Brown. “Safety, in and out of the water, is our number one concern, and our goal with this event is to educate children and parents alike on how to have a safe but also fun summer!”

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death of children ages one to 14. Research shows that if a child doesn’t learn to swim before the third grade, he or she likely never will. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children ages one to four. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson partners with Dollywood’s Splash Country and other water parks and aquatic facilities around the world to bring this issue to light and to spread the message that swimming lessons save lives.

Water Safety Day and World’s Largest Swimming Lesson registration begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 18 at Dollywood’s Splash Country. The front gate opens to guests at 9:30 a.m. Guests should arrive early to register before the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson begins at 10 a.m. Dollywood’s Splash Country admission is required to participate in Water Safety Day and may be purchased on-site or online at Dollywood.com