PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Dollywood is celebrating 40 years, and one of its employees shared her journey through the park over the decades.

Kaeren Dykes humorously shared with News Channel 11 that she and Dolly Parton arrived at the park together as she conducted a candlemaking demonstration at Old Flame Candles.

Dykes has been with Dollywood since 1986 when the theme park transitioned its name from Silver Dollar City. Initially working as a candy maker, she switched to candlemaking around 35 years ago to maintain a winter job, as opportunities for women at that time were scarce.

“That’s one thing about Dollywood; it feels just like family,” Dykes stated. “When I first started working here, it was much smaller, and you felt like you knew everyone. But now, with so many employees, it’s challenging to know them all.”

Dykes spends her day working with hot wax, adding color and carving unique candles for park guests.

“We don’t have any particular design or pattern that we carve,” Dykes said. “We usually just start out carving and whatever comes out, that’s what we have.”

Customers interested in a type of candle who want them in other colors can bring an example over for reference so Dykes and other candlemakers can get to work.