Groundbreaking held for Dolly's Pirate Voyage

February 13, 2024

by City of Panama City Beach

Pictured, from left, are: Mayor Mark Sheldon, Tourist Development Council President & CEO Dan Rowe, Captain Blackbeard from the Myrtle Beach, S.C. Pirates Voyage attraction, Pirates Voyage CEO Jack Lawrence, and Cardella Construction Company CEO Frank Cardella.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - (February 8, 2024) Elected City officials, Chamber staff, and members of the business community attended a groundbreaking event for Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show Wednesday morning at west Pier Park. Parton announced in December that she is bringing a 60,000-square-foot pirate-themed dinner theater to Panama City Beach. The theater will seat more than 1,000 spectators and the project brings more than 300 new jobs to the area. Local leaders said the attraction compliments the City's family-friendly brands of World's Most Beautiful Beaches and being a Real. Fun. Beach.

"We are thankful for this investment," Mayor Mark Sheldon said. "This is a gift to Panama City Beach. And for our Real. Fun. Beach., it will be real fun entertainment."

Builder Frank Cardella said his firm is honored to have been selected to build such a complex project.

The attraction is expected to open in mid-2025 and will feature acrobatics, fire acts, mermaids, sword fights, and a four-course meal. Parton has a third location in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.