Discover Life in America (DLiA) is pleased to present its third annual “Fireflies at Norton Creek: Candlelight Dinner” fundraising event on Friday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. The experience begins with a full-course dinner and craft cocktails at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort and ends in the woodlands of Norton Creek, where guests will experience a guided viewing of the Smokies’ famous synchronous fireflies.

Upon arrival, this year’s guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails and a full bar in the award-winning resort’s exclusive Acoustic Lobby, surrounded by iconic, one-of-a-kind Dolly Parton memorabilia. Then, moving to one of HeartSong’s gorgeous outdoor event spaces, participants will be treated to a full-course candlelight dinner presented by Dollywood’s master chef, Lonny Huot.

After dinner, guests will caravan to a private reserve, where they will witness an incredible natural lightshow, courtesy of the magnificent synchronous fireflies that call Norton Creek home. Norton Creek is a private 2,000-acre residence and property bordering the national park and is a prime location to enjoy this once-a-year firefly mating spectacle. DLiA firefly specialists will be on-site to offer insight and answer questions.

All proceeds from the event help support DLiA, a Gatlinburg-based nonprofit that aims to identify, catalog and observe the park’s estimated 60,000-plus species through its flagship project, the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory.