NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the Grand Ole Opry prepares to celebrate its 93rd birthday this weekend, Nashville Mayor David Briley, Opry member Jeannie Seely, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. Chairman and CEO Colin Reed, and Opry Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Pete Weien showcased the first phase of a $12 million Grand Ole Opry Complex expansion with a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday (10/11).
The expansion project announced last fall adds to the Opry guests’ experience through several additions and enhancements, including a larger 5,000-square-foot retail footprint and a new box office. The project also includes a new parking area featuring 1,100 surface parking spaces on undeveloped land just north of the Opry House, adding a convenient parking option for Opry guests and providing the public with additional parking during peak times.
Plans were also revealed today for a new state-of-the-art Opry House backstage tour theater and VIP event space to open in Spring 2019. The 100-seat space will feature a new backstage tour film to begin production in January and to include new Opry member interviews and performances as well as highlights from the Opry’s vast video and audio archives.
By night, the new space will transform into a VIP guest experience available to Opry-goers and featuring food and beverage options as well as pre-show entertainment and the opportunity to meet an artist scheduled for the evening’s performance.
Seely is among the artists scheduled to perform in celebration of the Opry’s birthday this weekend. Among others coming to the Opry this weekend and in future weeks are Trace Adkins, Alabama, Kelsea Ballerini, Terri Clark, Luke Combs, Charlie Daniels Band, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Pam Tillis, Carrie Underwood, and more.