Washington, Sept. 18 -- Country music legend Dolly Parton was unable to attend a major event at her Dollywood theme park in Tennessee due to a kidney stone and subsequent infection, but the 79-year-old still made her presence felt virtually as the park unveiled its next big attraction--Night Flight Expedition, a ride set to open in 2026, E! News reported.

Addressing fans in a video message during the ceremony, Parton explained her absence. "Hello Dollywood! It's me," Dolly said in a video shared during the unveiling ceremony. "I know--and I'm here, and you're there. And you're wondering why that is? Well, I had a little problem. Turned out it'd given me an infection," Dolly continued, "and the doctor said, 'You don't need to be travellin...