After her death, communities in the US and around the world, have gathered to celebrate Dolly Parton Day, by playing her music, holding parades, donning pink and promoting community events and reading programs. The date was set for the 25 th of September in honor of Parton’s hit song “9to5”.
The inaugural Dolly Parton day happened about a month after the star’s death at the age of 80. During a long career she had made a name for herself not only as a singer and actor but also as a philanthropist, businesswoman, and advocate for reading among young children. Her Imagination Library sent over 330m free books to children all over the world; the scheme started in 1995.
Nashville, where Parton had established much of her career after arriving in her late teens, became one of the main focus of the festivities. Visitors and residents alike were absorbed into the Dolly-love that the city was spreading by the pink lights and Dolly images on the lampposts, and by the Dolly stickers, buttons, and bookmarks given out to the crowds.
Dolly Day, the broader Nashville festivity, also inspired the citizens businesses musicians, and visitors to join in the festivities by freely giving their selves and time, supporting charities, affecting people’s lives positively, wearing pink, and celebrating Dolly Parton.
A new Dolly-themed license plateearmarked for some local Imagination Library giveawayswas unveiled as well. To close out the festivities, the Marine Corps, stationed atop the 9 to 5 building, planned to set off a fireworks display at 9:25 p.m. Another link was forged between the celebration and Parton wasn’t part of her 9 to 5 image for once.
Other communities held their own events with Dolly Day, like a tribute parade in New Orleans organised by the Krewe of Dolly marching group. This parade took place in the French Quarter before ending at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. This parade added to the music, costumes, and local community traditions to the event in New Orleans.
San Francisco saw a public Dolly Day rally held in Union Square. Based on organizers it was ‘a tribute to Parton’s music, charity, and soul, a boost to the body and the soul with live music and community activity’. So it was not intended as a depressing memorial, but rather an opportunity for people to rejoice in Parton, most especially through music, fancy dress and compassion.
Literacy was another prominent theme. Parton’s Imagination Library was another obvious way that communities could associate their celebrations with her philanthropy. Book donations and literacy activities were promote as a way to spread any work done in her name. Washington State’s King County also reinstated the Imagination Library that week, where all children under 5 could get a free book delivered monthly through a partnership with the Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program.
The holiday spirit spread to the airlines as well. In honor of the occasion, Southwest Airlines revealed that they would be holding Parton-themed karaoke events for both passengers and staff. Also being planned are updates to renaming the Nashville airport.