Dolly Parton Day will be observed on Sept. 25 with community events and a focus on literacy through Parton’s Imagination Library.
The Story
Friday, Sept. 25, is officially Dolly Parton Day, a date chosen to reference the singer’s career-defining song “9 to 5.” The day will be marked internationally following Parton’s death from cancer last month at age 80, with communities and organizations highlighting her decades-long work as a performer, songwriter, actor, philanthropist and businesswoman.
Parton’s philanthropic legacy is central to how the day is being celebrated. Her Imagination Library program, designed to improve early literacy, has expanded widely since it began. The program has sent more than a million books each month to children in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia, and organizers are encouraging people to support local partners or help start new programs in their communities.
In Nashville, where Parton has lived since she was 18, the city is planning a remembrance that includes pink lights and promotional materials, along with the distribution of stickers, buttons and bookmarks. In the United States, state and local leaders in other places have also been designating Sept. 25 as an annual Dolly Parton Day, with proclamations underscoring both Parton’s career and what supporters describe as her lifelong commitment to promoting literacy.
Transportation and entertainment efforts are also part of the observance. Southwest Airlines has announced it will host a Parton-inspired karaoke event on Friday for travellers and employees. In Nashville, meanwhile, Tennessee state and local officials are in the process of renaming an airport after Parton, reflecting her connection to the city and her influence there, as described by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
Across the country, event organizers are linking Parton’s legacy to public gatherings. In New Orleans, the Krewe of Dolly is set to lead a parade through the city’s French Quarter. In San Francisco, organizers are planning a public event called “Dolly Day,” described as a celebration of life featuring singing, dressing up and encouraging people to be “a little kinder than usual” in Parton’s honour.
For people who want to participate while still working a typical schedule, the Imagination Library theme offers an at-home option. The program’s supporters are asking the public to donate directly to a local Imagination Library partner on Dolly Parton Day, or to help establish a new local program. The Dollywood Foundation is directing people to ImaginationLibrary.com, where a ZIP code search can identify nearby partners.
Beyond donations, organizers are also encouraging people to mark the day through style and music. Parton was known for flamboyant, sequined outfits, big hair and signature pink looks, and some of her admirers are leaning into that aesthetic with pink-themed attire and activities. Suggestions include wearing something sparkly or choosing a butterfly-themed accessory, reflecting Parton’s frequent use of butterflies in her songs and imagery.
Music remains a widely endorsed way to observe the day, with Parton’s discography highlighted by several of her best-known hits, including “9 to 5,” “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Supporters say the celebration is meant to connect listeners not only to her performances, but also to her expressed wish that her work would endure while encouraging efforts to “do some good.”
Tattoo artists and other local service providers are also being included in some of the day’s plans, with some offering Dolly-inspired tattoos on Friday. Other simpler ways to participate, organizers say, can include playing Parton albums throughout the day or choosing an accessory such as a butterfly clip as a nod to her symbolism. For Canadians, the literacy focus remains the most broadly applicable component, since Imagination Library operates in Canada as well and directs support through local partners.
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