Pour yourself a cup of ambition this coming Friday, as Dolly is getting her own day.
Dozens of municipalities and one state have declared September 25th Dolly Parton Day, a celebration timed to the date’s nod to Parton’s beloved hit song, “9 to 5.”
While Tennessee, Parton’s home state, already recognizes January 19th — her birthday — as Dolly Parton Day, and is looking to add a September 25th “9 to 5 Day,” California became the first state to officially establish Sept. 25 as an annual Dolly Parton Day.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 931 by Senators Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), which establishes Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in California.
“We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly,” Newsom said in a statement. “Be kind, be humble, and have some fun…Be a diamond in a rhinestone world. With this bill, we are not just establishing a day to celebrate Dolly Parton, we are creating an annual reminder to us, every year, to live the way she did — joyfully, graciously, and with a whole lot of heart.”
In each of the proclamations declaring Dolly Parton Day on Sept. 25, California, cities and counties have not only recognized Parton’s work as an entertainer, but many are putting a spotlight on Parton’s advocacy for literacy. Her Imagination Library, which launched in 1995 and has distributed over 330 million free books worldwide, is highlighted in almost every declaration.
Across the country, celebrations will be held to honor the late singer.
Nashville will honor Parton with pink lights and Dolly posters across the city, according to the official website for the city. The website also states that Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will donate all proceeds on Sept. 25 from their Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk to the Nashville Public Library and the Imagination Library.
A daytime celebration filled with live music and more will also be held on Sept. 25 in San Francisco’s Union Square.
New Orleans-based marching group, Krewe of Dolly, will lead a parade through the French Quarter and end at the New Orleans Jazz Museum to celebrate Parton.
While there is no celebration here in Southeast Asia, one can still join in on the festivities. Simply blast your favourite Dolly Parton songs, read to your children, and wear your best glittery outfit.
