Today Is Dolly Parton Day: Ohio, US Communities Honour Late Star With Literacy Celebrations
Today, September 25, marks Dolly Parton Day across the United States, with Ohio and communities nationwide honouring the late singer’s legacy through celebrations and efforts to promote literacy among children.
The date was chosen as a nod to Parton’s famous “9 to 5” hit. Across the country, cities and states are recognising her contribution to music, philanthropy and children’s literacy.
In Ohio, Parton’s legacy has a strong connection to children through the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides free books to young children. Since the programme expanded into Ohio in 2019, more than one million Ohio children have received books through the initiative.
The programme, created by Parton, sends age-appropriate books to registered children from birth until age five, helping families build home libraries and encouraging children to develop a love of reading from an early age.
Across the U.S., communities are marking Dolly Parton Day with parades, public events, pink lights, book drives and other activities inspired by the singer’s life and charitable work.
Nashville, Tennessee, where Parton lived from the age of 18, is among the communities organising special tributes, while New Orleans and San Francisco are also holding public celebrations.
The Dollywood Foundation is encouraging people to support their local Imagination Library partners or help bring the programme to communities where it is not yet available.
For children and families, Dolly Parton Day offers more than a celebration of a music icon. It also highlights the importance of putting books within children’s reach and creating opportunities for them to discover the joy of reading.
