Good golly, Miss Dolly Parton! While the country music legend may no longer be with us, America is making sure her extraordinary legacy is celebrated in true Dolly Parton fashion: loudly, joyfully, and with enough sparkle to be visible from space.
Cities across the country are pulling out the rhinestones, dusting off the wigs, and preparing to celebrate Dolly Parton in the only way that feels appropriate: loudly, joyfully, and with enough sparkle to be visible from space.
Dolly passed away on August 25 at age 80, leaving behind a seven-decade career filled with unforgettable music, acting, philanthropy, humor, and enough fabulous fashion to keep sequins employed for generations.
And now comes 9/25. Yes, darling. September 25.
Why 9/25? Because Dolly, Obviously
The date is a cheeky little calendar wink to Dolly’s 1980 anthem “9 to 5,” the song she wrote for the movie of the same name. Nine-to-five workers have complained about their jobs for decades. Dolly simply gave them a fabulous soundtrack.
Now, communities around the country are transforming September 25 into a day dedicated to the woman who made working overtime sound almost glamorous.
Manhattan Borough has officially proclaimed September 25 as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day, recognizing her enormous cultural legacy and philanthropic contributions.
New Orleans has also formally declared September 25 in honor of Dolly, because apparently the city that gave us Mardi Gras was not going to miss an opportunity for a Dolly-sized celebration.
Frankly, if there is a city capable of turning a Dolly tribute into an event involving feathers, sequins, cocktails, and at least one person dressed as a rhinestone cowboy, New Orleans is probably it.
READ: Dolly Parton Dies at 80, Leaving a Legacy That Will Always Love Us
Dolly Day Is Going Coast to Coast
Lexington, Kentucky, is getting particularly festive. Lexington Parks & Recreation is hosting a free celebration at Moondance Amphitheater, with music, activities, food and drinks, and a chance for the community to celebrate Dolly’s life and legacy.
And because Dolly would presumably never want a party without a little giving back, donations will benefit Dolly’s Imagination Library, the literacy program she founded that provides free books to children.
California has gone full governmental Dolly stan, too. Senate Bill 931 established statewide recognition of September 25 as Dolly Parton Day, honoring her contributions to music, literacy, philanthropy, and communities.
Meanwhile, several East Tennessee jurisdictions are joining the celebration. Cocke County, among others, has designated September 25 in Dolly’s honor.
Montgomery County, Texas, has also issued a formal county proclamation recognizing the day.
So, essentially, Dolly Day is spreading across America like glitter on a nightclub floor. You can clean it up, but you are never getting all of it.
Nashville Wants to Take It to the Airport
And then there is Nashville, where some people apparently looked at Dolly Parton Day and thought, “Cute. But what if we renamed an entire airport?” Shortly after Dolly’s death, a Change.org petition began circulating to rename Nashville International Airport Dolly Parton International Airport.
By August 28, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee had announced a partnership with the airport, also known as BNA, to explore changing its name in Dolly’s honor. Lee had also spoken with Parton’s team, who indicated they were open to continuing the conversation.
The proposal still has some hurdles to clear.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority currently has a policy requiring a two-year waiting period after someone’s death before considering a naming request. Its policy also calls for the person being honored to have a connection to aviation.
And therein lies the problem.
Dolly could sing. Dolly could act. Dolly could write. Dolly could build an empire. Dolly could probably make a paper bag look couture. But pilot? Not exactly her lane.
The Metro Nashville Airport Authority is scheduled to discuss the proposal on September 17, and it would need to consider waiving both requirements. Although we’re quite certain that with Miss Parton’s contribution to culture, time in the sky won’t be a necessary requirement.
Put on the Rhinestones
Whether Nashville ultimately gets a Dolly Parton International Airport or simply a very determined group of fans remains to be seen. But the 9/25 celebrations are already making one thing clear: Dolly’s legacy is not going to be remembered quietly.
She gave us music, movies, books, laughter, compassion, big hair, bigger personality, and a particular kind of Southern glamour that has inspired everyone from country fans to drag queens.
So on September 25, pour yourself something sparkly, put on your biggest hair, find the nearest rhinestone, and celebrate. Because Dolly Parton spent her life reminding us that kindness is never out of fashion, hard work deserves a soundtrack, and there is absolutely no such thing as too much sparkle.
Good golly, Miss Dolly. We’re keeping the party going.