Roughly a month after Dolly Parton’s death, Coloradans are invited to gather across the state to celebrate her life and legacy with storytimes, live music, children’s activities and plenty of Dolly-inspired flair.
Imagination Library of Colorado and its local affiliates will host “Dolly Day Colorado” from September 25-27. The statewide events will commemorate Parton’s music and storytelling while highlighting the childhood literacy program she founded, which provides free books to children from birth to age 5.
Parton died August 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, according to her publicist. Her career spanned music, film, television and philanthropy, but her literacy work became one of her most far-reaching philanthropic efforts.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has mailed more than 300 million books to children around the world, providing children from birth to age 5 with a free, age-appropriate book mailed to their homes each month. The program began more than 30 years ago and has continued to expand since then, giving children access to books before they enter kindergarten.
“There are children learning to love books today because of an idea Dolly had more than 30 years ago,” says Jack Tate, chief executive officer of Imagination Library of Colorado. “There will be children who have not even been born yet whose first books will arrive in their mailbox because of her.”
In Colorado, more than 92,000 children currently receive a free book each month through Imagination Library of Colorado, which has mailed more than 3.4 million books to children in the state since 2021.
“Dolly Parton’s belief that every child deserves the opportunity to fall in love with reading has created a lasting legacy for children and families around the world,” says Lisa Roy, executive director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. “Through Imagination Library of Colorado, more children across our state are growing up with books of their own and the joy, connection, and possibilities that come with them.”
The celebrations will begin September 25, a date fans have dubbed “Dolly Day” in reference to Parton’s 1980 hit “9 to 5.” In Denver, Imagination Library of Colorado will host a free family event called “Colorado Loves Dolly!” at Governor’s Park from 3 to 7 p.m. in partnership with the Office of Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.
The Denver event will include storytimes, children’s activities, live entertainment, games and Dolly-inspired art projects. Families can also learn about the Imagination Library and enroll eligible children in the program.
Dolly-inspired costumes are encouraged, with prizes for some of the best looks. Organizers are also offering a special prize for the 925th Dolly look-alike to enter the event.
“There is no better way to celebrate the life and legacy of Dolly Parton than coming together over good music and kids learning with your sparkling rhinestones, cowboy boots and hats, big hair and children’s books,” says Governor Jared Polis.
Other celebrations will take place around Colorado throughout the weekend. Local Imagination Library affiliates are partnering with restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, libraries, schools and arts organizations to host events ranging from storytimes and fundraisers to live music, specialty drinks and Dolly look-alike contests.
The celebrations come as communities around the country continue to commemorate Parton following her death. Imagination Library of Colorado has also encouraged people who want to honor Parton to support the literacy work she started, saying the program will continue after her death.
“Dolly Day Colorado is an opportunity to celebrate [Parton’s] legacy and the simple but powerful idea that putting a book in a child’s hands can help open the door to a lifetime of learning,” says Roy.
