Pour yourself a cup of ambition because it’s almost time to get out and celebrate the legendary Dolly Parton!
There’s a statewide push to designate Sept. 25 as “9 to 5 Day” in honor of Parton – who died Aug. 25 – and her classic hit song “9 to 5.” Some places in East Tennessee, including her home Sevier County, have already proclaimed the day as “Dolly Parton Day.”
Several Parton-inspired events and initiatives are planned around Knoxville on Sept. 25 including neighborhood celebrations, ways to give back and even the opportunity to get unique Dolly tattoos.
If you know of other events in honor of “Dolly Parton Day” on Sept. 25, send them to Devarrick.Turner@knoxnews.com.
Special ‘Dolly Parton Day’ events and sales
Dolly Parton-themed tattoos
Parton had a few “discreet” pastel-colored tattoos and body art to hide scars
on her pale skin. At least two local tattoo shops are offering Dolly-inspired flash sales on Sept. 25
Idle Hands Tattoo
- Dolly-inspired flash tattoos starting at $100
- Special pricing on Dolly-inspired body jewelry
- Service is by walk-in only and first come, first served.
- A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Imagination Library.
- Hours | 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Address | 7419 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville
Knoxville Tattoo Collective
- Dolly-inspired flash tattoos
- 25% discount on select ear piercings
- Enter a raffle to win 1 free Parton portrait tattoo; 1 free palm-sized tattoo; 1 free piercing
- All raffle proceeds will be donated to the Dollywood Foundation with the intention of funds going toward local disaster relief.
- Hours | Noon-8 p.m.
- Address | 3113 Lakemoor View Road and 3103 Alcoa Highway in Knoxville
Edgewood Park
The Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association in North Knoxville is celebrating Parton’s life and legacy beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25. The event will feature:
- Free children's books
- Bring your own books for a book swap
- Free ice cream
- Lawn games
- Music (including karaoke with Parton songs)
- A cardboard cutout of Parton for photos
The association also will be collecting donations for the Imagination Library of Knox County.
‘Give Like Dolly Day’
The Dollywood Foundation has declared Sept. 25 as “Give Like Dolly Day,” a global day dedicated to supporting local Imagination Library programs and honoring Parton’s lifelong commitment to children and philanthropy.
“For Dolly, giving was always personal and from her heart. She believed deeply in helping people, especially children, and she always felt if you are in a position to help, you should help,” Dollywood Foundation President Jeff Conyers said in a statement.
Parton launched the free book program Imagination Library in 1995 to promote childhood literacy. Over 330 million free books have been given worldwide to kids up 5 years old as of Sept. 17, according to the Imagination Library website.
Morristown Landing
Get dressed in your best Dolly-inspired look (or anything pink) and enjoy Morristown Landing’s Dolly Day Tribute 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 25. The event will feature:
- Dolly Parton look-a-like contest
- Children’s story times
- Photobooth
- Parton music all day long
Passes are $5 and partial proceeds will go to the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.
Rhinestone Clock-Out Party
The Casual Pint in Northshore is throwing a “A Rhinestone Clock-Out Party” Sept. 25 with live music, Dolly-themed drinks and a keepsake board. Rhinestones, boots and big hair are “highly encouraged,” according to the invite. If you wear a butterfly, you’ll get $1 off your first pint.
The “clock-out party” begins at 5 p.m. The Casual Pint is at 2045 Thunderhead Road.
Sevier County ‘Dolly Parton Day’ proclamation
Sevier County, the cities of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, and the town of Pittman Center will jointly proclaim Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day.
A special signing ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on the steps of the historic Sevier County Courthouse, located at 125 Court Ave. in Sevierville. Leaders from Sevier County and the participating cities will be there.
Under the proclamation, Dolly Parton Day will be celebrated in the county on Sept. 25 every year. Residents, businesses, organizations, schools and visitors throughout Sevier County are encouraged to celebrate in their own ways and, “most importantly, to dream big, work hard, care for others, give generously, and never forget where you come from,” according to a joint press release.
Other ways to celebrate Dolly Parton on 9/25
Cocke County Dolly Parton Day
As his last official act as Cocke County mayor, Rob Mathis proclaimed Sept. 25 of each year to be Dolly Parton Day in the county.
The day recognizes Parton’s “remarkable life, her enduring commitment to service and generosity, and her love for Appalachia, and her compassion for the people of Cocke County and East Tennessee.”
Parton visited Cocke County to personally donate $1 million to provide immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims in 2024. Parton’s East Tennessee businesses, including Dollywood, donated an additional $1 million.
Dollywood
Parton’s theme park is a perfect place to celebrate the icon on Dolly Parton Day. The park has not announced any special events for Sept. 25, but it does have memorial walls set up for people to pay tribute to Parton. And The Dolly Parton Experience tells the story of Parton’s life, career and clothes.
Also, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival has kicked off. The festival features the Great Pumpkin LumiNights experience, fall décor, thousands of carved pumpkins and several entertainment options. Plus, the park’s newest indoor ride NightFlight Expedition is open.
The Tomato Head
Throughout September, the Knoxville restaurant is donating proceeds from every Tomato Head sandwich to Imagination Library.
“I have always been struck by the many different ways Dolly touched people’s lives. Whether it was through music or her considerable charitable efforts, she left a mark on East Tennessee, and the world, that will not be forgotten,” the restaurant posted on social media the day after Parton died.
The Tomato Head has two Knoxville locations: 12 Market Square and 7240 Kingston Pike.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Celebrate Dolly Parton Day on 9/25 with parties, books and tattoos!
