Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has declared Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day, honoring the country music icon and philanthropist.
The governor's office on Monday issued a proclamation establishing the observance, saying that it celebrates Parton's life, legacy and generosity.
"Dolly Parton rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most beloved entertainers in the world and dedicated herself to literacy and children through her philanthropic work with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library," the statement reads.
More than 1 million Ohio children across all 88 counties have participated in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio, the state says, receiving a free, age-appropriate book by mail each month since the statewide program launched in 2019. The program serves
children from birth through age 5.
Here's what to know about Dolly Parton Day and the literacy program that inspired it.
When is Dolly Parton Day in Ohio?
According to the announcement, the state celebrates Dolly Parton Day on Friday, September 25, 2026.
To celebrate Dolly Parton's life, @LtGovJimTressel and I signed a proclamation creating Dolly Parton Day, to be observed on September 25, 2026. Dolly spread the values of kindness and generosity around the world, and her legacy will live on through the children who have… pic.twitter.com/t7AOQ3ANOc
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) September 14, 2026
How to celebrate Dolly Parton Day in Ohio with Imagination Library Storybook Trails
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio partnered with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Department of Transportation to bring Storybook Trails to many state parks and rest areas in Ohio.
Each one is a short walking path that features pages of a book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on child-height panels, highlighting the importance of literacy, a healthy lifestyle and connecting with nature.
"Thank you, Dolly Parton, for helping make reading an outdoor adventure for Ohio kids," ODNR wrote in an Aug. 25 Facebook post.
Where to find Storybook Trails in Ohio
There are 21 Storybook Trails in Ohio State Parks and 31 at rest areas and welcome centers in the state.
An interactive map from ODNR shows where to find one near you.
What is Dolly Parton's Imagination Library?
Parton launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995 by sending free books to children in Sevier County, Tennessee, where she was born and raised. She started the program to honor her father, Robert “Lee” Parton, who died in 2000.
“Daddy didn’t get a chance to read and write and he was always kind of embarrassed by that,” Parton said during a 2022 visit to Ohio. “I just always felt my heart was always heavy that my Daddy felt like there was something he couldn’t do, because we thought he could do anything.”
Today, those free books are available for children ages 5 and younger in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. It's also available in every county in Ohio, with 70% of eligible households participating.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How to celebrate Dolly Parton Day in Ohio on Sept. 25
