After Dolly Parton died Aug. 25, Ohioans quickly honored her by buying new license plates.
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has issued 259 Dolly Parton Imagination Library specialty plates since the singer, songwriter and philanthropist died after a brief battle with cancer. That brings the total number in August to 322, a 329% increase from the month prior, according to the BMV.
The specialty plate, available since January 2025, includes a $25 contribution to Ohio's Imagination Library.
The Imagination Library provides free monthly books to Ohio children from birth until age 5. Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine made the program a top priority and increased enrollment to 64% of eligible kids.
The $25 specialty plate donation helps cover
the cost of mailing one child's books for a year, according to the Imagination Library.
Ohioans can purchase the plate online at OPLATES.com or in person at any BMV deputy registrar.
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@usatodayco.com or @haleybemiller on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio sees surge in Dolly Parton license plate sales after her death
