Nashville will honor the life and legacy of the recently departed Dolly Parton on Sept. 25 during the inaugural citywide Dolly Day.
Chosen in reference reference to her signature song "9 to 5," Sept. 25 was designated as Dolly Day by Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell roughly a month after Parton's death.
"Dolly Parton's impact on Nashville will be felt for generations, through her music, her many acts of kindness, and the example she continues to set for us today," O'Connell wrote in a statement. "She has shown us all that caring for a community means showing up for one another."
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Planned Dolly Day activities and events in Nashville include performances
of "9 to 5" at participating music venues at 5 p.m., Dolly-themed food and drink specials benefiting charities, pink-lit landmarks, neighborhood celebrations and a downtown fireworks tribute at 9:25 p.m.
Country stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will also donate all proceeds from their Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk that day to the Nashville Public Library and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
While the first-ever Dolly Day will certainly be a grandiose spectacle in the city that Parton helped shape, Nashville will not be alone in celebrating, as these cities and states have also officially declared Sept. 25 as Dolly Day.
Dolly Day is also happening in these cities on Sept. 25
In addition to Nashville, these cities have also deemed Sept. 25 as Dolly Day, according to USA TODAY and Knoxville's WATE 6 On Your Side.
- Cocke County, TN
- Manhattan, New York City
- New Orleans, LA
- Portland, OR
- Sevierville, TN
- Pigeon Forge, TN
- Gatlinburg, TN
- Pittman Center, TN
- Montgomery County, TX
- Hays County, TX
Have any states declared Sept. 25 as Dolly Day?
Earlier this year, Gov. Bill Lee designated Parton's birthday, Jan. 19, as Dolly Parton Day, but State Sen. Jessie Seal, R-New Tazewell, announced plans to propose a bill designating Sept. 25 as “9 to 5 Day," according to Tennessean reporting.
"While every day is a fitting day to honor Dolly, ‘9 to 5 Day’ will give Tennesseans an opportunity each year to set aside a little extra time to listen to one of her most iconic songs and reflect on the once-in-a-century legend," Seal said.
Following Parton's death, California followed suit, as Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that officially made Sept. 25 Dolly Day across the state.
"We could all afford to live a little more like Dolly. Be kind, be humble and have some fun … Be a diamond in a rhinestone world," Newsom said in a news release shared with USA TODAY. "With this bill, we are not just establishing a day to celebrate Dolly Parton, we are creating an annual reminder to us, every year, to live the way she did − joyfully, graciously and with a whole lot of heart."
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel also signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day.
Where will there be '9 to 5' performances on Dolly Day in Nashville?
To listen to covers of Parton's hit "9 to 5" on Dolly Day you can stop into one of these Nashville venues.
- AJ's Good Time Bar
- Blanco
- Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row Nashville
- Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk
- Kane Brown's on Broadway
- Pushing Daisies
- Skinny Dennis
- The Twelve Thirty Club
Find more Dolly Day events at visitmusiccity.com/dollyday.
Other Dolly Day festivities in Nashville
- Boqueria: Dolly-themed celebration all day with a DJ, pink cocktails and Dolly Day bingo.
- Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk: Donating all Sept. 25 proceeds to children's literacy and accepting book donations in Dolly's honor.
- Puckett's: Guests wearing Dolly apparel can receive a free Nana's Peach Cobbler.
- Villa Castrioti: Offering two Dolly-inspired specialty cocktails for the occasion.
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Free Dolly-themed activities Sept. 25, including a screening of "9 to 5," archive footage, photo ops and crafts; the museum will stay open late for the Dolly Parton exhibit.
- The Escape Game: Offering admission to its original Nashville game for $9.25 on Sept. 25.
- Music City Archery: Discounted lane rentals for $9.25 from 2-8 p.m. on Dolly Day.
- Nashville Zoo: Special admission pricing, Dolly-themed food and drinks, animal enrichment activities and other themed experiences.
- Rudy's Jazz Room: Donating $5 from every ticket sold to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
- Southwest Airlines: Hosting Dolly-themed karaoke, giveaways and activities at Gate C2 at Nashville International Airport.
Vivian Jones and the staff of The Tennessean contributed to this report.
Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at PBurditt@nashvill.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Day goes national. See which cities are celebrating Dolly Parton
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