September 25 just became the sparkliest date on the calendar. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed bill SB 931 on Sunday, officially declaring Dolly Parton Day statewide, and the celebration stretches far beyond the West Coast. Nashville, San Francisco, Portland, and Texas counties Montgomery and Hayes all passed their own declarations for the same date.
The 9/25 date is a direct nod to“9 to 5,”but the tributes go deeper than the hits. Lawmakers repeatedly pointed to Dolly’s Imagination Library, the program that has mailed millions of free books to children, as the heart of her legacy. California’s declaration put it simply: every September 25th, remember the legend who put millions of books in the hands of our youngest readers.
Planning to celebrate? San Francisco is hosting a free“Dolly Day”with music and rhinestones, while Nashville is running citywide events that wrap up with a fireworks show. Organizers have one request: play music, read a book with a child, help a neighbor, stand up for someone who needs it. What’s your favorite Dolly song of all time? Tell us in the comments.
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.