Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – California celebrated its inaugural Dolly Parton Day on Friday — 9/25 — a date that recalls one of the late country icon’s most beloved hits. Parton died last month at the age of 80, plunging her fans into mourning for a singer-songwriter, philanthropist, and businesswoman whom many saw as a unifying figure in a divided America.
This week, California Governor Gavin Newsom said he was establishing the day to encourage citizens to take inspiration from the “9 to 5” singer, who starred in the film of the same name with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song has become a workplace anthem. “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. “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.”
Events around the Golden State were to include musical performances and giveaways in downtown Los Angeles. At sunset, Santa Monica was to light up its 90-foot (30 meter)-tall Pacific Wheel on the pier in pink, with “DOLLY” and “WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!” displayed along with pink hearts, stars, and spiral animations.
Los Angeles County Library was planning to hold a series of activities in honor of a woman whose literacy drive brought books to millions of underprivileged children. Parton rose from grinding poverty to become a rhinestone-studded legend with hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” She also starred in multiple films and donated millions of dollars to charities as she built a vast business empire that includes her popular Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, cosmetics, pet apparel, baking mixes, and even a truck stop.
© 2024 AFP
