Los Angeles County is gearing up to celebrate the first official Dolly Parton Day this Friday, with a calendar full of events honoring the late country music legend. From downtown Los Angeles to the Santa Monica Pier, residents will find concerts, singalongs, and children’s programs marking the inaugural observance of the statewide holiday.
In Downtown Los Angeles, the DTLA Alliance and Grand Performances are hosting a noon celebration at Cal Marketplace, located at Grand Avenue and Third Street. This event will feature live performances from Leslie Stevens and Andy Keathley, a DJ set, a book drive, and giveaways for attendees.
Over in Santa Monica, the pier is setting the stage for its own tribute. A Dolly Parton Day celebration is scheduled from 11:09 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. at the historic carousel, with a short ceremony beginning five minutes before noon. Organizers have planned tributes focusing on Parton and her Imagination Library, a moment of silence, and group performances of her well-known hits, “9 to 5” and “Jolene.” As evening falls, Pacific Park will light up its 90-foot-tall Pacific Wheel. Starting around sunset and continuing until midnight, the Ferris wheel will glow pink, displaying "DOLLY" and "WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!" alongside a rotation of pink hearts, stars, and spiral animations.
Local libraries are also joining the festivities. LA County Library branches across the region will host various programs on Friday. Children’s activities are planned in Lomita, West Covina, and Los Angeles. Teenagers in Baldwin Park can participate in a line-dancing program. The San Fernando Library will hold a 4 p.m. screening of “The Library That Dolly Built,” a documentary about the Imagination Library program. For those looking to support the cause directly, Amoeba Music in Hollywood will donate a portion of Friday’s proceeds to Parton’s Imagination Library. The store will also offer 30% off used books and set up a Dolly Parton-inspired photo opportunity for visitors.
This new annual observance was established after Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 931 last Sunday. The bill designates September 25 as Dolly Parton Day in California each year. The date, 9-2-5, is a nod to her iconic hit song and the 1980 film “9 to 5,” where she starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The measure was championed by Senator Shannon Grove, a Republican representing Bakersfield, and Senator John Laird, a Democrat from Santa Cruz, highlighting a rare bipartisan agreement.
Senator Shannon Grove emphasized Parton's impact beyond entertainment. Grove noted that while Parton sparkled on every stage, her "brightest sparkle was the literacy legacy she built through the Imagination Library." She also highlighted her prior collaboration with former Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins to expand the bilingual reading program statewide in California, making it one of the first states to offer English-Spanish book options through the program. Senator John Laird echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude to Governor Newsom and Senator Grove for their partnership and observing that Parton's legacy extended well beyond her music.
Parton founded the Imagination Library in 1995 with the goal of providing free books to young children. The program mails books monthly to participating children from birth through age five. According to Senator Grove's office, more than 182,000 California children are currently enrolled in the Imagination Library, which provides full coverage in 45 of the state’s 58 counties.
Beyond her literacy efforts, Parton was known for her wide-ranging philanthropic work, which included supporting disaster relief, medical research, and the LGBTQ+ community. Governor Newsom had ordered flags at state buildings flown at half-staff following her death, praising her music, philanthropy, and advocacy. Parton passed away on August 25 at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. She enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades, becoming one of the most successful country music performers of all time, penning "9 to 5" and starring in films like “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” and “Steel Magnolias.” Governor Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom remarked after her passing that her joy and stories would "shine for generations."
