Governor proclaims January 19th as Dolly Parton Day

For her musical and economic projects that have endured for years, a special day is being set aside for country legend and East Tennessee native Dolly Parton.

Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed January 19th as Dolly Parton Day in Tennessee on the occasion of Dolly’s 80th birthday.

Lee wrote Parton’s extraordinary life has touched millions through the radio and on the silver and TV screen while record crowds file into her Pigeon Forge theme park yearly. The governor also noted Dolly’s help in times of need, including her donations of money to help Gatlinburg wildfire victims and help rebuild portions of the state devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The Grand Ole Opry is hosting an all-star birthday party for Parton who will address the crowd via video message, although Dolly’s spokesperson said Parton was not scheduled to appear at the concert as the event was being planned.

In a clip filmed late last year, Parton said she had let her health deteriorate while caring for her husband Carl Dean who died in March at the age of 82 and would have to postpone a residency planned at a Las Vegas venue in order to have surgery.

(IMAGE: A photo taken during the “I Will Always Love You Festival” hosted last year at Dollywood. Photo property of Dollywood)