Attendees light candles at a vigil for Dolly Parton at ‘Dolly Day: A Celebration of Dolly Parton’ at Moondance Amphitheater on Sept. 25, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog

Dolly Parton fans celebrated the late country music icon’s life and legacy with a music-filled event at Lexington’s “Dolly Day.”

Held at the Moondance Amphitheatre, “Dolly Day” marked one month since Parton’s death and was held on Friday, Sept. 25, or 9/25, in honor of one of her hit songs, “9 to 5.”

Throughout the night, attendees listened to musicians perform some of Parton’s songs, not only remembering the music career she left behind, but the personal impact she left on so many.

Paul Hooper, who oversees marketing, publicity and public relations for Lexington Parks and Recreation, said it was an “easy ask” when reaching out to artists to perform at “Dolly Days” or to businesses to ask them to light their building pink in honor of Parton.

“Everyone wanted to, because they just love Dolly,” Hooper said. “She’s universally loved, and I think that’s really just credit to her.”

Attendees participate in a Dolly Parton look-alike contest at ‘Dolly Day: A Celebration of Dolly Parton’ at Moondance Amphitheater on Sept. 25, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog

In addition to live music, “Dolly Days” also gave people the opportunity to donate to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that aims to promote literacy by gifting free books to children from the time they are born until they turn five.

Hooper said it was important to not just hold the event, but to offer a charitable element that would have an impact beyond Friday’s celebration.

“We were looking at that extra step,” Hooper said. “How can we follow in Dolly’s legacy and really use this as an opportunity to support the cause that she championed and created?”

Near the stage at the Moondance Amphitheatre, the Fayette Education Foundation, a local facilitator for the Imagination Library, displayed and gave away a variety of books from the program’s book list.

Kim Sweazy, the board chair of the Fayette Education Foundation, said looking out at attendees, there was a “sea of Dolly humanity”– a crowd of people who did not just attend “Dolly Days” for her music, but because they believed in what Parton stood for.

Sweazy said Friday night was the first time she had worked a donation table where people sought them out.

“It was like, ‘Is this where we can give? Is this where we can give?’” Sweazy said. “And they were excited about being able to do that, and digging in their pockets and their purses and handing over cash because they had seen what it could do.”

Attendee Addie Miranda poses for a photo as bands perform Dolly Parton songs and tributes at ‘Dolly Day: A Celebration of Dolly Parton’ at Moondance Amphitheater on Sept. 25, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog

While the foundation often raises money for projects to support students in Fayette County schools, according to Sweazy, the Imagination Library can help children before they enter the classroom.

Latarika Young, the Fayette Education Foundation board treasurer, said by increasing access to a variety of books, the program helps “blaze” students’ path as they begin school.

“There’s always a saying that I love, that leaders are readers, right? And you’re already setting that stage for them,” Young said.

As a child, attendee Kennedy Brislin said she received books from the Imagination Library, and that she did not know if she would have “fallen in love” with literacy or reading had she not been registered in the program.

Brislin is now an elementary school teacher in Lexington, and said the program continues to promote literacy among children.

“I think it definitely helps kids understand that reading is not just something that you do at school,” Brislin said. “It’s something to enjoy and something that’s, you know, it’s embedded in all facets of life.”

A life-long fan of Parton, Brislin said her mom always had her songs playing on the radio, and that her mom chose to celebrate her birthday at Friday’s “Dolly Days” with family and friends.

“I love Dolly because she loves people, and I mean that’s probably why my mom wanted to be here too,” Brislin said.

Bands perform Dolly Parton songs and tributes at ‘Dolly Day: A Celebration of Dolly Parton’ at Moondance Amphitheater on Sept. 25, 2026. Peyton Tindall/The Watchdog

Parton reached a variety of people, according to Taylor Lee Ann Taylor, who works in research at the University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing.

During her childhood, Parton was a “staple.” On Saturday nights, Taylor said everything would stop in her household for “Hee Haw,” a TV show Parton and other country music artists would appear on.

However, according to Taylor, Parton’s reach was not limited to country music fans– even those who did not enjoy the genre could appreciate the songwriter, musician and humanitarian Parton was.

“She was just a really good human,” Taylor said. “She was a good human, and if we had more Dollys in the world, how much brighter would the world be?”