American singer Dolly Parton performs during her Tokyo concert on Monday, July 30, 1979. The popular vocalist, who won the Grammy award this year, sang 20 songs before a crowd of 1,600.
Tsugufumi Matsumoto / AP
On Friday, Portlanders will tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen with a little bit of Dolly in their hearts. The Rose City is joining a growing list of cities and states honoring the late country music legend Dolly Parton.
In a nod to her 1980 hit song and movie “9 to 5,” Sept. 25, or 9/25, has been declared Dolly Parton Day in Portland.
Parton died in August, at 80 years old, following a short battle with cancer. Millions mourned the passing of the singer-songwriter, reminded of her true legacy: kindness.
Across the city on Friday, Dolly-inspired events, food and drinks will be offered from a growing list of Dolly Day participants.
Portland’s Dolly Parton Day Declared
Portland made Dolly Parton Day official during a Wednesday morning City Council meeting. The declaration included singing, dancing and a continued call to support childhood literacy — in true Dolly fashion.
In a pre-gavel ceremony, Portland drag performer Nicole Onoscopi sang Parton’s biggest hits — “Jolene,” “Here You Come Again” and “9 to 5.” By the end of her performance, a crowd of community members, poised to discuss the day’s action items, were on their feet singing and dancing along.
Drag queen Nicole Onoscopi performs a medley of Dolly Parton songs during a pre-gavel ceremony before a Portland City Council meeting at Portland City Hall on Sept. 23, 2025. The performance celebrated the official mayoral proclamation of Sept. 25 (9/25) as Dolly Parton Day, a play on her hit song and movie 9 to 5.
Eli Imadali / OPB
“That’s a tough act to follow,” Laurie McNichols, state director for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Oregon, said while taking the floor to speak to council members.
McNichols used her time to praise community partners in Oregon that work with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She highlighted the community partners who fundraise to pay for the thousands of books shipped to the homes of children across the state at no charge.
“Dolly called these partners her true heroes,” McNichols said.
Imagination Library in Oregon
Alongside the money raised by partners, funding from the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care helps cover 50% of the cost of books and mailing for each child enrolled in the Imagination Library.
More than 80,000 children are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Oregon.
“That’s about 30% of all kids under the age of 5 in our state,” McNichols said.
FILE: Gov. Tina Kotek signs legislation codifying the Dolly Parton Imagination Library into state law, joined by families and supporters of the program in a Gresham library.
Shaanth Nanguneri / Oregon Capital Chronicle
McNichols finished her speech by highlighting Give Like Dolly Day, also happening nationwide on Sept. 25. Spearheaded by the Dollywood Foundation, Give Like Dolly Day hopes to inspire millions to donate to their local Imagination Library programs.
Mary Dailey, finance project manager at the Early Learning Hub of Central Oregon and program coordinator for Imagination Library in Central Oregon, called Friday an opportunity for individuals and local businesses to remember Dolly Parton in a way that helps children in their community.
“Every single dollar that a person gives on any day, but especially on this Friday, is going to go directly to supporting the cost of books and mailing,“ Dailey said.
Wednesday morning’s ceremony ended with Portland City Council President Jamie Dunphy reading the official proclamation from Mayor Keith Wilson that encouraged Portlanders to go out Friday and celebrate the unique American icon.
Dolly Parton performs at Glastonbury music festival, June 29, 2014.
Jonathan Short / AP Photo
