Lexington Celebrates Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Expansion
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In a lively celebration at the Lyric Theatre on Tuesday, the beloved country music icon, Dolly Parton, brought her infectious energy to Lexington. The event was to mark an exciting expansion of her Imagination Library, a program that will now provide free books through the mail every month to every child in the Commonwealth from birth to age five. That’s right, parents across the state can count on a delightful surprise arriving at their doorstep every month!
Dolly graced the stage looking fabulous in a sparkly tuxedo-like suit, tall heels, and her signature blonde locks. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as Dolly expressed her enthusiasm for the new milestone. “I am so excited to be here because you know why we’re here,” she said, warming the crowd’s hearts.
The Imagination Library was conceived back in 1995, inspired by Dolly’s own childhood experiences. Her father struggled with literacy, and that motivated her to give children the tools they need to fall in love with reading. “Daddy helped me so much getting the program going, and he loved it when kids would call me the book lady. In fact, he was prouder of that than I was called a country star,” Dolly shared, reflecting on her father’s influence.
The program first took root in her home county in Tennessee and has since blossomed to help countless children. It spread into Kentucky starting from Henderson County in 2002. Over a decade ago, there was significant help from local initiatives, including one spearheaded by WAVE News in Jefferson County, and now it’s accessible in all 120 counties across the state.
Praising Dolly’s commitment, Governor Andy Beshear recognized her with fondness, suggesting, “I believe it’s time for Dolly Parton to become our newest Kentucky Colonel.” The proposal brought a gleam to her eye, and she responded with, “Oh, I would love that! Thank you so much!”
At 78 years old, Dolly isn’t sitting back and enjoying her stardom; she’s relentlessly pushing forward, inspired by stories and people who strive to make the world a better place. “I’m inspired by great stories and great people who try to do great things. Try to make life better,” she said passionately, still full of fire and enthusiasm.
The event allowed Dolly to meet face-to-face with individuals who contributed to bringing the program statewide, including Congressman Morgan McGarvey. “She is someone who is just such a neat, real person, and to have her here for this book program is awesome,” he said, beaming at the chance to interact with the famous star. Dolly also took a moment to sign his daughter’s “Dolly” shirt, making quite the impression.
Among the warm interactions, young children had their moments to shine in front of Dolly. One little girl named Greta recalled, “He’s a handsome devil,” which was the charming compliment Dolly paid to her brother, undoubtedly brightening the day for the whole family.
Additionally, Clara McGarvey, the Congressman’s oldest daughter, joyfully spoke about how Dolly made her feel special. “She was very welcoming. She gave us a big hug. She was all smiles. It was so amazing,” she expressed, showcasing how Dolly’s genuine affection had a ripple effect on the hearts of those at the event.
Just when everyone thought the evening couldn’t get any better, Dolly ended the celebration with a couple of songs, one of which was specifically written to honor the Imagination Library program. The crowd couldn’t help but sing along and soak in the magic of the moment.
As if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, Dolly also revealed she’s currently working on a musical about her life that will not only feature her famous classics but also some brand new tunes. Talk about keeping the creativity flowing!
In conjunction with the event, a telethon held by WAVE News aimed to raise funds for the Imagination Library of Louisville. The structure of the program allows for community donations to be matched at a 50% rate by the state, significantly enhancing the program’s reach and effectiveness.
For parents eager to enroll their children in the Imagination Library or to contribute to this noble cause, more information can be found through local resources.
Dolly Parton’s enthusiasm and commitment to putting books in the hands of children is undoubtedly a gift that will keep giving, and it’s clear that her legacy will live on, one book at a time!
