California is giving Dolly Parton the ultimate encore.
Lawmakers have officially declared Sept. 25 “Dolly Parton Day” in the Golden State, honoring the late country music icon and her enormous legacy both on and off the stage, per KSBW.
And the date itself is no coincidence. The annual celebration is a playful wink to Parton’s beloved smash hit “9 to 5.”
Senate Bill 931, authored by state Sens. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, and John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, establishes the special day following Parton’s recent death.
“Dolly Parton brought joy to a lot of people, but her legacy goes well beyond her music,” Laird said.
Among Parton’s most lasting accomplishments was her Imagination Library, the literacy program she founded that provides free books to children.
The program has become a powerhouse of its own, with more than 182,000 California children currently enrolled.
California was also among the first states to make bilingual English-Spanish books available through the program, helping Parton spread her love of reading to even more families.
“She also led with kindness and acceptance, standing by the LGBTQ+ community and reminding people that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” Laird said.
The tribute comes during an emotional period for fans, who have been mourning the loss of the larger-than-life entertainer.
Parton’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star was vandalized just days after her death, turning an already somber memorial site into an ugly scene.
Fans had flocked to Hollywood Boulevard to pay tribute, leaving flowers around the star and creating a makeshift shrine to the beloved performer.
But when visitors returned Monday, the flowers were gone and scratches had been carved across Parton’s name on the brass star.
Ana Martinez, a spokesperson for the chamber, told TMZ that a fan was responsible for taking the flowers and scratching the star.
Thankfully, crews arrived and repaired the beloved singer’s star on Wednesday.
Parton received her first Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1984 and later became one of the rare performers to receive multiple stars on the legendary strip.
When she received her second star in 2018, Parton, who was never one to miss an opportunity for a cheeky joke, quipped: “I like to do things in pairs, if you know what I mean!”
