Dolly Trolley Night draws crowds to downtown Memphis
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Trolley Night in downtown Memphis turned into Dolly Night on South Main, combining the monthly event with a tribute to Dolly Parton.
Rychetta Watkins says she’s admired Parton for years.
“She really was a self-made woman. She was an early pioneer for women in country music. She was a mogul, right? She built an empire based on this brand,” Watkins said, “And she was very savvy with the media and how she used her image as leverage to help her grow her career. And she was a phenomenal philanthropist.”
Parton, known as the Queen of Country, died August 25 at the age of 80.
Businesses decked out in Dolly merchandise
One month later, businesses along South Main, like Stock and Belle, were decked out in Dolly-themed merchandise, including paintings by artist Rattlesnake Betty.
“She’s just so positive. Kind. Like, larger than life. The big hair. The glamour. I love her,” Rattlesnake Betty told Action News 5.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee declared September 25 “Dolly Parton Day.”
In Nashville, 150 businesses took part in the celebration. The zoo had Dolly decorations in the enclosures and butterfly-shaped food for the animals. The Metro Animal Shelter offered adoptions for $9.25. Nashville Public Libraries also brought back a special-edition library card featuring Dolly.
Orpheum Theatre Group screens 9 to 5
Back in Memphis, the Orpheum Theatre Group honored Parton’s life and legacy with four screenings of “9 to 5” at The Halloran Centre.
“Well I was in town with my husband for a conference he’s at – kind of looking for something to do, and low and behold…9 to 5 at 9 o’clock this morning…seemed perfect!” said Lee Ellen Smith.
Allison Buchanan’s love for Dolly runs so deep she got a new tattoo to remember her.
“Imagination Library is such a great foundation for children. My daughter had them. Birth to 5 years old. She’s 16 years old now and I still remember getting those books every month. We’re gonna miss her so much, so I wanted a little memory piece forever!” Buchanan said.
Everywhere you looked Friday night, South Main was covered in rhinestones, cowboy boots, big hair and lots of pink, an ode to an icon that would have made Dolly proud.
“I feel like if we can just take a little bit of her legacy…at this time in our country…we can just take a little big of her legacy and carry that forward with us…we’ll all be better off,” Watkins said.
Nashville held a fireworks display Friday night as part of its Dolly Parton festivities. Memphis businesses on South Main plan to dedicate some of the night’s proceeds to Parton’s Imagination Library program.
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