Dolly Day is 9/25, Colorado is going all out — where to celebrate

September 25 falls on a Friday this year, and if you rearrange the numbers just right, 9/25, 9-2-5, you’ve got the title of one of the most iconic country songs ever written. That’s why fans across the country have declared September 25 “Dolly Day,” and Colorado is going bigger than just about anyone. One month after Dolly Parton’s passing on Aug. 25 at the age of 80, the entire state is throwing her a party she would’ve absolutely loved.

The centerpiece is Colorado Loves Dolly!, a free, family-friendly celebration at Governor’s Park (701 Pennsylvania St., Denver) on Friday from 3–7 p.m. Hosted by the Governor’s Office, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood and the Imagination Library of Colorado, it’ll feature live music, karaoke, storytime inside the Governor’s Mansion, Dolly-inspired art activities, a butterfly fairyland, food trucks, Dolly-themed drinks, a playground, bubbles and, of course, a costume contest. There’s even a special prize for the 925th Dolly look-alike to walk through the gates, so get there early or get there fabulous. There’s also a Doggie Parton look-alike contest, because this is Colorado and we bring our dogs everywhere. Governor Polis said it best: “Thanks to Dolly Parton and the Imagination Library, Colorado children have received over 3.4 million books.” More than 93,000 Colorado kids currently get a free book mailed to their home every month through the program.

But Denver is just the beginning. Here’s everything else we found happening across Colorado this Friday and weekend:

DENVER:

• Charlie’s Denver — “Night of 1,000 Dollys” look-alike contest with cash prizes, starting at 9 p.m.

LOUISVILLE:

• Downtown Dolly Day — More than 20 businesses are going all-in, all day. Crystal Springs Brewing, Moxie Bread Co., Sweet Cow, Lulu’s BBQ, Pica’s, Huckleberry and others are playing Dolly music all day, offering themed food and drink specials, hosting a Dolly scavenger hunt and Dolly Lobby Karaoke at Pitch Karaoke. Some businesses are donating 10 percent of sales to the Imagination Library. Costumes strongly encouraged.

LOVELAND:

• “Get Dolly’d Up on 9two5” Bar Crawl — Fans from all over Northern Colorado will descend on downtown Loveland for a Dolly Parton bar crawl that runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., naturally.

PUEBLO:

• “A Night of a Thousand Dolly’s” Bar Crawl — 5:30 p.m., $25 tickets, 21+. The route hits The Senate, The Downtown Bar, First & Main, Shamrock Brewing Company, Smitty’s Greenlight Tavern and Breaker Arcade. Dolly drink specials, karaoke, raffles, a butterfly treasure hunt and costume contests for Best Dolly and Worst Dolly. All proceeds benefit the Pueblo Library and Dolly’s Imagination Library.

COLORADO SPRINGS:

• Wild Birds Unlimited (2450 Montebello Square Dr.) — Free book for every kid who walks in, all day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. One per child. Because that’s exactly what Dolly would’ve wanted.

CHAFFEE COUNTY:

• “Give Like Dolly Day” — Local businesses and organizations across Salida and Buena Vista are participating in a community-wide day of giving in Dolly’s honor, supporting the Imagination Library.

STATEWIDE:

Dozens more events are popping up at libraries, coffee shops, bookstores, breweries and schools across Colorado through Sunday. The state has set up an interactive map at celebrate.colorado.gov/dolly-days so you can find whatever’s happening closest to you.

Dolly once said, “If you can read, you can do anything, dream anything and be anything.” On Friday, Colorado’s going to prove she was right, one rhinestone, one bar crawl and one free book at a time.