Cleveland and the state of Ohio set aside Sept. 25, 2026, to honor Dolly Parton, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame built a full day of programming around the designation.
The museum's "Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Day" featured live performances, hands-on activations, educational sessions and a tribute wall where visitors could write about the singer's meaning to them. Hannah Wise of the Rock Hall described the event as honoring Parton's catalog, giving and work on childhood literacy. Parton entered the Hall in 2022; Wise noted that the singer initially attempted to decline the honor on the grounds she had not earned it, and said the institution embraces all genres feeding rock's lineage, country among them.
Wise said two dollars from each ticket goes to the Literacy Cooperative to advance the Imagination Library's mission. That program distributes books at no cost to children, and the literacy theme extended to classrooms in Northeast Ohio. Students and staff at Hinckley Elementary in Medina County planned to carry favorite books to school and pause for reading at 9:25 a.m.
Outside Cleveland, Gov. Mike DeWine proclaimed the date Dolly Parton Day across Ohio, and Cleveland City Council approved its own recognition.