News Summary
This week, Chattanooga is celebrating Dolly Parton’s 79th birthday with a series of exciting events organized by Signal Centers. From January 13 to January 19, families can enjoy activities, including a passport program for local events, special ice cream offerings, and a grand opening event for a wrapped bus featuring Dolly’s image. The celebrations also aim to support children’s literacy through the Imagination Library initiative, which has helped thousands of children in the community. Join the fun and honor a legendary artist while promoting the joy of reading!
Chattanooga Celebrates Dolly Parton’s 79th Birthday with a Week of Fun!
Chattanooga is rolling out the red carpet as the city gears up to celebrate the one and only Dolly Parton for her 79th birthday! From January 13 to January 19, the city is buzzing with a week-long extravaganza filled with exciting events and activities that honor the beloved songstress and her incredible contributions to children’s literacy.
A Big Thank You to Signal Centers
The festivities are being organized by Signal Centers, a local organization with a heart dedicated to promoting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This wonderful initiative was created to provide free books for children aged five and under, making sure our little ones have the tools they need to develop strong early reading skills. Isn’t that fantastic?
Right now, about 14,000 children in Hamilton County are registered for this amazing program, and the aim is to get even more young bookworms on board. The goal is to enroll at least 300 additional children each month! Isn’t it great to think about all those little ones discovering the joy of reading?
Join the Fun with a Passport
Families in Chattanooga can dive into the celebrations by participating in a fun activity that involves filling out a “passport”. This passport can be picked up at local libraries and allows families to gather stamps while visiting various event locations throughout the week. Plus, there’s a chance to win a shiny free iPad! How cool is that?
Sweet Treats and Special Surprises
What’s a celebration without some delicious treats? Clumpies Ice Cream Co. has whipped up a special ice cream flavor in honor of Dolly. Introducing “a cup of ambition”, which is sure to delight your taste buds while you celebrate this iconic star!
Riding in Style with Dolly
To add to the festive atmosphere, CARTA buses throughout Chattanooga are wrapped with vibrant designs that pay homage to Dolly Parton. These buses will cruise around the city for a whole year, spreading the spirit of celebration. Just imagine hopping on one of those artistic buses and feeling a little extra joy in your day!
Supporting Literacy, One Book at a Time
The aim of these birthday celebrations is not just to party, but also to promote the importance of literacy for children. The Imagination Library is funded through a wonderful combination of local fundraising efforts, alongside matching funds from the Tennessee Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation. This requires an annual budget of about $200,000 to keep the program thriving.
A Grand Opening Event You Won’t Want to Miss!
To kick things off, there will be a grand opening event at Signal Centers to officially launch the newly wrapped bus featuring Dolly’s image. It will be a fitting way to honor a superstar dedicated to uplifting children and their futures.
Join the Celebration!
If you’re in Chattanooga, mark your calendars and join in the week-long celebrations! It’s a chance to honor Dolly Parton while also supporting the invaluable cause of children’s literacy. So grab your family, pick up those passports, and prepare for a birthday bash that’s not just about cake and candles, but about fostering a love of reading and imagination for our little ones.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chattanooga’s Fun-Filled Weekend Events Await!
Chattanooga Celebrates Dolly Parton’s Birthday
Chattanooga Celebrates Dolly Parton’s Birthday with Dolly Days
Chattanooga Celebrates Dolly Parton’s 79th Birthday with Festivities
Additional Resources
- WDEF: Chattanooga Celebrates Dolly Parton
- Wikipedia: Dolly Parton
- Times Free Press: Dolly Duck Craft Day
- Google Search: Dolly Parton Chattanooga celebration
- Chattanoogan: CARTA’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dolly Parton
- Local 3 News: Signal Centers Celebrate Dolly Parton
- Google News: Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
