The Dolly Parton Effect: Celebrating Legacy, Philanthropy, or Marketing? Cities across the nation have declared September 25 as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day.
This tribute is a nod to one of her signature songs, but it also raises questions about the motivations behind these proclamations.
The fact that cities like Manhattan, New Orleans, Lexington, Kentucky, and multiple counties in East Tennessee are joining the celebration suggests that civic recognition has become a form of marketing.