The Dolly Parton cutout was hard to miss.
Life-sized and permanently cheerful, she stood at the entrance to Dolly’s, a new country bar on Toronto’s Esplanade, watching over a steady stream of guests in cowboy hats, blond wigs and varying degrees of rhinestone commitment.
This week, the affection for Dolly Parton, who died on Aug. 25 at the age of 80, has been visible across Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver. Parton’s estate has also announced DOLLYFEST, a major celebration planned for 2027. The Globe and Mail spent a night at Dolly’s this week for a special celebration in tribute to the queen of country.
The bar takes its name and inspiration from Parton.
“The idea behind Dolly’s was to create a country bar in the city where women would feel safe,” said Taruna Daya, a staff member who welcomed guests as they arrived.
Among the guests was Ayah Conic, Dolly’s main drag performer and host for the evening.
“Dolly didn’t have a mean bone in her body. She was love,” Conic said. “When she could’ve gone and just become a billionaire, she started a charity. I adore her.”
That generosity was part of the tribute itself. The night was raising funds for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the program she founded to provide free books to children.
It was an appropriate way to celebrate someone whose public life has always extended beyond music. Parton built a career as a songwriter and performer, while using her success to give back to the communities around her.
But perhaps that is part of what makes Dolly Dolly. The glamour was never the whole story. There was always something given away, whether it was a song, a joke, a book or simply a reason for people to feel welcome.
