At a Glance
- Waltonwood communities in three states are staging “Waltonwood to Dollywood” for Dolly Parton’s 80th birthday on Jan. 19
- Residents dress Western, dine on Parton’s favorite foods, and pose with a wig-wearing pony named Macho
- A children’s book drive mirrors Parton’s Imagination Library, aligning with Waltonwood’s philanthropy mission
- Why it matters: The annual event fights isolation by giving seniors a joyful, purpose-filled celebration centered on a star who champions literacy and kindness
For the third straight year, senior living campuses in Michigan, North Carolina, and Virginia are swapping bingo night for rhinestone nights as they honor Dolly Parton‘s milestone 80th birthday. The party-branded “Waltonwood to Dollywood”-turns each community into a mini theme park of music, comfort food, and cowboy hats.
A Week-Long Jukebox of Activities
The festivities run the full birthday week, anchored by Monday’s big bash. A Parton impersonator struts the halls, playlists spin “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” and chefs plate dishes pulled straight from the singer’s own favorites list. Line-dancing lessons replace chair aerobics, trivia contests test Parton prowess, and every hallway doubles as a runway for Western wear.
- Residents receive custom bandanas and beaded scarves
- A photo booth frames guests with a replica of Parton’s signature guitar
- Staff crown a “Queen for the Day” in each building
Meet Macho, the Pony in a Blonde Wig
No birthday is complete without four-legged royalty. Returning by popular demand, Macho-a local pony fitted with a flaxen wig that channels Parton’s voluminous hair-parades through the communities. Residents line up for selfies, feed him carrot sticks, and sign a giant birthday card taped to his saddle blanket.
“He’s a local celebrity,” says Sara Bailey, Waltonwood’s senior regional director of sales. “The residents just love him. He brings so much excitement to the events.”
How the Tradition Started
Life-enrichment director Lindsay Charlefour hatched the idea after devouring Parton’s book Behind the Seams. She penciled in every activity she could imagine-crafts using rhinestones, karaoke marathons, screenings of Steel Magnolias-and still ran out of calendar space. By 2024 the concept had spread to every Waltonwood location, cementing an annual tradition.
Giving Back Like Dolly
The celebration mirrors Parton’s philanthropic spirit. Each campus hosts a children’s book drive that benefits neighborhood schools, echoing the star’s Imagination Library, which mails free books to kids worldwide. Last year residents collected 1,200 titles; this year they hope to top 1,500.
“The values of Waltonwood and Dolly line up with our mission,” explains Heather Laskos, marketing manager. “Her philanthropy is very down to earth, and we like to carry on those values.”
Residents Trade Schedules for Sparkles
Linda Cooper, 76, swapped her usual Tuesday coffee klatch for boot-scootin’ practice days in advance. “Throughout the year we have so many activities that my calendar’s full,” she tells News Of Los Angeles. “My daughters have to make appointments to see me. This party is one of our favorites.”
Cooper, a self-described Fleetwood Mac devotee, admits last year’s event converted her into a Parton fan. She and her late husband Paul learned line dances, crushed trivia night, and rewatched “9 to 5,” relating to its secretarial humor. “I discovered how much I really did like country western,” she says. “I’m a big fan now of her music, but even more of her lifestyle and what she represents.”
Staff Embrace the Glitz
Marketing manager Casey Hess dons a sequined vest for the week and greets residents with a hearty “Howdy, Miss Dolly!” Kitchen workers shape pancakes into guitars, maintenance crews string lights in starburst patterns, and housekeepers fold towels into cowboy-boot swans. Even administrators join the dance floor, two-stepping with wheelchairs and walkers.
“We are celebrating a huge milestone for Miss Dolly herself,” Hess says. “We’re just so excited to celebrate her legacy again.”
Community Impact Beyond the Party
Local musicians volunteer their time, students drop off handmade birthday cards, and families schedule visits to coincide with the festivities. The intergenerational energy combats loneliness-a core goal for Waltonwood. Post-event surveys show 92 percent of residents feel “more connected” after the themed week, according to internal data shared with News Of Los Angeles.
A Star Who Keeps Shining at 80
For Cooper, Parton’s upcoming milestone carries personal weight. “She’s an inspiration to all of us,” she says, “showing that at 80 years old we can still participate and have meaning.”
That sentiment echoes through every community room where walkers sport pink feather boas and bingo chips are traded for guitar picks. When Parton blows out her candles-likely somewhere between Nashville and her East Tennessee theme park-seniors 500 miles away will sing along, books stacked for donation at their feet and a pony wigged like a country icon parked politely for one more photo.
Key Takeaways
- “Waltonwood to Dollywood” blends entertainment and philanthropy, proving senior living can be vibrant and purpose-driven
- The event strengthens intergenerational ties and community bonds while spotlighting Parton’s literacy legacy
- Residents like Linda Cooper discover new passions and find inspiration in Parton’s lifelong generosity and sparkle
