Skip to content

Join the Fun - It's Dolly Parton’s 80th Birthday Extravaganza

EducationHuman InterestCommunityGeneral News ArticlePress Release

 BATAVIA, IL – January can be slow, let us help you change that! Batavia United Way is celebrating Dolly Parton’s 80th Birthday Extravaganza with 4 brand-new community events.

The first is a week-long scavenger hunt designed to bring families into our local businesses while raising money for Batavia’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a monthly book-gifting program for children from birth to age 5. Participants can purchase “Good Golly, Where’s Dolly?” scavenger hunt sheets at Sturdy Shelter from Saturday, Jan. 17 through Saturday, Jan. 24, then follow clues to local businesses to find “Dolly” hiding inside. Participants can turn in their completed sheet on January 23 or 24 at Sturdy Shelter for a chance to win gift cards to participating businesses. 
 
Feel like dancing to some Dolly inspired music?  Join us for “Boots for Books” Line Dancing lessons with Studio D7! Channel your inner Dolly Parton and dress for our costume contest. Two sessions are available on Friday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at Sturdy Shelter. Register today; spots are filling up fast!  www.bataviaunitedway.org
 
Kids can celebrate Dolly too!  Head to the Batavia Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. for a drop-in Birthday Party!  Kids under age 5 can celebrate with crafts, games, a photo booth and more!  No registration required. 
 
Maybe trivia is more your speed?  Head to Sturdy Shelter on January 24th at 7 p.m. for Rockin’ Rhinestone Trivia with Oliver!  Costumes encouraged at this free Dolly-inspired trivia.  We’ll also have some amazing Dolly Parton–inspired raffle baskets packed with charm, comfort, and a touch of rhinestone-worthy flair!

Why Participate?

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a widely researched program promoting early childhood development and literacy skills.  Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was launched in 1995 by The Dollywood Foundation, providing free books to children in Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee. Since launching, it has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world.  The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland.  This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and local community partners like Batavia United Way. The goal of the program is to inspire a love of books and reading among children. Children must be registered by a parent or guardian in order to receive the books.

There is no charge to the participants to register or receive the books.  Age-appropriate books are mailed directly to the homes of registered children each month.  Interested in sponsoring books for a neighbor in our community?  The cost to send monthly books to one child for one year is $31.  Show your love for literacy and support Batavia’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library today!  Join one of our dazzling Dolly events or donate today!  For more information, visit: https://bataviaunitedway.org/imagination_library/
 

Join the Fun - It's Dolly Parton’s 80th Birthday Extravaganza