On Friday, Seattle residents will gather for a community vigil honoring country singer and philanthropist Dolly Parton. The gathering will take place from 8 to 9 p.m. near the AIDS Memorial Pathway, next to the Capitol Hill light rail station. Organizers are inviting fans to sing, grieve and express their love for the artist together. The event will be held rain or shine.
The AIDS Memorial Pathway is a public memorial space dedicated to people affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It features artworks, memorial elements and educational materials about the community’s history and activism. The Capitol Hill neighborhood is considered Seattle’s historic center of LGBTQ+ life, so the location underscores the vigil’s connection to remembering those who died and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and support.
Parton, who was 80, died Tuesday after being diagnosed with cancer, her publicist said. The Seattle vigil was initiated by Francesca Hayes, who had been a fan of the singer since childhood, thanks to her parents and grandmother. During her school years, Hayes even wrote letters to Parton, telling her that she found her beautiful and talented and loved her work.
After learning of the artist’s death, Hayes wanted to bring fans together and applied to hold the event in partnership with the Cal Anderson Park Alliance. She described Parton as someone who embodied love and acceptance and highlighted her support for the LGBTQ+ community. The singer spoke out against attacks on minorities and criticized North Carolina’s discriminatory law governing transgender people’s access to restrooms.
In addition to her music and public advocacy, Parton became known for her philanthropy. In 2023, her Imagination Library program began operating in Washington state. It sends registered children free, age-appropriate books—usually one per month from birth through age 5. United Way of the Pacific Northwest coordinates the program and recruits local partners, while participating libraries, nonprofits and other community organizations register children. Books are mailed to families, though availability depends on the county or territory and expands as local funding becomes available.
As a tribute to the singer, flags throughout the state will be flown at half-staff through Sept. 1. According to Hayes, people of different ages, cultures and identities are enthusiastically supporting the event: “She was for everyone—and completely openly so.”
Based on: Dolly Parton to be celebrated at Seattle community vigil