The tribute begins Saturday, Aug. 29, with screenings of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, followed by Steel Magnolias on Sunday. Twelve Regal locations throughout Tennessee will host the films, with tickets priced at $9.25. Following the state-specific launch, the program will expand to Regal theatres nationwide the following weekend to further bolster the nonprofit’s funding. Proceeds in Tennessee will be funneled through the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, a key partner in the program’s mission to provide free books to children from birth to age five.

Vikki Neil, Head of Marketing at Regal, noted that the initiative reflects the company’s East Tennessee roots and a desire to honor Parton’s enduring local and global influence. Founded in 1995, the Imagination Library has evolved from a local project in Sevier County into a massive global effort. By 2026, the reach of the program had expanded to where one in every six children under the age of five in the United States receives a book monthly. Jeff Conyers, President of The Dollywood Foundation, emphasized that the organization remains committed to carrying forward the singer’s philosophy of responsibility and giving back, ensuring her mission persists for future generations.