For the love of Dolly

A rocking chair, a guitar and children’s books transformed the stage at The Max Event Venue into a little piece of Dolly Parton’s front porch. But for founder Pete Tanguay, the children who settled in to read made the tribute complete.

“My favorite part of the event was seeing the children on the stage reading books,” he said.

The downtown Conway venue welcomed the community Sept. 25 for “Remembering Dolly!”—a free evening celebrating the beloved entertainer’s music, generosity and enduring influence. Following Parton’s death Aug. 25 at age 80, the gathering offered fans a place to share memories and celebrate a woman whose impact extended far beyond the stage.

Conway proclaimed Sept. 25 Dolly Parton Day, with the date offering a fitting nod to her iconic “9 to 5.” The celebration also connected with the Dollywood Foundation’s nationwide Give Like Dolly Day, honoring her philanthropic work through the Imagination Library.

At The Max, recorded concert performances played across four large screens as guests connected over their affection for Dolly. Tanguay, Max founder and chief dreamer, partnered with the Faulkner County Imagination Library to spotlight her commitment to helping children discover the joy of reading.

That commitment reaches thousands of local mailboxes. According to the University of Central Arkansas, 4,100 Faulkner County children are enrolled to receive a book by mail each month. UCA’s Division of Outreach & Community Engagement administers the local program, supported by state funding, business sponsorships and individual donors.

The evening also reflected the generosity of downtown businesses and event partners. Contributors included Honey Do Rentals + Events, D&C Event Services, The Thirsty Horse Mobile Bar, America Jane Vintage, Malys Family Entertainment Center, Jill McCollum Catering, A&M Cake Designs, LLC, Cross Creek Sandwich Shop and Crossman Printing and Copying.

“This shows the true spirit of our Downtown Conway businesses coming together for our community,” Tanguay said.

The Max hosts several free community gatherings each year, and Tanguay is considering making this celebration an annual tradition. For now, the image of children reading on Dolly’s “front porch” offers a reminder that her story continues with every book opened.

To learn about enrolling a child or supporting the Faulkner County Imagination Library, visit uca.edu/outreach/dolly.