Dolly Parton Appeared At The Minnesota State Fair Four Times

As Minnesotans get ready to head to the Great Minnesota Get Together, this year's State Fair may feel a little different for country music fans.

You may not realize how many times Dolly Parton has actually come to Minnesota and performed at our Minnesota State Fair. It's actually pretty incredible!

DOLLY PARTON AND THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

Just one day before the gates are scheduled to open, the world is mourning the loss of country music legend Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday, August 25th, at the age of 80.

I never realized how many times Dolly stopped by to perform at our Minnesota State Fair, but there were many!

Her appearances came in 1969, 1970, 1978, and again in 1993, according to an online article from MPR.

That means generations of Minnesotans had the opportunity to see one of the biggest names in country music take the stage at the same place where families will once again gather for cheese curds, Sweet Martha's cookies, live music and everything else that makes the Minnesota State Fair such a special tradition.

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AND WHAT TIMING...

The fair is set to open Thursday, August 27th, and as people make their plans for another trip to one of the most popular state fairs in the United States, it seems like the perfect time to remember that Dolly herself was once part of the Great Minnesota Get Together... is now.

DOLLY WAS NEVER 'JUST A SINGER'

Dolly had a beautiful voice; there is no doubt, but on top of that, she was born to be a songwriter. She gave us songs that have become part of our lives. “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You” are just a few of the songs that helped make her one of the most recognizable voices in music.

Dolly had a way of making people feel like they knew her.

Maybe it was her sense of humor. Maybe it was the rhinestones, the big hair, and the larger-than-life personality. Or maybe it was the fact that underneath all of that sparkle, Dolly never seemed to forget where she came from.

She grew up with very little in rural Tennessee and went on to become one of the biggest stars in the world. Along the way, she became an actress, businesswoman, songwriter, and philanthropist.

THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY WILL CONTINUE

For many people, her work through the Imagination Library may be one of the most important parts of her legacy.

The program has helped put free books into the hands of millions of children, including children right here in Minnesota through local partners and supporters.

You can read more about that by reading the story below.

STORIES BY KELLY CORDES

With Dolly Parton’s Passing, What Happens To ‘Imagination Library’?

DOLLY PARTON'S PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE

Even though Dolly is gone, her work and her music will continue; You can be sure of it. A savvy businesswoman like Dolly probably had every i dotted, and every t crossed long before her untimely death. She was a thinker...a planner...and someone who wouldn't want to leave anyone hanging...not even you and me.

DOLLY WILL LIVE ON

Her songs will continue playing on the radio. Children will continue opening books that arrived because of the program she created. And fans will continue sharing stories about the times they saw her perform.

For some Minnesotans, those memories may go all the way back to the Minnesota State Fair.

Maybe they were there in 1969 or 1970. Maybe they saw her in 1978. Or perhaps they were part of the crowd when she returned to the Grandstand in 1993.

She may have belonged to the whole world, but for four different appearances, Dolly Parton belonged to the Great Minnesota Get Together too.