C2C Festival is teaming up with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library UK, with fans helping to support the country icon’s mission to inspire a love of reading among young children.

The new partnership has been announced to mark Give Like Dolly Day on September 25, a global celebration of Dolly Parton’s lifelong commitment to giving back.

As part of the deal, £1 will be added to every C2C 2027 day ticket and £2 to every weekend ticket, with all proceeds going directly to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

The programme sends a free, carefully selected, age-appropriate book to children every month from birth until their fifth birthday.

And with C2C expected to attract almost 90,000 country fans across its three UK venues next year, the partnership has the potential to help reach even more children.

C2C 2027 takes place from March 12 to 14, with the festival returning to The O2 in London, Glasgow’s OVO Hydro and Manchester’s AO Arena.

For Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library UK, the partnership brings together two very different sides of the country music superstar’s legacy.

“We are absolutely delighted that C2C has chosen to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” said Clare Cook, Director of Fundraising and Communications at The Dollywood Foundation UK.

“Dolly’s music means so much to the country music community, and it feels incredibly special to have C2C and its fans helping to continue another important part of her legacy.”

Cook added: “Dolly believed passionately that every child should have the chance to dream big.”

The Imagination Library was launched by Parton in 1995, inspired by her father’s inability to read and write. The initiative has since grown into a global book-gifting programme, with more than 300 million books gifted across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.

In the UK, the first Imagination Library book was sent in 2008. The programme now reaches almost 90,000 children every month, while more than three million books are delivered globally each month.

Jack Dowling of SJM Concerts and Rachel Lloyd of AEG Presents said C2C was proud to help continue Parton’s work.

“The work of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has created a legacy that will be felt for generations to come,” they said.

“As one of country music’s most influential figures, Dolly has always championed giving back, and we’re proud that the C2C community can help play a part in supporting this inspiring programme that will benefit children in the UK.”

So while C2C 2027 promises another weekend of big country names, packed arenas and plenty of Nashville spirit, fans will also be helping put a few more books through the letterbox of a child who might otherwise miss out.

A little extra on the ticket, and a potentially lasting impact.

Keep up to date with everything Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: 

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Author: Andrew Braithwaite

Andrew is the founder and chief editor of Music Talkers. He's also a keen music enthusiast and plays the guitar.