Country music queen Dolly Parton’s death at age 80, just six weeks short of the local festival named in her honour, will no doubt make this year’s event more than a little poignant for those who will gather in Narromine for it.

As the world mourns the musical legend, award-winning songwriter, actress, and philanthropist, who died on August 25 in Nashville Tennessee after what a family spokesperson described as “a brief battle with cancer”, many have been asking if the sad event will impact Narromine’s Dolly Parton Festival which will take place on Saturday, October 10.

No, according to the mayor of Narromine Shire, Cr Ewen Jones.

As news of Dolly’s death ricocheted around the world, Cr Jones said that Narromine had developed its own very special connection with the country music legend that will carry on, because she is so loved locally and beyond – much like her song made famous for a new generation by Whitney Houston in the 1992 film “The Bodyguard”: “I Will Always Love You”.

“This year's festival will obviously have a different significance following [the sad] news,” Cr Jones said.

“It provides an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate Dolly's extraordinary life, music and legacy,” he added.

Now in its fifth year and growing in patronage each time it is staged, the event has become bigger and better every year, attracting people from the east coast and interstate. Thousands of people attended the daytime Street Party in Narromine last year while some 1200 people attended the ticketed evening concert at Cale Oval.

“Over those five years, many thousands of locals and visitors have come together to celebrate the music, colour, fun and positive spirit associated with Dolly,” the mayor said of the now-annual festival.

“Dolly's warmth, optimism and ability to connect with people are a big part of why the festival has been embraced so strongly.”

This year’s evening concert program will bring festival patrons even closer to the event’s namesake, as the headline act – Dolly tribute performer Wynonah Dove – hails from the Southern Appalachian Highlands in the USA, not far from Dolly Parton’s own theme park Dollywood and the hometown of the singer herself.

“Expect big hair, rhinestones, mountain stories, Southern charm, a little sass, and the full Smoky Mountain experience – straight from the hills that shaped Dolly’s music and mine,” Ms Dove said earlier this year.

Following news of Dolly’s passing, Ms Dove posted this to social media: “I’ve often joked I was anti-guru. Turns out, I had one all along. Her name was Dolly. And now she’s gone.”

Another former headline act from the 2023 Narromine Dolly Parton Festival who tours the world with her tribute act honouring the country music queen – world famous Australian-born performer Kelly O’Brien, who lives in the UK – also paid tribute to Dolly on social media.

“I am devastated by the news of Dolly's passing,” she said.

“Dolly has been a huge impact on my life. Performing as her for the last 20 years means that I have a deep appreciation for the person she was... her kindness, her philanthrophy, her musical genius, her artistry, her business sense, her humour,” Ms O’Brien added.

“God bless you, Dolly.”

This year's Narromine Dolly Parton Festival program also features performances by Nathan Lamont and the Country Legend Tributes Band.

Mayor Jones said the annual festival celebrates the music held dear by so many while also bringing the community and visitors together for an incredible day and night of entertainment, supported by other events locally that support the festival.

He expects the community, local businesses and the many fans of the Narromine Dolly Parton Festival will continue to support and build on previous events as the world adjusts to life without the real-life shining star who inspired it all.