In addition to celebrating its own legacy, Friday Night Live’s 500th concert turned into a surprise tribute to the good works of Dolly Parton.
The Sept. 4 concert headlined by the rock cover band Shake the Room raised $2,000 for the Herndon chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, organizers of the free summer concert series announced today (Tuesday).
The funds included a $500 donation that Friday Night Live! founder Doug Downer and chair Laura B. Poindexter presented as an oversized check to Kurt Rose, chair of Herndon’s Imagination Library initiative. The donation was made in honor of Doug Downer’s father, Richard Downer, who died earlier this year.
A resident of Herndon for most of his life, Richard Downer served multiple terms on the Herndon Town Council and was involved in several community organizations like the ArtSpace Herndon and the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, which produces Friday Night Live! He also helped establish the town’s Imagination Library through the Rotary Club of Herndon-Reston.
Doug Downer and concert attendees who stopped by a tent for Herndon’s Imagination Library initiative also contributed to the fundraising effort.
“Reaching 500 shows is a massive achievement, and it was deeply meaningful to use this milestone to honor Richard Downer,” Friday Night Live! Chairman Laura B. Poindexter said in a press release. “Richard was instrumental in starting the Imagination Library in our town. We are proud to continue his legacy by supporting early childhood literacy for local families.”
Launched in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library initially took root in the late singer and actor’s childhood home of Sevier County, Tennessee, before expanding nationally, then internationally, over the next two decades.
Supported by Parton’s nonprofit Dollywood Foundation, the literacy program provides free books every month to participating kids from birth to 5 years old. As of 2023, it has delivered more than 200 million free books to children around the world, according to the organization’s website.
Richard Downer brought the Imagination Library to Herndon in 2005 with Rose’s help.
“[Richard Downer] wanted Herndon to be the first community in Virginia to have the Imagination Library,” Rose recalled during the check presentation. “We went to every festival, every event, and every school for years signing up kids. He was a wonderful person and a huge influence on everybody in the town of Herndon. He will always be my co-chair on this project.”
Still run by the rotary club, Herndon’s Imagination Library initiative serves households in the town’s zip codes of 20170 and 20171. The program currently has 1,650 children enrolled and has served more than 5,500 children since its inception in December 2005.
Building off the donation at its 500th concert, Friday Night Live! has partnered with the Herndon Woman’s Club to keep the fundraising drive going, encouraging community members to continue supporting the Imagination Library.
The cause will be highlighted tonight by the Herndon Town Council, which is scheduled to approve a proclamation designating this Friday (Sept. 25) as Dolly Parton Day.
In the wake of Parton’s death from cancer on Aug. 26, the occasion is being recognized by many localities, including the country music capital Nashville, in a nod to the classic labor rights movie “9 to 5.”
“From the unmistakable opening notes of 9 to 5, to the millions of books placed into the hands of children, Dolly used her talents to bring people joy and to leave the world better than she found it,” the Town of Herndon proclamation says. “Her life reminds us that lasting impact often begins with a simple act of caring for someone else.”
According to Friday Night Live!, the fundraising campaign will culminate on Friday with a special Dolly Day Celebration from 5-9 p.m. at Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern (697 Spring Street) in downtown Herndon.
“The evening will feature guest bartenders, raffles, Dolly’s signature cocktail, a full Dolly Parton playlist, and on-site donation opportunities,” organizers said.
This story was updated to correct the photo caption and clarify who presented and received Friday Night Live’s $500 donation.
