Dollywood down under: Dolly Parton fans and drag queens turn a tiny Australian town pink

NARROMINE, 13 OCTOBER 2026 —

Narromine, a rural Australian township located 430 kilometers north-west of Sydney, has been transformed into "Dollymine" for the fifth annual Dolly Parton tribute festival, an event that has drawn a record 1,600 attendees to the community.

The gathering serves as a vibrant celebration of inclusivity and community spirit, with the town’s main street undergoing a metamorphosis into a micro-Dollywood, characterized by a sea of pink, rhinestones, and butterflies.

The significance of this year’s festival extends beyond mere entertainment, as it represents a milestone for a community that has faced significant challenges in recent years. Organizers note that the event was originally conceived to revitalize the local community following a devastating drought that lasted from 2017 to 2019. The pandemic subsequently delayed the inaugural event until 2022, but the festival has since grown to become the nation’s largest and only Dolly Parton festival.

The record ticket sales, equivalent to just under half of Narromine’s population, underscore the event’s impact on the local economy and social fabric.

Jen Ballhausen, a local resident who has volunteered on the festival’s committee since its inception, explains that the idea was proposed by a super fan volunteer. The committee selected Dolly Parton as the central figure because they needed a female icon to anchor the event. Ballhausen recalls that the first year was overwhelming, with the number of people dressing up exceeding expectations.

She states, "We knew we’d set a bar, and this year has well and truly exceeded it. It just gets our town on the map … to not write off a little town. If we can at least highlight that small towns are great little communities, then we’ve won."

The festival’s atmosphere is defined by a warm spirit of inclusivity, with many attendees wearing memorial tribute T-shirts bearing messages such as "We will always love you, Dolly" and "forever and always." The day begins at 9:30 am in Narromine’s main street, where muted shopfronts have been plastered with Parton’s beaming face on windows, cupcakes, and merchandise.

Performances include line dancers, drag queens, and children from the local primary school, who perform a rendition of "Baby I’m Burnin’" complete with pom poms. Despite the temperature climbing to 30 degrees Celsius, participants remain engaged, with some opting for tea towels to emulate Dolly’s cleavage in place of silicone to avoid overheating.

Wynonah Dove, a Dolly impersonator who grew up in Tennessee from a working-class background similar to Parton’s, describes the event as "especially poignant" following the singer’s sudden death. Dove recalls going a year without running water and being "dirt poor," noting that Parton’s extensive work helped explode the local economy in her hometown.

She states, "When Dolly passed, we had our first rehearsals the day after, and it was hard, I had trouble even singing the songs." Dove adds, "I just feel she’s here with us, any time there is love, light and inclusiveness being celebrated, she’s here in spirit." She emphasizes that Parton "just wanted to make the world a better place," and that for many, including herself, the singer felt like a best friend.

As the afternoon progresses, the crowd gathers at the local pub to re-energize with cold beers and live music. Many attendees are staying in the pub’s upstairs accommodation, which has been left in a state of glitter and disarray by the festivities. Among the participants is Nikolaas Kostraby, known as Dolly Delicious, who has traveled from Canberra for the past three years after a recommendation from a neighbor.

Kostraby was crowned best-dressed Dolly in 2023 and now serves on the committee as a judge. He recalls being nervous the first time he attended, fearing judgment as a man in a wig in a regional area, but found the opposite to be true. He says, "People are so kind out here, so respectful, there’s no judging."

The main stage celebrations begin at 5 pm, with a steady stream of people arriving at the oval armed with camping chairs and wigs. A hoedown quickly ensues, with couples, families, and strangers linking arms and twirling on the grass to the sound of a banjo. Lucas and his family, who traveled from Sydney with Lucas’ sister and her two children, wore custom-made T-shirts for the occasion.

Lucas, whose shirt reads "director of hair and volume," and his partner Scott, labeled "chief vibes officer," decided a year ago to attend together. Lucas notes, "It’s even more special now after her passing to be able to come and celebrate. I’m sure there’ll be many drinks and many sing-alongs tonight. It’s the soul behind her songs we love – just warming and inclusive."

The evening culminates in the crowning of the best-dressed winner, a proceeding led by drag queen Timberlina, who has emceed the festival for the past five years. Timberlina, who grew up in regional New South Wales, arrives in a vintage car and a snatched rainbow dress. The judging process begins with children, followed by the best-dressed Kenny, a homage to Parton’s longtime collaborator Kenny Rogers.

Three finalists compete in this category, including a man dressed as Woody from Toy Story. The Dolly finalists then take to the red carpet, presenting a diverse and eclectic array of costumes. One woman rides a blow-up horse, while a small child makes her way onto the stage.

Dolly Delicious, wearing his victory sash from 2023, walks among the finalists and selects Colin Marshall as the winner. Marshall is part of a tour group of 30 people who traveled to Narromine from Brisbane, organized by Fun Over 50 Holidays. He is not the only man in the group to participate in drag.

Marshall’s wife, Leanne, crafted his outfit, which consists of a hot pink tasselled dress, a blond wig, a cowboy hat, heels, and large sunglasses. Marshall accepts his sash with confidence, sashaying along the runway for a full minute, swinging his arms with abandon.

When asked how it feels to win, Marshall replies, "Good, great." The festival concludes with the descent of darkness, smudged lipstick, and lost cowboy hats, but the event has successfully highlighted the resilience and vibrancy of small-town Australia. The transformation of Narromine into Dollymine demonstrates how a tribute to a global icon can foster community, support local businesses, and provide a platform for inclusivity.

The record attendance and the emotional resonance of the event, particularly in the wake of Parton’s death, underscore the enduring impact of her legacy on fans around the world.

The festival’s success has placed Narromine on the map, challenging perceptions of rural communities as sleepy or isolated. Ballhausen’s goal to highlight that small towns are great little communities has been achieved through the sheer scale of the event and the enthusiasm of its participants. The presence of drag queens, line dancers, and families from across the country illustrates the broad appeal of the festival.

The event has become a significant cultural moment for the region, drawing attention to the community’s efforts to revitalize itself after the drought and pandemic.

The economic impact of the festival is evident in the bustling main street and the full accommodation at the local pub. The influx of visitors has provided a boost to local businesses, which have embraced the Dolly theme in their decorations and merchandise. The festival has also fostered a sense of pride among residents, who have volunteered and participated in the event’s organization.

The community’s response to the challenges of the past few years has been to create an event that celebrates joy, inclusivity, and the spirit of Dolly Parton.

As the sun sets on Narromine, the music continues to blare, and the Jim Beams flow. The best-dressed Dolly, Colin Marshall, stands as a symbol of the festival’s spirit of fun and acceptance. The event has not only honored the memory of Dolly Parton but has also strengthened the bonds within the Narromine community.

The transformation of the town into Dollymine for one weekend a year has become a tradition that looks set to continue, with organizers and participants alike eager to see what the next year brings. The festival’s success is a testament to the power of community and the enduring appeal of a beloved cultural icon.

The story of Narromine’s Dolly Parton festival is one of resilience, creativity, and community. From its origins in a desire to revitalize the town after a drought to its current status as a major cultural event, the festival has grown into a celebration of inclusivity and joy. The participation of drag queens, local residents, and visitors from across the country highlights the event’s broad appeal.

The emotional connection to Dolly Parton, particularly in the year following her death, adds a layer of poignancy to the festivities. The festival has successfully put Narromine on the map, demonstrating that small towns can be vibrant and dynamic communities.

The details of the event, from the custom-made T-shirts to the vintage car arrival of the emcee, reflect the care and enthusiasm of the participants. The judging process, which includes categories for children and Kenny Rogers, adds to the fun and inclusivity of the event. The presence of a tour group from Brisbane, organized by Fun Over 50 Holidays, shows the festival’s reach beyond the immediate region.

The winner, Colin Marshall, embodies the spirit of the festival, with his confident sashay and acceptance of the award. The event concludes with a sense of community and celebration, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

The festival’s impact on Narromine is likely to be long-lasting, as it has provided a new source of pride and economic activity for the town. The community’s ability to come together and create an event of this scale is a testament to its resilience and creativity. The festival has also attracted attention from media and visitors, further boosting the town’s profile.

The transformation of Narromine into Dollymine is a unique phenomenon that highlights the power of community and the enduring appeal of Dolly Parton’s legacy. The event has successfully combined entertainment, inclusivity, and community spirit to create a memorable experience for all involved.

As the festival comes to a close, the town of Narromine returns to its usual state, but the memories of the weekend will linger. The participants, from local volunteers to visitors from across the country, have shared in a celebration of Dolly Parton’s life and legacy. The festival has not only honored the singer but has also strengthened the community and put Narromine on the map.

The success of the event is a testament to the power of community and the enduring appeal of a beloved cultural icon. The next year’s festival is already anticipated, with organizers and participants eager to continue the tradition of inclusivity and joy.

The story of Narromine’s Dolly Parton festival is a compelling example of how a small town can leverage a cultural icon to create a vibrant and inclusive community event. The festival’s growth from a local initiative to a national event reflects the community’s resilience and creativity.

Related: Narromine