New Orleans 'Krewe of Dolly' parade honours late Dolly Parton

A marching group calling itself the Krewe of Dolly led a parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans on Friday, joining a wave of tributes to the late singer Dolly Parton being held around the world.

The timing of the observances nods to Parton's hit song "9 to 5": communities dedicated Friday, Sept. 25, to honouring the country music star.

Among those taking part was Beth Incardona, a member of the Krewe of Dolly, who said the world would be better off with more people like Parton. "If the world had more Dolly Partons, it would be a much better place," she said.

Dewuan Harry, who attended the parade, said the scale of the turnout stood out. "It's incredible, to know that this many people loved and supported her, loved her music, loved her sense of style," Harry said. "I'm really blown over by how many people are here. Men and women, dressed like Dolly."

The procession featured participants dressed as Parton, including women who stopped to take photographs, and at least one person wearing butterfly pins in her hair.

Lisa Laursen, another fan at the event, described the singer's influence on her. "Dolly just meant so much to me since I was a little girl," Laursen said. "She's just such a shining example of a beautiful, giving human who's, like, authentically herself and always has been. And, just taught me so many lessons. I think she taught me to be a feminist before I even knew what the word feminist was."

Parton died of cancer last month at the age of 80. Over the decades she built a wide-ranging legacy as a singer-songwriter, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur.