The Dolly & Porter Stroll
Date: October 2, 2025
Location: Downtown West Plains, Missouri
Event Duration: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Story Behind the Dolly & Porter Stroll
The inspiration for the Dolly & Porter Stroll comes straight from West Plains’ own musical roots. Porter Wagoner, born just south of town in 1927, got his start right here—working as a meat cutter on the Square before being discovered by KWTO Radio in Springfield. His rise to fame helped introduce the world to Dolly Parton, whose career took off after joining The Porter Wagoner Show. Together, they created unforgettable music and moments that still resonate today.
Since both Dolly and Porter are known for their iconic looks and larger-than-life personalities, we thought it would be fun to build one of our First Thursday Downtown Strolls around their legacy. The result is a celebration filled with costumes, music, and Americana charm—a chance for the community to honor local history while having a little fun.
This event is more than just rhinestones and wigs. It’s about recognizing how small towns shape big stories. Porter Wagoner and Don Warden (Dolly’s longtime collaborator and originally from Mountain Grove) are reminders of the talent and heart that come from places like ours. Dolly continues to inspire through her Imagination Library and her message of love, hope, and literacy.
Fun Fact: Dolly and Porter performed together on the square in downtown West Plains during Porter Wagoner Day on September 25, 1971, when Porter Wagoner Boulevard was officially named. It’s a special piece of local history that adds depth to this celebration.
We know their relationship had its complexities, but our goal is to celebrate the good that came from their collaboration—the music, the cultural impact, and the joy they brought to audiences.
The Dolly & Porter Stroll is part of a monthly-themed community stroll held in downtown West Plains, celebrating local creativity, music, and family-friendly fun. The event features a variety of activities designed to engage attendees of all ages and encourage foot traffic to downtown businesses.
Planned Activities Include:
“Rags to Art: Finding Beauty in Cast-off Fibers” Art Show: A public art exhibition with community voting via canned goods donations. (Click link for more details)
Art Show with Dennis Crider’s original photos of Dolly & Porter performing in the Southwest corner of our square
Costume Contest: Open to all ages with prizes awarded for creativity and theme alignment. (Click link for more details)
Pie Bake-Off Fundraiser: Local bakers compete in a judged and auctioned pie contest to raise funds for downtown initiatives. (Click link for more details)
Porter Wagoner Memorabilia Scavenger Hunt through the shops of downtown
Thank you to our event sponsors:
