Attendees at the Dolly Parton vigil take a photo together on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The pair wore Dolly Parton T-shirts. A vigil attendee pets her dog at the Dolly Parton vigil on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Multiple attendees brought pets to the event. Jessica Storey-Nagy sings and plays guitar at the Dolly Parton vigil on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Storey-Nagy played “My Tennessee Mountain Home” and “9 to 5”. Attendees at the Dolly Parton vigil pass the flame between tealights, Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The event was held to honor and provide a space to grieve Parton. Attendees at the Dolly Parton vigil pass a flame between candles Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Attendees wore rhinestones and Dolly Parton merchandise in Parton’s honor. IU junior Elizabeth Axsom holds a candle at the Dolly Parton vigil on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Axsom shared personal anecdotes about her connection to Dolly Parton. IU senior Danin Richardson speaks at the Dolly Parton vigil on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Richardson was the organizer of the event. A Dolly Parton vigil attendee takes a video on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Many attendees took photos and videos of the crowd. A piper plays "Amazing Grace" to begin the Dolly Parton vigil, Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The event had an open mic for attendees to sing, speak or reminisce about Parton. Marabai Rose holds a candle at the Dolly Parton vigil on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Rose sang “I will always love you” at the event. A group of vigil attendees listen to a speech on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. Multiple attendees shared their experiences meeting Parton or connections to her life. A group of vigil attendees listen to a speech on Aug. 29, 2026, at Sample Gates in Bloomington. The flag on campus was raised half mast in response to Parton’s death.
PHOTOS: 'We will always love you': Bloomington community celebrates Dolly Parton
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