JOLIET, IL, August 31, 2026 — In celebration of Dolly Parton’s enduring legacy and her commitment to childhood literacy, the Joliet Slammers are partnering with the Imagination Library of Will County to launch Dolly’s 9-5 Dream Deal, a special ticket offer that will help putmore books into the hands of local children.
From 9 a.m. Monday, August 31 through 5 p.m. Thursday, September 3, fans can purchase a$12 infield reserved ticket to any single Slammers home game, with $2 from every ticket purchased through the offer donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Will County. Fans can take advantage of the offer by saying “Dolly” when purchasing tickets by phone or at the Slammers Box Office. Online purchases can be made using promo code ThankYouDolly.
The promotion is a tribute to Parton and her longstanding commitment to children’s literacy through the Imagination Library, the signature program of the Dollywood Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Parton in 1988. Since launching in 1995, the Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The Imagination Library of Will County is a local partnership between Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and the Will County Center for Economic Development. The Will County program launched in July 2025 and has already enrolled more than 8,800 children, providing local families with access to free books mailed directly to children from birth until their fifth birthday.
“Dolly Parton was an incredible woman in so many ways. She has spent decades using her platform to put books into the hands of children, and we wanted to find a small way to honor that incredible legacy here in Joliet”, said Night Train Veeck, EVP of the Joliet Slammers. “We wanted to find a way to help continue her magic right here to our community, and partnering with the Imagination Library of Will County gives our fans an opportunity to be part of something that directly benefits local children.”
The Imagination Library of Will County is entirely funded by local partners and donors, including residents who can sponsor a child for one year of free books for $16.
“Dolly’s spirit lives on through the causes she dedicated her life to, including empowering literacy for young people,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. “I appreciate theJoliet Slammers for their support of the Imagination Library, which has a proven track record ofimproving early childhood educational outcomes for children. As Dolly would say, ‘You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.’”
Fans can learn more about the Imagination Library of Will County and register their children for the program at WillCountyImaginationLibrary.org.
