Twenty farms across the United States and Canada have opened corn mazes featuring the likeness of the late country music artist and philanthropist Dolly Parton. The mazes, located in approximately 12 states and two provinces, were designed to honor Parton and raise funds for her Imagination Library, a nonprofit organization that provides free books to children. The tributes follow Parton's death at age 80 on August 25 in Nashville, Tennessee, due to cancer.
The project was organized by The Maize Inc., a Utah-based consulting company that designs agricultural attractions. According to founder Brett Herbst, the Dolly Parton-themed mazes were planned months before her death as part of an annual campaign that previously featured country music artists Reba McEntire in 2023, Luke Bryan in 2024, and Lainey Wilson in 2025. In a statement provided before her death, Parton thanked the organizers for their support of her literacy charity.
Individual locations, such as a field near Twins BBQ in Brookfield, Connecticut, feature large-scale renderings of Parton’s face and hair, accompanied by text and stars. Business co-owner Danielle Gallop reported that visitors have engaged with the tribute by wearing themed attire. In addition to the physical mazes, many locations include trivia games and photo opportunities. Following Parton's death, other tributes have included a drive to rename the Nashville airport and an increase in online streaming of her music catalog.
For the Imagination Library, the impact is measured by the funds generated to distribute books to children at no cost to their families. The number of books or children reached by this specific maze campaign was not reported. However, the organization functions by sending books directly to households, a service that relies on external fundraising efforts like these agricultural tributes.
The project also influences local tourism by creating seasonal destinations that draw visitors to rural farm locations. The effects include increased traffic to neighboring businesses, as noted by the proximity of the Connecticut maze to a local restaurant. Most individual farms typically remain open through the end of October or early November. No specific dates for the conclusion of the fundraising period were reported.