Locals gather for Dolly Parton vigil at Hunters in Palm Springs, downtown Pride flag set at half-staff

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - Locals and visitors gathered at Hunters in downtown Palm Springs to pay tribute to Dolly Parton.

A vigil was held at the popular gay club on Arenas Road, where fans gathered in joy and sadness. Organizers said the goal was to bring together love, lights, memories, and gratitude for a true legend.

" Dolly transcends every boundary and every socioeconomic, you know, grouping that you can think of. She is someone that everyone can relate to. Everyone is a fan of her. I don't know anybody that doesn't love Dolly on some level or another," said Rusty Waters, a local resident and drag queen who organized the vigil.

"She's like my biggest inspiration for all my drag, everything in my life. I've always lived by it. If you see somebody without a smile, give them yours, and it's a huge loss, huge loss, but I don't think she would want us to be upset, so we'll celebrate her," said Dolly Pardon'me, a local drag queen.

The giant Pride flag nearby along Arenas Road is also flying at half-staff. Palm Springs Pride, the non-profit that puts together a lot of LGBTQ+ events around the city,

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"Well, today sucks. The Pride flag in the Arenas District is flying at half-staff tonight as Palm Springs and people all over the world mourn Dolly Parton, a once-in-a-generation artist whose heart was every bit as extraordinary as her talent.

Dolly made generations of LGBTQ+ people feel seen, loved and welcomed. Long before allyship became a familiar word, she spoke up for equality, celebrated authenticity, encouraged people being exactly who they were and reminded us that with humor, grace and plenty of rhinestones, that we are here to love one another, not judge one another.

And she lived those values. Through her Imagination Library, disaster relief, support for medical research and countless acts of generosity, Dolly used her success to open doors and lift others up.

Her spirit always felt right at home in Palm Springs: joyful, glamorous, fiercely individual and accepting of all.

Today, our flag is lowered, but our gratitude for Dolly, her art, music, the laughs, and the love she gave the world, will always fly high.

We will always love you, Dolly."