Country music legend Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at age 80, headlined plenty of big arena gigs across Pennsylvania throughout the years in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Hershey, and State College.
But way back in 1971, Parton was on the bottom of the bill at the York Inter-State Fair (now known as the York State Fair) as part of a country music show on the grandstand while her star was still on the rise.
The “Country Music Spectacular,” held on Friday, Sept. 17, featured stars from the Grand Ole Opry and the television show “Hee Haw.”
The entertainers included Loretta Lynn, Archie Campbell, Grandpa Jones, Jan Howard, Lester Flatt, Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, and Parton, according to a newspaper advertisement.
Tickets cost $2.50, $3.50, and $4, according to the advertisement.
That’s right: You could have seen Dolly Parton perform for $2.50.
Parton was performing with Wagoner at the time. Just weeks after performing at the fair, Wagoner and Parton won Vocal Duo of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards.
