Dolly Parton followers can already have a good time the nation music icon by visiting the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee, staying at her resorts and lodges or reserving a keep in her retired tour bus.
And now, if the near 50,000 signers of a Change.org petition get their want, the airport in Tennessee’s capital will change its title from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Dolly Parton International Airport.
“Dolly Parton represents the best of us,” a petition signer named Bonnie mentioned. “A true humanitarian, she sets an example for all of us.”
Allen, one other signer, considers the decision for a reputation change “a cause we can truly all get behind.”
Lydia Popovich and Dan Dion — the 2 Dolly Parton followers who began the petition in January — describe Dolly Parton as a “national treasure” and a Tennessee legend. The petition factors out that Parton shouldn’t be solely a celebrated artist “who encourages love, acceptance, and goodwill through her music” however can also be a philanthropist “known for her countless contributions to society.”
Beyond her “outstanding influence” within the music business and “the love she has instilled in our hearts through her actions and songs,” the petition additionally cites Parton’s creation and help of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, which has gifted greater than 100 million books to youngsters since 1995.
“It is only fitting that an institution as significant as Nashville International Airport carries the name of such a remarkable woman,” in response to the petition.
Plus, organizers level out that if the petition succeeds, “We could all be ‘Departin’ from Parton.'” You should admit it does have a catchy ring to it.
An airport with wealthy tradition, already
Nashville International Airport sits about 6 miles southeast of downtown. It was established in 1937 and will get its International Air Transport Association code — BNA — from its unique title, Berry Field Nashville, which honored the primary airport administrator, Col. Harry S. Berry. The airport’s title modified to Nashville International Airport in 1988.
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The airport has a strong reside music sequence and a postsecurity cocktails-to-go program; it additionally not too long ago established a visitor cross program to permit nonticketed guests to benefit from the airport’s choices.
Back in January, when the petition had about 2,600 signers, Parton informed The Tennessean that she thought renaming the airport in her honor was “probably more of a joke than anything.”
She added that whereas “[i]t does sound like a lot of fun to say: Your flight is departin’ from Nashville’s D. Parton,” she couldn’t think about the airport title change “as an actual thing.”
Currently, petition co-sponsor Dion describes the marketing campaign efforts as within the “visibility stage, garnering interest and gathering supporters.” He mentioned the petition is encouraging individuals to achieve out to particular representatives, “but we’re not currently trying to pin them down for a comment or requesting specific legislative action.”
Mixed outcomes renaming airports
This is not the primary try to rename Nashville’s airport.
In mid-March, a invoice to rename BNA after President Donald Trump was voted down by a bipartisan vote within the Tennessee House of Representatives.
When requested concerning the proposed Dolly Parton title change, officers on the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority responded through e mail that the airport’s present title — Nashville International Airport — is a “globally recognized brand with a reputation that extends around the world” and that the ability has “a bright future as the Nashville International Airport.”
While a marketing campaign to rename Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) after TV pioneer and youngsters’s entertainer Fred Rogers went nowhere, efforts to rename different airports for celebrities have succeeded.
California’s Orange County Airport (SNA) was renamed John Wayne Airport (SNA) in 1979 in honor of the film star and space resident.
In 2000, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to vary the title of California’s Sonoma County Airport (STS) to Charles M. Schulz—Sonoma County Airport (STS) to honor the native resident and well-known cartoonist who introduced the world the beloved “Peanuts” cartoon.
In 2001, New Orleans International Airport (MSY) modified to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in honor of the native-born musician’s one hundredth birthday.
Louisville International Airport (SDF), which was as soon as Standiford Field, modified to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) in 2019 to honor the boxing champion and activist who was born within the metropolis.
Across the pond, Liverpool Airport (LBL), initially Speke Airport, grew to become the primary U.Okay. airport to be named after a person when it modified its title in 2001 to Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) to honor the well-known Beatle.
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