Farmington entertainer Jason CoZmo performed as Dolly Parton at Station Park on Friday, Sept. 25, one month after the singer's death. It was only the second time he had taken the stage as Parton since she died.

Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, according to NPR. The Station Park event, called "Night of 1,000 Dollys," marked Dolly Parton Day with her music, a costume contest and a movie screening, according to the Deseret News. The Sept. 25 date was chosen as a nod to Parton's signature song "9 to 5." Celebrations were held across the country.

"It felt almost disrespectful at first, now it feels like a duty, like I have to carry on her music, and her legacy," CoZmo told FOX 13.

CoZmo has spent 25 years building a career around the Parton tribute. He started in musical theater, worked at Disneyland, tried acting and eventually found drag performance, where the Dolly character took shape. The response changed his career.

He said the Dolly persona opened doors that years of traditional auditions had not. His screen credits portraying Parton include the Netflix film "Dumplin'," the Lionsgate film "Joe Bell" and the television series "Younger." He has also appeared on "Good Morning America" and "Tamron Hall."

At the "Dumplin'" premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Parton herself took CoZmo by the hand and led him before the press on the red carpet, according to The Viva La DIVA Show, CoZmo's production company.

CoZmo, who runs CoZmo Entertainment LLC and The Viva La DIVA Show, held a separate 10th-anniversary performance at Metro Music Hall on Sunday, Sept. 20. The show, titled "Always Love You — A Celebration of Dolly Parton," was dedicated to her memory.

Having met Parton through years of tribute work, CoZmo described her to FOX 13 as "just like a ball of energy, like a ball of light around her." He said performing as Parton has defined most of his adult life.

CoZmo said he plans to keep performing as Parton and spreading her music and message across Utah and beyond.

Upcoming community events:

• Davis School District students participate in a statewide Read-A-Thon on Friday, Oct. 2.
• Farmington Junior High boys basketball tryouts begin Wednesday, Oct. 7.
• Bountiful Junior High boys basketball intramurals start Monday, Sept. 28.