PARTON WILL PERFORM IN FARMINGTON

FARMINGTON -- Country music superstar Dolly Parton will bring her talent and generosity to Farmington this summer to help provide care for young people in trouble.

Parton will appear at a benefit show June 6 for Presbyterian Children Services as part of Farmington's Country Days celebration.

Presbyterian Children Service, which had its beginnings in Farmington as an orphanage for children of lead miners, now operates residential treatment facilities in Farmington, Moberly and Springfield. In addition, it operates a dropout prevention program in St. Louis.

The Farmington Presbyterian Children's Home offers residential care for both boys and girls from St. Louis to the Bootheel.

Tickets for the concert went on sale Saturday. As of Wednesday, 90 percent of the tickets had been sold, then good seats remain, said a Farmington Chamber of Commerce spokesperson.

To place a phone order for tickets, call 756-3615. The tickets will be held a limited time until a check is received at the Farmington Chamber of Commerce office. Then the tickets will be mailed within 7-10 days.

Because of the demand for reserve seating tickets, a limit of ten $20 tickets has been placed on each buyer.

Tickets are priced at $20 and $15 in the first class and reserve seating. Festival seating will be $10 for adults and $5 for children.

In the past, Parton has done benefits to help children's causes. However, this is the first time she is doing a benefit outside Tennessee.

Bruce Watkins, a member of Parton's band, grew up in Farmington and talked with the singer about the benefit concert. She endorsed the idea.