Dollies tradition continues in the Corbett family for four generations

Every year, citizens of Lovell gather and look forward to the Mustang Days celebration. Whether it’s the Follies, parade, fireworks, Family Fun Night or any of the other events, there is something for everyone, and the Dollies of the Follies are the face of it all.

For 60 years, the women that have participated in this elite group have headlined the town’s main event.

For the Corbett family, participating as a Dollie has become a family tradition and legacy that looks to continue for many years to come.

Michele Corbett was one of the original Dollies in the early years of their existence and began dancing along Main Street with the group in 1970 after her sister, Julie Frost, and cousin Lynn Strom started in 1969.

While they continued joining in the fun for several years, many of the main staples of Dollies took a break from the festivities in the late seventies. In 1983, the local fans and spectators requested a curtain call of the “oldies, but goodies” and wanted to bring back the MVPs (most valuable performers) to the show.

“They really whooped it up,” Michele’s daughter, Cindy (Corbett) Allred, said. “They were crowd pleasers and really got into it.”

Cindy remembers watching her mom get ready in her costume as she fixed her hair and makeup when she was a little girl.

“I was so proud of her and loved watching her dance,” she said. “I felt the same way this year as I watched my daughter (Stephanie) and granddaughter (Prairie) perform this summer, too. I’ve enjoyed watching them all.”

Cindy was a Dollie for four summers and was a member of the Rockettes for nine years. To her knowledge, there has only been mother/daughter combinations of Dollies of two generations until now.

With Stephanie wearing the orange-colored costume this year, that marks the third generation of Corbett women that have lined the streets with their high kicks and energetic personalities. Stephanie’s daughter, Prairie, was also a mini-Dollie and has already shown interest in continuing the legacy. 

“When I was a Dollie, I enjoyed the glory of the whole experience, and it was the popular thing to do in Lovell,” Cindy said. “I just always thought of my mom and that it was so cool to be doing it like her.”

Although her ideal goal would have been for all her daughters to become Dollies and perform together in the same year, she was proud the tradition has continued.

“I never thought about being a Dollie before,” Stephanie said. “I moved away at 18 years old, and when I moved back, I had my business to run and my daughter to raise.”

Fellow current Dollie, Lacee Davila, and her mom were the ones to convince her to do it this year, and she is glad she did.

“I really enjoyed getting to know the girls and learning the dances together. I had so much fun,” she noted. “Sharing that experience with Prairie has been so special.”

She wasn’t sure how her daughter would like the whole ordeal since she’s only 3 years old, but she fell in love with it. Prairie even woke up upset after having a dream that she missed being on the float for the Byron Days parade because she looked forward to dressing up for each event. 

“I am very proud to pass down the tradition in the family to my daughter, and I hope one day she is a real Dollie, too,” Stephanie said. “And if she ever has a daughter, I will hope they do it together like we did, as well.”