I want to let everyone know about this amazing little theater in my semi-hometown of North Vernon Indiana.
Park Theater Civic Center
Park Theater Civic Center
This amazing venue is called The Park Theater and Civic Center and it was originally built in 1916 as a theater and operated into the early 1960's as a movie house until it closed down for good in 1962.
About 12 years ago a campaign was started to renovate and reopen the Park Theatre as both a venue for live entertainment and a movie house. On September 29, 2007 I attended the 4th annual celebration of the reopenning of the Park Theater.
Restoring The Park Theater
The Headliner for the evening was Mrs. Brenda Williams who gave thrilling renditions of several memorable songs including probably my personal favorite song "What a Wonderful World" which always brings a happy tear to my eye. Included in the show was an abundance of Jennings County's great local talent such as the Jennings County High School Swing Choir, a High School Strings Group playing some down home country music on two fiddles, a dulcimer, mandolin, banjo, guitar, and bass, a soloist belting out a popular Carol King tune, an excellent Christian Country/Rock Group called Grafted, and a member of the Park Theater Board named Brian Perry who ran us through several fine solos.
Many events of the past four years were remembered and many fine people were honored. Of note are the donors who make it possible for the Park to keep its ticket prices low for the people of North Vernon and Jennings County. These Donors also make it possible for the Park to continue its Free Movie Wednesdays presented over the past four summers for the children of Jennings County. Also of note is the economic growth that the Park Theater has brought to downtown North Vernon over the past 4 years. I want to stress the importance of keeping the ticket prices low. The fine lady who started the renovation drive continually speaks of the joy the Park Theater brought to her life as a child growing up in a three room house in the country "as poor as a church mouse." Going to the Park Theater was something she looked forward to citing it as a rare and joyful event and something she wants everyone to be able to enjoy now and in the future!
~~MY OWN THOUGHTS ON THE PARK THEATER~~
THANK YOU HULDA!!!!
As a parent I feel truly blessed to know of this small gem of a theater. With its low ticket prices for musical acts, movies, and live performances I have taken advantage of it to introduce my children to the culture and arts they would not be able to experience otherwise. Tickets for the same shows elsewhere run at $35+ each. Here my whole family can go for that amount! The concession stand is moderately priced (a large bag of popcorn, large coke and package of candy costs $3.50), the people are friendly, and many of them know my name (or my mom's).
The entertainment offerings are varied and extensive ranging from New Feature Children's Films (priced well below the chains) to Classic Films (Sabrina, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind), to Children's Classics, to Special Events (Polar Express Train Trip to Vernon and Movie, Santa Claus Comes to Town), to Live Children's Plays (Ameilia Bedilia, Charlottes Web and much more to come this season), to the Preservation Jazz Band, to Brenda Williams, to Political Forums, to the Jennings County Players Shows (the Local Acting Troop), to the Annual Blue Grass Festival, to the Teenage Garage Bands "Day at the Park Festival", there is something for everyone and it is always a pleasure to be here!
Take Hwy 46 east to Columbus. Hwy 46 merges with Hwy 7 in Columbus. Continue on Hwy 7 south to North Vernon. Hwy 3 merges with Hwy 7 in North Vernon. Continue south on Hwy 3&7 to Main Street in downtown North Vernon. Turn left onto Main Street and then right onto Madison Avenue. The Park Theatre will be on your right. Parking is available along Madison Avenue, Short Street, and in the city public parking lot around the corner off of Main Street.
More Information About The Park Theater and Jennings County INRestoring The Park Theater
The Headliner for the evening was Mrs. Brenda Williams who gave thrilling renditions of several memorable songs including probably my personal favorite song "What a Wonderful World" which always brings a happy tear to my eye. Included in the show was an abundance of Jennings County's great local talent such as the Jennings County High School Swing Choir, a High School Strings Group playing some down home country music on two fiddles, a dulcimer, mandolin, banjo, guitar, and bass, a soloist belting out a popular Carol King tune, an excellent Christian Country/Rock Group called Grafted, and a member of the Park Theater Board named Brian Perry who ran us through several fine solos.
Many events of the past four years were remembered and many fine people were honored. Of note are the donors who make it possible for the Park to keep its ticket prices low for the people of North Vernon and Jennings County. These Donors also make it possible for the Park to continue its Free Movie Wednesdays presented over the past four summers for the children of Jennings County. Also of note is the economic growth that the Park Theater has brought to downtown North Vernon over the past 4 years. I want to stress the importance of keeping the ticket prices low. The fine lady who started the renovation drive continually speaks of the joy the Park Theater brought to her life as a child growing up in a three room house in the country "as poor as a church mouse." Going to the Park Theater was something she looked forward to citing it as a rare and joyful event and something she wants everyone to be able to enjoy now and in the future!
~~MY OWN THOUGHTS ON THE PARK THEATER~~
THANK YOU HULDA!!!!
As a parent I feel truly blessed to know of this small gem of a theater. With its low ticket prices for musical acts, movies, and live performances I have taken advantage of it to introduce my children to the culture and arts they would not be able to experience otherwise. Tickets for the same shows elsewhere run at $35+ each. Here my whole family can go for that amount! The concession stand is moderately priced (a large bag of popcorn, large coke and package of candy costs $3.50), the people are friendly, and many of them know my name (or my mom's).
The entertainment offerings are varied and extensive ranging from New Feature Children's Films (priced well below the chains) to Classic Films (Sabrina, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind), to Children's Classics, to Special Events (Polar Express Train Trip to Vernon and Movie, Santa Claus Comes to Town), to Live Children's Plays (Ameilia Bedilia, Charlottes Web and much more to come this season), to the Preservation Jazz Band, to Brenda Williams, to Political Forums, to the Jennings County Players Shows (the Local Acting Troop), to the Annual Blue Grass Festival, to the Teenage Garage Bands "Day at the Park Festival", there is something for everyone and it is always a pleasure to be here!
How to Get Here From Bloomington:
Take Hwy 46 east to Columbus. Hwy 46 merges with Hwy 7 in Columbus. Continue on Hwy 7 south to North Vernon. Hwy 3 merges with Hwy 7 in North Vernon. Continue south on Hwy 3&7 to Main Street in downtown North Vernon. Turn left onto Main Street and then right onto Madison Avenue. The Park Theatre will be on your right. Parking is available along Madison Avenue, Short Street, and in the city public parking lot around the corner off of Main Street.
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