Rodgers Theatre Inc., invites everyone to ring in the holiday season with a showing of the 1942 Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street at the Historic Rodgers Theatre. The film will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, following the 2017 River Radio Lighted Christmas Parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m., in Downtown Poplar Bluff.
"This is a classic movie, which is what we like to present at the Rodgers," said Wally Duncan, President of Rodgers Theatre Inc. "It's a story of faith and hope and pulls together the things that make the Christmas season special."
This year's event is sponsored by US Bank, and admission is free. However, donations will be accepted to benefit the Historic Rodgers Theatre restoration efforts. The Lemonade House Grill will have food options available to purchase in the former drugstore next to the theater immediately following the parade, and concessions will be available inside.
Duncan said the holiday favorite, starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, and a very young Natalie Wood, focuses on the impact of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa.
"This highly honored film has been selected for preservation by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,'" he said.
Duncan said he hopes folks take advantage of the close proximity of the theater and evening's festivities to the parade route.
"We really want people to use this opportunity to enjoy Downtown Poplar Bluff," he said. "We've focused on making this so they can come to the parade, then come to the Rodgers, have something to eat, and watch the movie."
Earlier this year, RTI renewed a fundraising campaign to raise money for needed renovations throughout the theater. Through the efforts of many community volunteers and donors, Duncan said, more than $70,000 was raised in cash and pledges.
He added that RTI recently utilized a portion of unused tax credits to repair and replace the building's storm water drainage system.
"Thanks to Ben Traxel and the team at Property Pro, we have been able to rechannel much of the storm water that was coming into the building," Duncan said.
For more information on upcoming events at the Historic Rodgers Theatre, visit rodgerstheatre.org.