The Midland Theater Foundation recently held an event to celebrate—what would have been—the 100th birthday of the theater’s former owner, Pearl Richardson.
The event “An Evening for Pearl: Celebrating 100 Years” was originally planned as an outdoor BBQ and street party on Saturday, May 19, 2018, directly in front of the historic theater in downtown Coffeyville. However, due to rain and potential for additional thunderstorms throughout the evening, the foundation decided to move to party to an indoor setting. Pastor Nicole Schwartz-Eck and the First United Methodist Church graciously offered up the use of Fellowship Hall in their church basement. The hall worked perfectly for the change in venue—providing ample space, seating and tables for all who attended, a full kitchen, on-site restrooms as well as a stage for entertainment.
Haylie Bagwell, Vice President of The Midland Theater Foundation and Chair of the Board’s Events & Marketing Committee, estimates that more than 100 supporters of the foundation’s efforts were present for the evening’s festivities—including adults and children of all ages. “We had a wonderful evening celebrating Pearl’s birthday and even a little rain couldn’t keep us from having a great time,” said Bagwell. “The change of venue may have a deterred a few in the community from attending, but we had a successful event that helped us continue our mission.”
The Midland Theater Foundation’s Board of Directors worked diligently to put together a family-friendly party that paid tribute to Pearl Richardson as well as directed attention to the foundation’s mission: renovating and restoring The Midland Theater & Event Center. The evening included a BBQ dinner, musical entertainment, raffle drawing for a one-of-a-kind Leonard Wren piece, live auction, and tours of the historic theater.
“The entire event, including the sale of tickets for the Leonard Wren oil painting, raised more $6,500 for the foundation,” said Denise York, Treasurer of The Midland Theater Foundation. “We were so pleased to see the community reach out in support of this event, whether through sponsorship of the event, donation of live auction items, the use of the church facility, and purchase of tickets.”
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