PARAGOULD, Ark. (KAIT) – The Collins Theatre celebrated its 100th anniversary this weekend with a reception commemorating the historic venue’s century of entertainment in Northeast Arkansas.
The theatre held an anniversary event Saturday evening, Oct. 18, to mark its milestone as one of fewer than 20 original historic theatres still operating in Arkansas.
“We are fortunate to still be here after 100 years, and we appreciate everything that the community has done to help us make it for 100 years,” said Andrew Fulkerson, chairman of the board for the Collins Theatre Foundation.
The venue opened as the Capitol Theatre in 1925 and operated under that name until 1986, when the Collins family donated the property to the Greene County Fine Arts Council. The council later turned it over to the Collins Theatre Foundation.
John Collins, a Paragould native whose family owned the theatre, said the venue was central to his family’s life.
“It was their life. My dad started in the theatre business and I worked here, I started when I was eleven, worked ‘til I went off to college,” Collins said.
The theatre hosted plays, music festivals, movies, and other events throughout its 100-year history.
“We’re one of the very few original historic theatres that are still in operation in Arkansas. There’s not very many left. It’s less than 20,” Fulkerson said.
Collins said he is pleased the theatre continues to operate in a small-town setting.
“I’m just glad that it’s still standing and still in use because very few theatres like this in a small town are still operating in this manner,” he said.
Saturday’s reception featured a film created by Paragould native Zac Heath.
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