Save the Towne Theatre (Submitted image/Okanagan Screen Arts Society)

By Pete McIntyre

Popcorn fundraiser

Save the theatre campaign at 80 per cent of goal

Apr 27, 2021 | 3:00 PM

The effort to save Vernon’s Towne Theatre is resonating in the community.

The Okanagan Screen Arts Society says $60,000 has been raised so far,on a goal of $75,000.

“We would like to send a huge thank you from the Okanagan Screen Arts Society to local individuals and the business community for supporting the campaign and getting it this far,” said Christopher John, fundraising team member with the volunteer-run group. “We have some planned fundraising events in the next two months to help us reach our goal.”

For cinema goers who are missing the movie experience due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has shuttered local movie theatres, society volunteers hope to bring Vernonites a little reminder this spring.

“We have an old-fashioned popcorn cart that will be popping up around town in the coming weeks and months where folks will be able to get authentic movie style popcorn in return for donations,” John said.

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For information on where and when volunteers will be out making popcorn, check their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/OkanaganScreenArts

The society hopes to reach its $75,000 goal by June in order to apply for a federal grant that could ‘match’ funds raised. It has a five-year plan in place for repairs and improvements to the theatre.

New logo For Towne Theatre. (Submitted image)

Meantime, the Okanagan Screen Arts Society has unveiled a new logo following a public poll on social media. John said the logo salutes the old palace-type theatre in Vernon’s downtown.

“We got the winning design and it will be used for the theatre going forward. It hearkens back to the original Art Deco style of the movie theatre when it opened in 1938, and incorporates the tower from the building facade,” John stated.

To find out how you can support the Save Our Towne fundraising campaign, visit www.SaveOurTowne.ca