Crews from Wagner Electric Sign Co. of Elyria have been hard at work this week, prepping the site for the Holland Theatre’s new marquee, which will restore the original look to the building when first it opened in 1931, while adding modern LED technology. Wednesday, April 30, significant progress could be observed when the large marquee was installed on the front of the nation’s only Dutch atmospheric theater. Wagner Electric Sign Co. employees are pictured hoisting the center crest for the new marquee into place Wednesday afternoon.
Holland Theatre board member Mike Suman, right, takes some time away from building the Camelot set inside the theater for the Windmill Productions’ upcoming summertime play to assist Judd McKiel from Wagner Electric Sign Co. with installing light bulbs on the theater’s new marquee. Suman noted that the approximately 33-foot-long blade, which will be installed in the theater in the upcoming weeks, contains 1,200 light bulbs.
By about 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the main portion of the marquee was in place, with several side pieces yet to be installed. To celebrate the magnificent new sign, the Holland Theatre hosts a light up the marquee event from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 23, when the marquee will officially be lit at sundown for the public to enjoy. Food trucks, live entertainment and DORA drinks are planned, along with a dinner for donors inside the theater. Thanks to strong community support, the Holland raised $440,000 in donations for this project, and pledges were matched by a $220,000 grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation. The original marquee was a striking feature of the theater when it opened in 1931. The blade was removed in the 1950s due to city code changes, and the rest of the marquee was removed in the 1960s due to street expansion and traffic. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | Mandy Loehr)
