FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WOAY)- When people think of a red carpet, most think of movie premieres out of Hollywood, but the Historic Fayette Theater brought its own red-carpet experience to Fayetteville at the Gaines Estate, where many people dressed to impress to walk the red carpet.
And many were all about the red carpet. So much so that one group even came in a limousine, and another wanted to represent the era the theater opened during. On top of the red carpet, guests got to enjoy Hor D’oeures and live jazz music, which really played into the 30s feel of the night.
This gala was a celebration of 85 years of the theater and 30 years of being a community theater, but it was also a benefit to raise money for some much-needed updating of the theater.
Vice President of the board of directors at the Historic Faith Theater explains why this funding is so important.
“We need to update our heating and cooling. We need new electrical wiring. We need some drainage done. We’re trying to move some cosmetic things and do some paint. So, it’s kind of a lot so it encompasses a lot,” explained Sharon Bibb. “We were given an opportunity to receive some possible congressional spending funds and Senator Manchin and Capito pick that up for us. So hopefully by the end of the year, they will be giving us some funding. But we need to match 25% of that. So, we’re trying to raise $125,000. So, tonight is just a small step in the right direction, we hope. We are going in the right direction. So, we’re really thrilled about that.”
They also had raffles and door prizes for everyone to further their fundraising efforts.
For it being its first ever, the gala was well attended with about 100 people that came to celebrate and dance the night away. On top of the community members that came out that night, local businesses also helped to make the night a success.
“Tonight, we had a lot of community support, and we are so thankful for that. That was a huge success because for community theater it does take a village,” expressed Bibb. “So, we have a lot of local businesses that have supported us; Cathedral Cafe, Secret Sandwich Society, Adventures on the Gorge. Donors; Pendleton Community Bank, Access Health, we’ve had Dr. William Clank. We’ve got all kinds of donations for raffles that we are making money that way as well.”
Then after the gala, the guests moved over to the Historic Fayette Theater where they did a toast and a screening of the first film that ever played in the theater, “That Certain Age.”
They hope to do this again and that more members of the community can come out and celebrate with them.
