The Holland Theatre in downtown Bellefontaine is set to shine brighter than ever as it celebrates the completion of its new historic-style marquee with a special community event on Saturday, July 26, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Organized with help from Bellefontaine’s Downtown Business Partnership, the evening will feature free entertainment, food trucks, and DORA drinks available outside the theater.
The highlight of the night will come at sundown, when the brand-new marquee is lit for the very first time.
“The marquee is a wonderful addition to our theater,” said Holland Theatre board president Kris Swisher, who helped lead the successful Light Up the Holland fundraising campaign. “The community showed incredible support for this project, and we can’t wait to celebrate together!”
The marquee is a replica of the original that adorned the theater when it first opened in 1931.
It was updated with state-of-the-art lighting technology and built to meet current safety standards.
The vertical blade portion was removed in the 1950s due to city code changes, and the rest of the marquee came down in the 1960s for street expansion.
Funded through generous local business and individual contributions, the project also received a matching grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation.
The marquee was built by Wagner Sign Co. of Elyria, with installation beginning in April.
The celebration was originally scheduled earlier in the year but was delayed due to construction and structural repairs.
Leading the way with major donations were Tonia Terebuh and the Laird A. Lile Family Foundation, each giving $100,000 in honor of Levi W. and Nancy Nicholl Lile.
Major donors will enjoy a private dinner and drinks inside the theater ahead of the public lighting event.
The construction involved several local tradespeople and businesses, including Lee’s Roofing, Chavez & Chavez Masonry, Mad River Mobile Welding, Double D Construction, Eric Esch Electric, Pat Heilman, and Jezerinac Geers & Associates.
Project oversight was provided by Beasley Architecture and Design.
The marquee lighting marks a major milestone in the ongoing revitalization of the historic Holland Theatre and celebrates a successful collaboration between the arts and the local community.
