Happy Birthday Avon Theatre!

Skip Huston announced yesterday that the beloved Avon Theatre, 426 N. Water St., Decatur, IL, has turned 90 years old. “Please take a moment in your busy day today to contemplate that proud old structure that has meant so much to so many of us, and remember that nothing of lasting quality can continue to exist without constant levels of sacrifice,” said the Head Honcho in a message sent out to the Avon mailing list.

Entrepreneur Joseph Allman opened the Avon’s doors for the first time on November 28, 1916, with THE FALL OF A NATION as the main attraction. After closing in 1986, the Avon mostly sat dormant until Huston, his family, and loyal volunteers brought the movie house back to first-run life in April 1999 with ELIZABETH and A SIMPLE PLAN. Essays on the Avon Web site by Troy Taylor describe the theatre’s decor and its purported ghostly inhabitants.

Huston recently added the Avon Twins, a second and third screen, in the former ballroom space adjacent to the original Avon auditorium. BABEL, STRANGER THAN FICTION, DECK THE HALLS, and RUNNING WITH SCISSORS occupy the theatres on this anniversary; one can only imagine what movies will play the Avon in the 90 years to come!

– Jason Pankoke

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