Parkway Theatre

LouRugani on July 11, 2022 at 3:55 pm

Coling’s Parkway Theater Is Opened at Union Grove - Several Write Essays in Which New Playhouse Is Given Praise.

First nights hold a fascination never found before. Whether they be in Roxy’s world’s largest theater in New York or in Floyd Coling’s beautiful Parkway theater, Union Grove. Impressions of the gala opening of the Parkway theater at Union Grove Thursday night have been written by many persons who attended the celebration. They are by A. F. Ruzicka. principal of the Union Grove high school; Pearl Hart, Norway; Gladys Wendt, Raymond; Elaine Berg and Frances Healy, West Allis, and Estelle Bertke of Union Grove, all of the Racine and Kenosha Rural Normal school.

Prizes to Be Awarded.

Five dollars in prizes will be awarded to the authors of the three best “First Night Impressions at the Opening of the Parkway Theater, Union Grove.” For first prize $2.50 will be given; for second prize, $1.50, and for third place, $1. Edward Zahn Sr., Racine merchant; J. S. Blakey, “Union Grove’s grand old man,” and others spoke at the opening celebration Thursday night and Floyd Coling’s new theater was banked with flowers from business houses and individuals. A program of songs and dances was presented by Arthur Hocking, assisted by Florence Petersen Hocking and Regnia Garvey.

To Become Community Center.

The new Parkway theater will fill an important place in village activities and is expected to become a community center. The theater contains a large stage, 36 rows of seats, 22 in a row, and a splendid dance floor. A library, council and fire department are part of the building. In a fashion show, the opening night fall and winter garments from Zahn’s were modeled and the display of 1928 fashions was applauded by hundreds of women in the audience. The entire program was arranged by Arthur Hocking. The Arcadian orchestra provided the music and little Buddy Hanson gave song and dance numbers.

Theater Is Packed.

One of the largest crowds to attend a fall social event in Union Grove was present at the Parkway theater Thursday night. Early in the evening people began crowding into the building and the curtain rose to a burst of applause. (Racine Journal Times, Thursday, October 1, 1927)