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Yellow Creek Theatre begins sixth season
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Neighbors | Submitted.The crowd at the Yellow Creek Theatre enjoy an old classic film under the bridge near the Poland library in 2009. The annual film series returns again this summer.
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This photo shows the crowd and the surrounding area where the Yellow Creek Theatre operates on Friday evenings during July and August. In addition to showing old movies, the events include bands or car shows.
By CHRIS KEELING
A big white bridge support, warm weather and the idea of community have created Poland tradition.
The Yellow Creek Theatre has started its sixth season and will run each Friday until Aug. 27. Over the years, the movies on the wall of the state Route 224 bridge behind the Poland library have grown from short run films to full length classics.
In 2004, Joanne Eiselstein said her husband, Ron, and Ted Heineman were building the Reed Memorial stairway for Town One Streetscape, when Heineman suggested that the wall under the bridge was so big.
“Hey you could show movies on there,” said Heineman.
Joanne, her husband and volunteers from Streetscape decided to see if he was right. They rented equipment to see how it would look and offered “Three Stooges” short movies during the annual fireworks show.
“That’s when people were around,” Eiselstein said.
The first “real” movie was “To Kill A Mockingbird” in 2005.
“It was scary because we didn’t know who would show up,” Eiselstein said.
Eiselstein soon realized that people were serious about watching the movies and a family loaned money for the Yellow Creek Theater to purchase equipment. That loan was paid off last year.
Today, donors help pay for the licensing fees to show movies and 50/50 raffles are held each night to help cover incidental costs like the tiki torch fluid used to ward off mosquitoes. More than 100 people come with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy classic movies nestled in nature. Hot dogs, popcorn and drinks are available at the Village Store’s concession stand.
“People come alone because it’s safe and friendly,” Eiselstein said. “There’s not a bad seat in the house.” Eiselstein hand picks each movie. She tries to make everyone happy and not offend anyone.“We don’t know the age group of people down there,” Eiselstein said. She said she believes the classic movies are safer and have stood the test of time. “Today’s movies with swear words sound so harsh over the loud speakers.”
The July 23 movie will offer a special treat. Viva Las Vegas will be playing and the Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club will show its vintage cars off in the Poland library parking lot.
Jim Penney, an Elvis tribute band, will entertain the crowd. Donations and 50/50 raffle proceeds will benefit 2 1/2 –year-old Brett Wilcox who has leukemia.
Moviegoers can park in the library parking lot or across the street at the Village Town Hall. All movies are free and open to the public.