Orange County's Fox Theatre to Celebrate 90th Birthday with SPEAKEASY DAYS, 5/22-23

To celebrate the beloved Fox Theatre's 90th birthday, the doors of the theatre will be open to the public for a special two-day 1920s themed event, Speakeasy Days, on May 22 and 23.

It will be exciting for people of all ages starting with the unveiling and lighting of the restored Fox Theatre rooftop sign on Friday, May 22 from 6-9pm. Everyone who attends will be a part of history when they witness the 90 year old sign completely lit it up for the first time in decades. The daylong event on Saturday, May 23rd will start at 11am and will include free tours of the historic theatre, a 1920's live orchestra, vintage cars, raffles, prizes, food, drinks and fun for the whole family.

During the free tours of the theatre, Speakeasy Days attendees will marvel at the results of the 14-month effort by EverGreene Architectural Arts to professionally restore the theatre's beautiful coffered ceiling. A uniquely demanding process requiring an artistically skilled hand coupled with a scientific knowledge of finishes has been applied to recreate the ceiling artistry. The renowned company has also restored the original proscenium (stage opening), which has not been seen since the 1950s when it was covered by a giant movie screen. In addition to the Fox Theatre, EverGreene has been selected for many of the nation's most significant restoration projects from the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles to the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Admission to this festive and historic event is free to the public thanks to the support of the dedicated Friends of the Fox volunteers and sponsors including: Hydraflow, Chevron, and Jones & Mayer. Heroes Restaurant will also be donating the proceeds of food and beverage sales during the event to The Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation to benefit the theatre's restoration project.

The Fox Theatre has been a dominant feature in the heart of Downtown Fullerton since it was built in 1925 by the same architectural firm, Meyer and Holler, who also designed the world-famous Grauman's Egyptian and Chinese Theatres. When it opened, the Italian Renaissance-inspired Fox Theatre was the show place of Orange County, a movie palace representing the height of Hollywood glamour and sophistication. It was the largest structure of its kind in northern Orange County, and was an integral element in the social fabric of downtown life, where people gathered for news, entertainment, and socializing.

Declared a historic landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fox Theatre in Fullerton is currently being renovated so that it will once again provide an incomparable entertainment experience while being the preferred destination for classic and contemporary live and cinematic arts. As Orange County's first and only surviving movie palace, preserving this treasure will benefit generations to come.

The Fox Theatre in Fullerton is located at 512 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton at the corner of Harbor Blvd. and Chapman Ave. To learn more about the event and the history of the Fox Theatre in Fullerton, or to make a donation, visit www.FoxFullerton.org.

Based in Fullerton, Calif., The Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation was established in 2001 and led a successful campaign to purchase the Fox Theatre property and save it from demolition. The Foundation is a non-profit, public benefit, tax-exempt organization with a mission to preserve and restore the Fox Theatre and associated structures. Private and public grants and donations are welcomed to continue the restoration of the theatre complex. All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

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