A second-hand sign with a risque past and a paragon of family entertainment for nearly a century come together to tell the story of "bright lights, small town." Join us as we look at the history of a cherished local landmark of downtown Collingwood, the historic Gayety Theatre.

After the story we invite our listeners to share their questions, comments, or suggestions for a future story we should tell. We love hearing from you. Send us an email ([email protected]) or leave us a message (www.anchor.fm/cwoodstories)  We also take a moment to hand out a few well deserved thank you’s in time for the new year and let everyone know about our upcoming Winter Wonderland PA Day program on January 27 for children ages 6-12. For more information and to register, please go to our web page www.collingwood.ca/museum.

Episode Picture:

Gayety Theatre [Collingwood Museum Collection X968.551.1]

Research:

Barbara Arp, ed., Reflections An Historical Anthology of Collingwood (Collingwood: The Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, 1983),  p178

Cowley, Christine E. “Butchers, Bakers and Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood”, 2008. Pgs. 56, 280.

Collingwood Bulletin May 30, 1929 Talkies at Gayety (C3)

Enterprise Bulletin February 25, 2003 The Passing of a Cinematic Era (p6)

Enterprise Bulletin May 2, 2003 A New Life for the Gayety (p3)

Enterprise Bulletin February 28, 2013 Gayety Gets a Facelift (p11)

Links:

“Deck the Hull” Season 2, Episode 4 https://anchor.fm/cwoodstories/episodes/Deck-The-Hull-e1rloe2