McKenzie’s historic Park Theatre reopens

McKENZIE, Tenn. — A local fixture from 1941 to 2016, McKenzie’s Park Theatre opens the curtain Friday for its second act on the city’s downtown square.

The three-year, several hundred thousand dollar process to renovate the classic theater is something with which those involved feel a personal connection.

“I came to the movie theater every weekend, and it was always the place to come and had a lot of fun memories coming with my friends,” head of McKenzie Economic Development Jennifer Waldrup said.

“I took it upon myself to do it for my daughter so that other little girls can come and watch movies here at the Park Theatre in their town, just like I would want to do with my daughter” Act II Chairman Ryan Griffin said.

Griffin led the Act II committee for the past year after losing his infant daughter one year ago Saturday.

The city dedicated a star outside the theater in her memory.

Bringing back the Park Theatre to downtown McKenzie is an answer to a problem city officials said they’ve had for a long time.

It’s a throwback to something that started 75 years ago and also a way to help keep McKenzie money in McKenzie.

“They’ve asked for something and the city and community delivered, so that need is to support it for it to continue to grow,” Griffin said.

“It’s really exciting. It’s just a thrill to me to be able to come back in these doors and look at it like it looks and be able to come to movies with my granddaughters,” Waldrup said.

City officials said the Park Theatre is just the first step to help start other community centers.

For a full list of events during the theater’s opening weekend, click here.