Finishing off the big countdown, Renata Rumold, Benita Bock and Dennis Oliver, pictured from left, raise a glass to the new year. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
In one of their first acts of 2019, partygoers like AJ Brandt keep dancing even after the midnight countdown is complete. Monday, Dec. 31, marked the Peerless Theatre’s seventh annual CineMagic event, which was both a New Year’s Eve party and a fundraiser this year. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Out with the old; in with the new
Peerless board members strayed from tradition this year when they decided to hold the theater’s annual CineMagic event on New Year’s Eve. The result was another highly successful fundraiser and a great party to welcome 2019.
Board president Erin LeBlanc was excited to offer the people of Holyoke a New Year’s celebration. Throughout the years the Peerless has had smaller New Year’s Eve festivities here and there, but there are often few local options for Dec. 31.
CineMagic is the theater and Golden Plains Recreation Center’s primary fundraiser each year, and it allows for necessary repairs and new items for the center. This year, the Heginbotham Trust pledged a matching donation of up to $10,000 for the event, and LeBlanc was thrilled to report that they’d succeeded in securing the full amount.
Ten tables worth of tickets were sold for the event, and though Monday’s single-digit temperatures kept some would-be partygoers at home, close to 100 people shared in the celebration.
The evening began with happy hour. Drinks were served by Red’s Liquors, and a photo booth by Dirt Roads Photography & Events was set up so everyone could take some fun pictures. Dinner was then catered by Snake Pit BBQ.
Guests had another opportunity to financially support the Peerless in an auction after dinner. A total of 20 items were auctioned off, raising an additional $4,300. On top of that, LeBlanc said, there were a few generous donations made by people wishing to further support the theater.
As supporters of the Peerless tend to be fans of the movies, a showing of “The Greatest Showman” was a big hit. Though some called it a night after the show, DJ Gary Wisdom had music playing in the gym for a dance to round out the evening. Those who stayed enjoyed appetizers, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight, saying goodbye to 2018 and hello to a new year.
In addition to being a great party, the celebration was extra special as the theater had recently reached its 20th anniversary since reopening Dec. 25, 1998. More than a few of Monday’s guests were part of the reopening, and as was heard mentioned just before midnight, “20 years later, and we’re still here!”