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  • Celebrating a Century at The Regent Theatre 🎥
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Celebrating a Century at The Regent Theatre 🎥

Picton’s Regent Theatre, aka ‘The Monarch of Main Street,’ is celebrating its 100th anniversary.  It’s been called a ‘cultural beacon’ and ‘the entertainment heartbeat of The County.’

Sue Hierlihy takes a closer look at the Main Street gem, one of the few Edwardian opera houses still operating today.

regent theatre history vaudeville movies picton

The Regent was a popular stop on the Vaudeville circuit, with a stage that is as large as that of the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.

Early history…

Built circa 1830, the original building functioned as a commercial block with shop fronts, and a grain and feed operation. In 1913 George Cook purchased the block and after significant renovations, opened The Regent Theatre on November 2, 1918. Further renovations took place in 1922, including the construction of the 70-foot tall ‘fly tower,’ which allowed stagehands to use ropes, pulleys and counterweights to raise and lower painted backdrops for scene changes. At that time, the theatre had 1,100 seats and was lighted by 10 crystal chandeliers. The stage remains one of the largest in Eastern Ontario to this day.

‘I think it’s quite significant that the Regent is more than a movie theatre – it predates and outlived film as a medium,’ says part-time projectionist Andrew McLuhan. ‘The theatre is 100 years old this year! That’s older than movies! It started out as a Vaudeville house, and will hopefully see even more change, maybe even another century.’

regent theatre picton history heritage edwardian

In 1922, the theatre was renovated, with a new roof added. There was enough seating for 1,100 at the time. Today, there are seats for about 400. | Supplied photo

The end of an era…

The theatre was run by George’s daughter Louise Cook throughout the 1960s and 70s, but was open only sporadically, showing movies in the summer and hosting the odd theatrical performance. Memories of the time were captured in a TVO series called “The Tale of a Town.”  Television, a changing County demographic and the existence of more modern cinema venues in nearby Belleville conspired to prevent The Regent from being profitable. After many hiccups, it closed for good in 1984 and was dark for 10 years.

regent theatre picton heritage history

The massive projector discs were replaced when movie distributors went digital.

Community ownership…

In 1994 the theatre was purchased by the Regent Theatre Foundation, a County-based non-profit charitable organization. Since that time, the building has undergone many renovations and refurbishments, most recently in 2011.  The 1920s façade was restored to its former glory in 2013.  The theatre has ongoing membership and sponsorship programs and operates with the assistance of about 100 volunteers.

The ‘green room’ is a massive space below the stage, where musical acts and performers can rest, rehearse and prepare for the stage. Yes, that is beloved children’s performer Mr. Dressup next to the piano.

Centre for the arts…

The Regent provides a unique venue for live theatre and music, first-run movies, art films and an international satellite feed of fine arts programming featuring opera, dance and theatre. In proclaiming November 2018 ‘The Regent Theatre Month’ County officials noted that the theatre ‘provides a stage for County performers, artists and community organizations to develop their arts and give meaning to the County’s unique cultural identity.’

picton regent theatre history heritage

The ‘fly tower’ was unique when it was built, allowing stagehands to quickly change sets between scenes.

Opera, rock, jazz, and chamber music…

The Regent’s musical offerings are many and varied. Satellite provides access to the entire Metropolitan Opera season, and annual streaming of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The theatre has annually been home to both Jazz and Chamber Music festivals. Live vocal performances are common. To mark the 100th birthday of the theatre, local songstress Miss Emily will perform with Suzanne Pasternak, Instant Rivalry and others in a Show of the Century concert.

picton heritage history regent theatre

Words of encouragement, found backstage.

On the big screen…

First-run movies hit The Regent screen each week, for well-attended matinee and evening performances. On alternate Mondays, Cinefest presents not-so-mainstream and hard-to-come-by films for the true cinephile. County Docs screens documentary films twice a month. Via satellite, the theatre presents art films and offerings from London’s Vaudeville Theatre.

picton history heritage regent theatre

The concession still holds the classics: licorice, chocolate-coated raisins and buttery popcorn. Parsons Brewery has made a heritage brew honouring The Regent’s anniversary, for sale at the concession.

The Regent presents…

Live theatre is alive and well at The Regent. Shatterbox Theatre will perform the play Armstrong’s War as a 100th anniversary fundraiser for the theatre.  The Festival Players holds summer performances at the venue. The space has also been home to the County Theatre Group and Theatre Passe Muraille. The original dressing rooms and ‘green room’ below the stage have been refurbished, but the blackboards lining the walls for performers to write their show’s running order remain.

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March isn’t over but with all of the delicious M March isn’t over but with all of the delicious Maple Festivities we couldn’t wait to share a recap so far.

BIG thanks to all of our lovely, hardworking local maple syrup producers and maple supporters. 🍁 

Every year March gets sweeter and sweeter so make sure you plan a visit to Prince Edward County during maple season next year.

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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #MapleSyrup #March
Mark your calendars! This year's Waterfalls Tour Mark your calendars!

This year's Waterfalls Tour event is on April 8 & 9 from 11am - 4pm each day. A family friendly event organized by the Rotary Club of Picton to take in the beauty of two of Prince Edward County's picturesque waterfalls. Big thanks to the land owner's of Jackson Falls and Cape Vessey Falls for welcoming us all.⁠
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Entry is by donation in support of Back the Build, Ukraine Relief and other projects of the Rotary Club of Picton. ⁠

Enjoy a short hike outdoors with your friends, family or simply, just your camera.

Picture by Robbie Garden.⁠

For more information please visit https://pictonrotary.ca/page/waterfalls-tour

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #Waterfalls #VisitPEC #outdoors
We will soon be in full bloom. 🌼 Let us know i We will soon be in full bloom. 🌼

Let us know in the comments 👇🏼 the bloom you are looking forward to most. We are already dreaming up sunflowers over here.

This spring image in the County captured by @kassandramelnykphoto 
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #OutDoors #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #Spring #flowers
Finding colour & beauty despite the weather today. Finding colour & beauty despite the weather today. A grey day is all how you look at it. 💛
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #ExperienceTheCounty #travelphotography
🍽️ A Delicious Giveaway 🍽️ We're three 🍽️ A Delicious Giveaway 🍽️

We're three weeks away from Countylicious and to count down we're giving away $100 to each of our 16 participating Countylicious restaurants. 
⁠
Comment on the post below and mention who you would want to take out for a Countylicious meal at one of the five following restaurants: ⁠
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🍽 Chef Sean Finnerty of @parsonsbrewing has worked up delicious $30 Lunch and $60 dinner menus featuring dishes such as Concinita Bibil Torta and Elote Caesar.

🍽 At @jacksonsfallscountryinn, Chef Chris Wylie has developed a $20 Lunch menu that can be enjoyed on weekends throughout Countylicious. If you struggle to choose between sweet and savoury brunches, this is the menu for you. 
⁠
🍽 Chef Amanda Ray of @drakedevonshire is serving up an inventive $60 dinner menu with spring-inspired dishes like Mushroom & Leek Mezzaluna and Honey Chamomile Pannacotta. 
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🍽 At @pastaonesta Chef Martin Brzozowski's $20 lunch and $45 dinner menus will transport you straight to Italy with dishes like Focaccia with mortadella, arugula and fior di latte, and Rigatoni with quanciale, pomodoro and pecorino. 
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🍽 Chef Leah Marshall Hannon's $45 dinner menu @stellaseatery features a host of must-try dishes like Braised Bison Brisket and Cedar Crème Brulée. 
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Swipe to see their menus and head to countylicious.ca to book your table! Come back every week for even more restaurant features and giveaways! ⁠
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Content Rules:⁠
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1. Follow @VisitTheCounty on Instagram⁠
2. Like this post⁠
3. Comment and mention a friend. 1 comment with unique mention = 1 entry. Max 5 entries per person.

Winners for each individual giveaway will be contacted via Instagram DM and announced on stories the day following contest closure.⁠ Winners will be assigned a gift card at random from the group of restaurants featured in this giveaway post⁠. Winners will only be contacted by @VisitTheCounty. DMs from any other handles should be considered spam.⁠
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Contest closes March 29 at 11:59pm⁠
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#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #countylicious
🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁 Maple seas 🍁 Maple in The County is back! 🍁

Maple season is in full swing and the celebrations in Prince Edward County will culminate in the long-awaited return of Maple in The County from March 25-26, 2023. Featuring 5 local sugarbushes and a host of local businesses, Maple in The County is a wonderful outing for the whole family. Come on out to tour a sap house, enjoy a pancake breakfast, walk through the maple woods, and so much more. Head to mapleinthecounty.ca for more information and to plan your Maple in The County route! 

Participating Sugarbushes: 

Sweetwater Cabin / Hubbs Sugarbush
Fosterholm Farms
Vader's Maple Syrup @vadersmaple 
Roblin's Maple Syrup @roblins.maple 
Loha Farms @lohafarms 

📷 by Ramesh Pooran of the Wellington Times

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #mapleinthecounty
🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱 Countylicious is b 🌱 Spring Countylicious 🌱

Countylicious is back for spring from April 12 - May 1, 2023! Come out to The County for three weeks of prix fixe dining at restaurants you know, love, and have been dying to try. Stay tuned as we reveal menus and gift card giveaway from all 16 participating restaurants: 

@flameandsmith 
@7numberspicton 
@bloomfieldpublichouse 
@555brewingco 
@parsonsbrewing 
@pastaonesta 
@theroyalhotelpicton 
@TheWaringHouse 
@DrakeDevonshire 
@MerrillHouse1879 
@JacksonsFallsCountryInn 
@BocadoPEC 
@MatronFineBeer 
@StellasEatery 
@HartleysTavern 
@waupoosestatesrestaurant 

Head to http://countylicious.ca/ today to start planning your Countylicious experience.

#PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #Countylicious
🍁 Maple & More 🍷 Wondering what to do in Th 🍁 Maple & More 🍷

Wondering what to do in The County this March? Check out our latest blog for a round-up of everything you can see and do this month, from indulging in maple treats at local sugar bushes and eateries with @maplemadnesspec  and @mapleinthecounty, to tasting wines at the inaugural Élevage: PEC Winter Wine Festival hosted by @pecwine , and everything in between. We've also included a preview of what you can expect next month (hint: it's de-LICIOUS 😉).

Link in bio 👆

Image description: Sweetwater Cabin at Hubbs Sugar Bush, Maple in The County participant, taken by Karen Palmer. Above the image is a banner which reads "Experience Maple & More in The County this March." 

 #PrinceEdwardCounty #PEC #CountyUp #DiscoverON #VisitTheCounty #SouthEasternOntario #TheCounty #BayOfQuinte #DiscoverOntario #Picton #SandbanksPP #VisitPEC #MapleInTheCounty #MapleMadnessPEC #elevagepec #pecwine #MarchinTheCounty
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