T-L Photo/KAILEY CARPINO The Barnesville State Theater Co. plans to host its inaugural “Reelin’, Rockin’ and Rollin’ in the Ville” event this July. The group met Tuesday to discuss plans for 2024, including the new community event.

BARNESVILLE — The Barnesville State Theater Co. plans to host its inaugural “Reelin,’ Rockin’ and Rollin’ in the Ville” event in July.

The group met Tuesday to discuss plans for 2024, including the new community event. Treasurer/Secretary Jacquetta Stephen said that board member Rose Grear “is spearheading the event.”

The fundraiser will feature a car show along with activities for children and families. The group also hopes to have some food trucks on site and to possibly host a vintage flea market. Information about the theater will also be available. Grear said the theater likely will be under construction during that time, so it may not be open for tours.

Group Vice President Greg Batts said the name of the event was inspired by a Chuck Berry song.

“‘Reelin’ for a theater film reel, ‘rockin’ for the music, and ‘rollin’ because the cars are rolling for the car show,” Batts explained.

Grear said the group is planning to host the event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 13. She said this is the same weekend as Alumni Weekend in Barnesville, so alumni of the local schools will be in town to enjoy it.

“That would allow former residents to meet their friends on Main Street and give local families a fun outing. We want to reinforce that sense of community. We want to keep the theater in the forefront of folks’ minds and support the quality of life in Barnesville,” Grear said.

Grear added that she wanted to end the event at 3 p.m. so that alumni could get ready for the alumni banquet. She also said the group could have a vintage car drive in the alumni parade.

Jill Hissom, director of the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce, also attended the meeting and said the chamber is planning to host some “Fun in the Ville” activities on the evening before the event, so July 12, 13 and 14 will be packed with community activities.

Grear said Scott and Cindy Ferguson will be helping out with the car show, and they help organize the car show for the Pumpkin Festival each year.

Grear said some cars will be parked on Main Street, and the group also got permission to use the Domino’s parking lot, Barrel House parking lot and the parking lot for the Blue Moon during the event. Depending on how many cars enter the car show, some cars will be parked in those lots.

Main Street will be closed from Chestnut Street to Broadway Street during the event.

Stephen said she would reach out to local first responders to make sure that they are aware that the road will be closed and that they are familiar with alternate routes.

Grear also plans to host other family-friendly activities. The group is looking into several ideas including a cornhole tournament, a hot dog eating contest, a derby, dancing, crafts and a matchbox car race.

Grear said she wants food trucks that fit the retro theme. She hopes to get Ideal Provisions to bring its truck to the event. Grear said that food truck serves Elby’s Big Boy sandwiches. Grear also hopes to have ice cream and desserts available.

Grear plans to have music playing downtown during the event. She said she wanted to hire a DJ, but Hissom said the group could make a playlist and play it over the speakers downtown. She said the group can also use the microphone to make announcements similar to the Pumpkin Festival.

Stephen said that the Barnesville State Theater Co. applied for a $3,000 tourism grant to help offset the cost of the event.

Grear said her top goal is to provide a fun event for the community, but she also hopes to raise some money for the organization.

“I think our goal is just to have a successful event that is solvent, and then whatever we raise above that would be a bonus,” she said.

President Roger Johnson said the size of the event and the number of activities at the event should be determined by how many people sign up to volunteer.

The group is looking for more volunteers to help out with the event. Anyone interested in volunteering or supporting it can send an email to Hello@BarnesvilleST.org or call Stephen at 740-238-1211.

In the future, more information about the event can be found on the Barnesville State Theater Co. Facebook page and barnesvillest.org.

Hissom also said she would post and advertise information about the event on the chamber Facebook page.

According to its website, the Barnesville State Theater Co. is a nonprofit organization, and its mission is to “provide a variety of entertainment and educational activities to our diverse communities to enrich lives for generations.” The Barnesville State Theater Co. is made up entirely of volunteers and all of them either live in or used to live in Barnesville.

The historic theater was built in 1924 and featured a large stage and balcony. The theater hosted live shows and movies until it closed in 1969. The building then became a carpet store and later a thrift store, but it has been unoccupied for many years. It is located at 137 W. Main St. in Barnesville.

Donations to the organization can be made at barnesvillest.org.

The next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Library Annex. The group will continue to make plans for the event over the next several meetings.