Mulkey draws crowd

Fair weather greeted hundreds of supporters of the Mulkey Theatre Saturday evening when Clarendon held its second annual Mulkey Block Party.

The event was hosted by the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation and an advisory committee and marked the completion of the first interior renovations to the 1946 movie house. While last year’s celebration featured the complete refurbishment of the building’s façade, this year’s party showcased the building’s lobby, concession area, restrooms, and ticket booth.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, figures were not complete for how much the event raised to continue Phase Two Interior Renovations, but the Block Party was widely hailed as a success by those in attendance who enjoyed the fun, music, food, dancing, and booths on Kearney Street.

The event was bookended by much needed rain on Friday and Sunday, which dropped nearly two inches of moisture on Clarendon. The potential of more rain the day of the event caused organizers to relocate the main stage from the north end of Kearney Street to below the Mulkey marquee, which provided the perfect backdrop for the event.

Several kids’ activities were available as well as food booths, and a temporary screen and projector allowed cartoons to be shown inside the theatre with popcorn and drinks available at the concession area. It was the first movies on a big screen in the Mulkey in nearly 30 years and the first time the smell of fresh popcorn wafted through the lobby since 1986.

Steve Hall and Jesse Lincycomb warmed up the crowd before one of the best bands in the Panhandle, Insufficient Funds, took the stage for the second year and again wowed the crowd with a wide range of popular music and rock and roll.

The second annual Herring Bank Mulkey Car Show was won by Johnny Floyd with a Super Bee. Redell Johnston was second with a Chevy Impala, and Otte Jones was third with an El Camino.

A live auction was also held during the event that featured several items, each of which brought in more than $100. The most popular auction item was four tickets to a Texas Rangers’ game that raised $825.

Major sponsors for the second annual Block Party were Budweiser, Cielo Wind Power, AEP/SWEPCO, and Parts Plus Floyd’s Automotive.

Organizers will be meeting soon to discuss ideas for next year’s party to continue public support for the ongoing rehabilitation of the theatre. Donations to the effort to continue restoration of the theatre can be made to the Clarendon Community Fund, PO Box 826, Clarendon, TX 79226.