JAFFREY – The Park Theatre announced they will be hosting a live telethon and auction via Facebook Live and YouTube Live simultaneously on July 10, starting at 7 p.m.

Celebrity pledge takers will be (virtually) taking seat naming sponsorships for the William David Eppes Auditorium, the main auditorium of the new Park Theatre. Among those scheduled to appear include Oscar® winner Ernest Thompson (On Golden Pond), WMUR’s Ray Brewer, PBS Victory Garden’s Roger Swain, and more. Viewers call-in to the celebrities with their seat inscription, contact information as well as credit card information. Donors can also have their seat paid for with a check.

The evening will be hosted by the Park Theatre’s CEO, Steve Jackson. The co-host will be actor Lisa Bostnar (Law & Order, Blindspot, Blacklist, PanAm, FBI:Most Wanted, NY stage, Peterborough Players).

Additionally, an online auction began with pre-bids on Jun. 26. Auction items include a 6-night African Zulu Nyala Safari for two, backyard fireworks show from Atlas PyroVision, 365-day golf club membership from Shattuck Golf, event tent rental from Monadnock Tent & Event, 5-night stay in Cabo San Lucas at a luxury resort, Seiko 24-jewel watch from Hobbs Jewelers, plus dozens of other items including restaurant gift certificates and more. Starting Jun. 26, bidders can visit the online auction directly www.biddingowl.com/theparktheatre or go to the theatre’s website, www.theparktheatre.org.

Bidders can bid online through July 10. At that point, the bidding goes live on the TV program. All online bids are moved to the show for final live bids. Separate auction telephone lines will be set up for people to call in.

The 2-hour broadcast will also include several entertainment breaks with regional performers including singer/songwriters, Volkert Volkersz and Eve Pierce.

“It’s an exhilarating time for everyone at The Park Theatre,” said Jackson. “The dream is coming true with our remarkable facility. We are taking advantage of today’s technology and holding our auction and telethon online.”

Jackson said the fundraiser event has the potential to raise significant funds as the Park finalizes construction and begins to order theatre equipment.

“We can’t thank our auction item donors enough for their incredible support,” he continued. “They are making this a memorable and historic event. Also, a big thanks to all of the volunteers and our celebrity pledge takers for giving their time and talent to this endeavor that will benefit generations to come.”

The Park Theatre first opened in Jaffrey in 1922 and was the center of community life as a movie and vaudeville house for 54 years until it closed in 1976. Purchased by The Park Theatre, Inc. in 2006, it will be rebuilt as a state-of-the-art film and performing arts center, featuring two auditoriums seating 485, presenting movies, live theatre, including children’s productions, concerts, and lectures as well as offering a place for business and community gatherings for the Monadnock Region and its 100,000 residents, school districts and dynamic artistic community. The new theatre complex began construction in January 2019 and will be completed in 2020.