Young John Andrews arrived at York’s Strand Theatre early on a Thursday in late August 1925 equipped with a newspaper, a magazine, a lunch box and a soapbox to rest his feet. The Yorker was there about 12 hours in advance of opening night for the brand-new North George Street theatre and silent movie house. His goal was to get a free season pass for a year as the first patron to purchase a Strand ticket. After a day’s wait he met his goal, becoming of the first of thousands to walk under the theater’s marquee in the next century.

Hometown History’s Jamie Noerpel, Dominish Marie Miller and James McClure host an evening of storytelling and memory-sharing about this iconic entertainment venue. They will explore who performed on the Strand Theatre stage, how the venue reflected an ever-changing York County, and how the residents rallied twice in the past 50 years to create this cultural gem where thousands have gathered for fun and entertainment.