HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – As if ordered up specifically for this year’s Picnic with the Pops “Golden Age of Hollywood” theme, Hopkinsville’s Sixth Street art district was ablaze with sunshine and a cooling breeze as patrons came out to support the annual Pennyroyal Arts Council event.
This popular fundraising event, which was started in 1986 and revived during Covid-19 to become an outdoor activity, helps raise funds for the Pennyroyal Arts Council and the Alhambra Theatre to continue to host live theater events, promote local artists and provide art education to students and adults alike.
Executive director Margaret Prim was excited about the large turnout at the event. “Our numbers have fallen back over the last few years, so we are trying to bring back the crowds. Last year’s celebration was the 95th anniversary of the theatre, where we first had Todd Hill and his orchestra play, was a great success. The event has grown every year since the 2021 Bourbon Street theme.”
Reservations were available to order a picnic dinner from local vendors, including The Local, The Mixer and WB Express. Patrons was encouraged to decorate their tables to match the theme and many patrons embraced the idea, even dressing up to represent their favorite time periods and movies. The council members and staff were sporting Roaring 20’s fashions, mingling with Sherlock Holmes, Jayne Mansfield, Holly Golightly and several baseball players from ‘A League of Their Own’, just to name a few.
Music and silent auction
Providing the soundtrack to the event was Todd Hill and His Orchestra, playing a wide variety of music pulled directly from signature movies of the golden ages. Patrons enjoyed renditions of “In the Mood”, “Begin the Beguine” and “Embraceable You”, and one almost expected Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald to walk onstage to perform a Cole Porter number.
A silent auction showcasing works donated by local artists was also held during the evening. The lobby of the Alhambra was brimming with art in many different mediums, from paint to pillows. To support the local artists, the asking price of the items will go to that artist but all proceeds over that will go to the Council. As stewards of the Alhambra, those extra funds will help maintain the theatre, allowing the many programs offered, including the upcoming Visual Arts Camp in June, to continue.
“We’ve have over 1,500 students come to our events and we look forward to reaching more,” Prim said.
Bryce Sutton, the rental and hospitality manager, helped organize the silent auction and was very excited about the artwork on display. “All the artwork here is done by local artists. We did an art gallery in here but we didn’t do a silent auction so it’s different. It’s not only their friends but the community that can support all artists and take home original art.” Any art that not sold during the event will still be available for purchase at the Alhambra Theatre during their normal business hours.
The next big fundraiser will be in September, with Dancing with Our Local Stars. The Pennyroyal Art Council website also has information about volunteering, supporting and the event calendar with more exciting opportunities to support the Alhambra
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