Barter Theatre Hosts 80TH ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY BASH Tonight

Today, June 10 will officially mark Barter Theatre's 80th year. To thank our community and to celebrate, Barter will host a free event tonight from 6-8pm. The 80th Anniversary Birthday Bash will be a block party-style celebration extending from main stage to Porterfield Square and Barter Stage II.

"Barter is unique among major regional theatres because it is so deeply rooted in its community. We know we owe a debt to this region for supporting us through thick and thin over the past 80 years, and we are always aware that we are here to serve our audience with the best possible theatre we can create," said Amanda Leslie, director of marketing.

To commemorate this milestone, the town of Abingdon will officially announce that June 10 will be Barter Theatre Day.

Attendees can enjoy free cupcakes (while they last) provided by BabyCakes Cupcakery, a petting zoo on Porterfield Square, face painting for kids, free backstage tours of main stage, and a grand prize giveaway for a week's stay at 4 Seasons at Beech (Beech Mountain, NC).

To compete for the grand prize, attendees will be given a questionnaire with Barter trivia. At the celebration, fill out a quiz as part of the Barter Trivia Contest. All the winners will be placed in a drawing to win a week's stay at 4 Seasons at Beech on Beech Mountain, NC. A free guide of 80 things you didn't know about Barter Theatre can be found on the Barter Birthday Bash page at BarterTheatre.com

When he founded Barter Theatre in 1933, Robert Porterfield and his colleagues were starving in New York. He compared this to his homeland, Southwest Virginia. Farmers had such an abundance of food; much of it was spoiling. So, Porterfield brought a troupe of actors to Southwest Virginia to begin a Barter Theatre and he proclaimed, "With vegetables you cannot sell, you can buy a good laugh."

Eighty years later, Barter is well-known for giving actors such as Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine and Patricia Neal their start. Patrons from around the globe visit Barter, over 160,000 per year, which makes Barter Theatre not only the largest arts organization in the region, but also a major economic driver for the town of Abingdon and the region. Eighty years after its founding Barter Theatre continues to be one of the nation's most vibrant and exciting professional theatre experiences.

"This free party is a way to acknowledge how far we've come, and thank our friends and neighbors for helping us thrive," said Leslie.

For more information go to BarterTheatre.com or call 276.628.3991.

Pictured: Barter Theatre Founder Robert Porterfield with patron.

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