Deck the halls with the Park

While the current weather doesn't exactly make one think about decorating for Christmas, it is never too early to start preparing for the most wonderful time of the year. For those looking to add a bit of McMinnville flair to their yuletide festivities, the Park Theater has a coming attraction that will fit the bill.

Beginning today the historic theater, which celebrated its 85th year in 2024 and is currently celebrating 10 years since its grand reopening, is selling a new Christmas ornament featuring the Park's iconic beacon which has towered over McMinnville's Main Street since 1948.

The ornament was made for the Park Theater in the U.S.A. by Beacon Design. A division of ChemArt, the company was founded in 1976 by a U.S. veteran. The ornament was designed, manufactured and assembled by hand in Lincoln, Rhode Island and is etched from solid brass. Beacon Design has been the official manufacturer of the annual White House Historical Association ornament since the program’s inception in 1981. Today, the association sells close to one million ornaments annually.

"Folks have been asking for years that we create an ornament to represent the Park," Park Theater Manager Joe Harvey said. "Locals want a memento of the building or something to give as a gift and out-of-town visitors to the theater have asked for different items to bring home as souvenirs, so we are definitely excited to finally add a limited-edition ornament to our offerings. We only have 250 of this design, so when they're gone, they're gone. If this ornament is successful, we will definitely consider having others made in the future to represent other features of the theater."

The ornament, as well as Park Theater T-shirts, are available for $25 each at the Park Theater box office and at the concession stand during most shows.

“I’m thrilled to see The Park Theater offering its own ornament,” McMinnville Tourism & Marketing Manager Jordan Pupols said. “Visitors love finding unique keepsakes that remind them of special moments from their travels, and this is a perfect way to bring a piece of The Park Theater and the McMinnville experience into their yearly holiday traditions.”