Angry Birds 2 to Show on July 9th!

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Tami Mayhugh 706.244-0039

Date: 06/29/2020

RE: Summer Movie Series

TOCCOA, GA, June 29, 2020 – On week two of our summer movie series, The Angry Birds 2 Movie flies into the Historic Ritz Theatre on Thursday July 9^th at 10:00am, 3:00pm, and 7:00pm.

Red, Chuck, Bomb and the rest of their feathered friends are surprised when a green pig suggests that they put aside their differences and unite to fight a common threat. Aggressive birds from an island covered in ice are planning to use an elaborate weapon to destroy the fowl and swine way of life. After picking their best and brightest, the birds and pigs come up with a scheme to infiltrate the island, deactivate the device and return to their respective paradises intact. The movie features the voices Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Leslie Jones, Peter Dinklage, and Bill Hader. It is rated PG with a run time of 1hr and 37minutes.

Because of social distancing guidelines each show time will be limited to the first 100 guests. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the theatre and face masks are encouraged. The theatre will be cleaned and disinfected between each showing.

As always, tickets and concessions are just $1 each and we are cash only. If you have any questions please contact Ritz Theatre General Manager Tami Mayhugh at 706-244-0039 or tmayhugh@cityoftocccoa.com

Historic Plaque to be Placed at the Ritz Theatre

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Christian Hamilton, 706.898.5777

RE: Historic Plaque Ceremony, Historic Ritz Theatre, July 2^nd, 2020

TOCCOA, GA – Main Street Toccoa is pleased to announce that an historic plaque will be placed at the Historic Ritz Theatre in recognition of the history of the Civil Rights movement and its efforts in Toccoa. This plaque will be placed on Thursday, July 2^nd, 2020 at 5pm.

The Historic Ritz Theatre was constructed in 1939 and, from its early years, was a segregated facility. White patrons were seated in the main auditorium, while black patrons were seated in the balcony. With the advent of the Civil Rights movement and the nationwide call for desegregation, the Historic Ritz Theatre became integrated. This plaque celebrates the “Struggle for Equal Rights” and the axiom that we as Toccoans are stronger together than when we are separated.

The plaque dedication will be held in the parking lot immediately adjacent to the Historic Ritz Theatre at 5pm. Tents will be set up, and social distancing is encouraged. The event will be livestreamed on the Main Street Toccoa Facebook page for those unable to attend. The dedication ceremony is co-sponsored by the Toccoa Improvement Association.

The Main Street Office is happy to answer any questions regarding the City of Toccoa’s Historic Plaque Program. Please contact Christian Hamilton at 706.898.5777 for inquiries.

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Summer Movies at the Ritz Kick Off With "1917."

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Tami Mayhugh 706.244-0039

Date: 06/22/2020

RE: Summer Movie Series

TOCCOA, GA,  June 22, 2020 – The Historic Ritz Theatre’s summer movie series will kick-off on Thursday, July 2^nd with three showings of the WWI drama, 1917 at 10:00am, 3:00pm, and 7:00pm.

To help usher in Independence Day weekend we have chosen the award-winning blockbuster, 1917.  Set during World War I, two British soldiers -- Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake -- receive seemingly impossible orders. In a race against time, they must cross over into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save 1,600 of their fellow comrades -- including Blake's own brother.  The movie stars George McKay, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dean-Charles Chapman, and Colin Firth.  It is Rated-R with a run time of 1:59. ID’s will be checked at the door.

Because of social distancing guidelines each show time will be limited to the first 100 guests. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the theatre and face masks are encouraged. The theatre will be cleaned and disinfected between each showing.

As always, tickets and concessions are just $1 each and we are cash only. If you have any questions please contact Ritz Theatre General Manager Tami Mayhugh at 706-244-0039 or tmayhugh@cityoftocccoa.com

Ida Cox Music Series Kicks Off on July 4th!

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact:  Sharon Crosby

Date: 6/22/20

RE: 2020 Ida Cox Music Series Begins with Abbey Rd. LIVE!

TOCCOA, GA, June 22, 2020– Main Street Toccoa is happy to announce that the 2020 Ida Cox Music Series begins Saturday, July 4 and will go through September 26. This year’s opening act will be one of the 2019 Open Mic Monday winners, Garrett Lott from 7:00 pm – 7:45. The headlining act is Abbey Rd. Live! from 8pm – 10 pm.

Since 2002, Abbey Road LIVE! has specialized in complete, start-to-finish album performances of masterpieces such as "Abbey Road", "Magical Mystery Tour", "Rubber Soul", "Revolver" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band".

Abbey Road LIVE! is not your typical Beatle cover band. This show is about bringing to life some of the more mature and complex Beatles material in a raw & spirited fashion, while remaining true to the original recordings.

Abbey Road LIVE! is made up of four all-star musicians from the infamous Athens GA music scene. Collectively the band members have recorded and toured regularly with Cosmic Charlie, Charlie Mars, and Fuzzy Sprouts. Individual band members have also collaborated with acts such as Indigo Girls, Juliana Hatfield, Mike Houser (Widespread Panic), Danielle Howle and Lemonheads.

At a typical Abbey Road LIVE! show, audiences young and old can be found gleefully singing along with every word, many in utter disbelief at getting to hear this monumental music performed live; something that even the Beatles themselves never did, since they stopped touring in 1966.

 In accordance with CDC recommendations, masks will be available as well as individual bottles of hand sanitizer. There will be two hand washing stations in the concert area and restrooms will be open to one person at a time. Everyone will be asked to keep social distancing.

Mike’s on the Go, Dollar Dogs, and Kona Ice will be available as well as the x-Factor Grill for dinner or snacks.

For more information contact The Main Street Office at 706-282-3309 or go to www.idacoxmusicseries.com

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Main Street Toccoa Receives 2020 Accreditation

SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                             Contact:    Christian Hamilton

Main Street Toccoa

706.898.5777

chamilton@cityoftoccoa.com

Main Street Toccoa

Receives 2020 National Main Street Accreditation

TOCCOA, GA – June 22, 2020 (Date) – Main Street Toccoa has been designated as a 2020 Accredited Main Street America™ program.  Accredited status is Main Street America’s top tier of recognition and signifies a demonstrated commitment to comprehensive commercial district revitalization and proven track record of successfully applying the Main Street Approach™. 

“We are proud to recognize this year’s 860 Nationally Accredited Main Street America programs that have dedicated themselves to strengthening their communities,” said Patrice Frey, President & CEO of the National Main Street Center. “These Accredited Main Street programs have proven to be powerful engines for revitalization by sparking impressive economic returns and preserving the character of their communities. During these challenging times, these Main Street programs will be key to bringing economic vitality back to commercial districts and improving quality of life during the recovery process.”

In 2019 alone, $6.45 billion of public and private reinvestment was generated, 6,466 net new businesses were opened, 32,316 net new were jobs created, and 10,412 buildings were rehabilitated in Main Street America communities.

Main Street Toccoa’s performance is evaluated by Georgia Main Street, part of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Downtown Development, which works in partnership with Main Street America to identify the local programs that meet ten rigorous performance standards. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, documenting programmatic progress, and actively preserving historic buildings.

“We are proud once again to be designated by the National Main Street Center as an Accredited program,” said Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton. “For the past thirty years, Main Street Toccoa has been at the forefront of downtown development in Northeast Georgia, and since that time, we have seen hundreds of jobs created in the downtown district and hundreds of thousands of visitors that have attended our festivals and shopped in our businesses. We would like to encourage locals to remember Downtown Toccoa as life returns to normal from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hamilton added.

For more information, please contact Hamilton at 706.898.5777.

           

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Summer Movies Return to the Historic Ritz Theatre!

Press Release

Release: Immediate

Contact: Tami Mayhugh, 706.244.0039

Date: June 15, 2020

RE: Summer movies return to the Historic Ritz Theatre

Toccoa, GA  June 15, 2020 – For the first time since early March, the Historic Ritz Theatre will be opening our doors.  Our summer movie series is slated to start on Thursday, July 2^nd at 10:00am with additional showings at 3:00pm and 7:00pm.

To kick-off Independence Day weekend, we will be showing the award-winning blockbuster 1917.  Our family-friendly favorites return the following weeks with The Angry Birds 2 Movie on July 9^th, Jumanji: The Next Level, July 16^th, The Addams Family, July 23^rd, and Aladdin on July 30^th. 

Because of social distancing guidelines each showing will be limited to the first 100 guests, therefore our July movies will now be shown at 10:00am, 3:00pm, and 7:00pm.  We will also be following all CDC recommendations. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the theatre, bathrooms will be cleaned during and after each showing, and all chairs, door knobs, and fixtures will be cleaned with anti-bacterial spray.  Bathrooms will be limited to one person at a time. Concessions will be available and set up in front of the stage in the orchestra pit to help eliminate over-crowding in the lobby area. Please make plans to arrive at the theatre for your show time a little earlier than normal.

For those who remember the Ritz’s Saturday matinees, we are bringing those back on August 2^nd. Movie times will be at 10:00am and 2:00pm and include Frozen 2, Lion King, Secret Life of Pets 2, Dolittle, and Harriet.

As always, movies and concessions are only $1 each and we are cash only. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Tami Mayhugh, Ritz Theatre General Manager at tmayhugh@cityoftoccoa.com or at 706-244-0039.