As the town of Eau Claire begins to prepare for its fall festivities, the Downtown Micon Cinema will host their own month of fear.
This month-long opportunity allows horror movie lovers to watch their favorite classics on the big screen. The event started last weekend with “The Exorcist.” Screenings start at 10 p.m. with an admission price of $5.
The cinema will show three more films during the month of October, including “The Nightmare on Elm Street“October 14 and 15, “the brilliant“the 21-22 and “Halloween” on 28-30.
The family business has operated the theater for nearly 19 years, beginning in 2004 and opened to the public in downtown Eau Claire.
David Allen is an employee of micon and has been at it long enough to have experienced Fright Month before.
“Older movies (viewers) may not have had a reference for… how it built in other movies that we’ve seen more recently,” Allen said.
Along with the classic films shown throughout the month, a ghost tour is also held to enhance the downtown atmosphere. The Downtown Cinema will host a tour of Eau Claire through the eyes of the paranormal from 7-8 p.m. on October 17, 19, 24 and 26.
The tour includes the screening room and the cinema’s retired basement, both of which are said to be haunted.
“People are willingly looking for things to scare them off because of the time of year,” Allen said.
Because of this Halloween-induced energy, people lined up outside the theater entrance on Saturday, October 8 to buy their tickets for “The Exorcist.”
Movie buffs Jake and Kearstin C say they have been to this theater several times, most recently to see the new Minions movie with their child.
“I love that it’s old, that it’s been around a long time and that it’s still around…It’s got that old school charm,” said Jake C.
The theater itself has been a downtown staple for many years. According to the audience Wisconsin History records, the building was originally constructed as “The Cameo Theater” in 1946.
Although many remodelings and management changes occurred between this date and the current theater, records show that all of the changes put energy into persevering in the original. Modern Art cinema style.
This historic building and its fall traditions will also be open to other novelties. Their showtime includes but is not limited to “don’t worry darling,” “Smile,” and “Halloween ends.”
Brandel can be reached at [email protected].
