Image

No summer theater in Petrolia in 2020

May 1, 2020

There will be no summer theater in Petrolia this year.

Artistic Directors David Hogan and David Rogers and the staff of Victoria Playhouse Petrolia met Thursday and decided there was no way to move ahead which was supposed to start in May.

Hogan and Rogers had already moved the first show of the season to the 2021 event because of the uncertainty around the restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. Right now, the province says only five people can gather at one time and Premier Ford has said it is unlikely large events will be permitted this summer.

Each summer up to 40,000 people attend performances at the historic theater and pump up to $1.6 million into the regional economy according to statistics from the Town of Petrolia.

Hogan says they have been carefully watching the provincial directives and planned to follow them to the letter of the law, but they were also concerned for their patron’s health. “Our gorgeous seniors; we’re not going to put them in harms way – not at all.”

The VPP plans to move the entire season, including On Golden Pond with Michael Learned and Hal Lindsay to the 2021 season. They ask people to “hold on to their tickets, because they will be honoured in 2021.”

The pair are also hopeful the Christmas shows planned for 2020 will move ahead, however plans will be made to change those dates if necessary also.

“It’s difficult because this was sizing up to be one of our best seasons,” Hogan tells The Independent, adding “We we’re already selling better than we did the year before.”

But he added they remain hopeful because “we will be together again, one day.”

Share This

Image
Front Page

Greenhill Gardens closed; upkeep of six-acre garden ‘challenging’

June 16, 2025

The Independent Greenhill Gardens – a once privately-owned oasis in Wilkesport – is closed to the public. That from the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation which took over the grounds in 2024. The gardens were cultivated by Joy Robson for years and her husband, Bill, allowed people to come and walk through the gardens for free. After the death of

Read More

Image
Front Page

Thedford EMS changes years away

June 15, 2025

The Independent Thedford residents won’t be losing their ambulance station for some time. That from Lambton County officials. Last month, Lambton Shores councillors voiced concern about a county plan which would close the Thedford station and have Forest paramedics to cover their calls. Lambton EMS also plans to move the Grand Bend station near Pinery Park hoping to provide better

Read More

Image
Front Page

No ATV rally for Petrolia Ag Society

June 15, 2025

The Independent There will not be ATVs rumbling through Petrolia this summer. Kelly Humphrey of the Petrolia Enniskillen Agricultural Society came to council in mid-May asking if PEAS could host an ATV rally with Greenwood Park as a starting and finishing point and using Petrolia streets to get to the starting and finishing point.  Julie Bullock, director of parks and

Read More

Image
Front Page

Fair banner may not fly

June 14, 2025

The Independent The Moore Agricultural Society has some big plans for the 175th anniversary of the Brigden Fair. But not all of their plans may work out. The ag society has asked for and received several approvals from St. Clair Township council for special events at the landmark fair including allowing a low-level Canadian Armed Forces Flyby and helicopter landings

Read More