Along with the headliner, The Marshall Tucker Band, and the warm-up band, Sundown, comprised of Westchester-based musicians, there were four mayors in the house -- current Peekskill Mayor Frank Catalina, Former Mayor of Peekskill and Westchester County Legislator John Testa, and former Peekskill Mayors Mary Foster and Fran Gibbs.
Former New York Governor and current candidate for President, George Pataki was also in attendance.
Before the show began, there was also a short singing performance by Avery Avellino and Kate Ciulla, students with the Croton-based Cortlandt School of Performing Arts.
Prior to the concert, Paramount CEO Kurt G. Heitmann spoke of the community's involvement with the theater over the years, including its many sponsors. One sponsor, in particular, Peekskill's N. Dain's Sons Co., in business since 1848, got a shout out for being with the theater since its opening on June 27, 1930.
He also asked anyone who'd ever been involved with the theater to stand up prior to the show for a round of applause.
"Theaters like this don't survive without the support of the community," he stressed.
Heitmann, a Garrison resident who grew up in Peekskill (see previous Daily Voice story here), said celebrating the Paramount's 85th birthday has been a sense of accomplishment. "It's hard to operate a place that had been shut down for years," he said. "This proves our doors are open."
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