“We’ve created a beautiful backdrop based on the historic Broadway mural,” said Lisa Thompson, Executive Director of the Paducah Renaissance Alliance (PRA). “We’ve also got a surprise for anyone who ever went to a movie at the Columbia; two wonderful volunteers, Richard and Debbie Glasscock, have crafted a replica of the Columbia ‘blade’ — the lighted sign that graced the Columbia for so many years.  It is truly special and will light up the night for all of us.”
 
The Columbia Club is a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to preserve and protect Paducah’s architecture, history, and culture through advocacy, education, and community involvement.

Information about the Columbia Club will be available at an informational booth during Barbecue on the River, Thursday, September 27 through Saturday night, September 29. In addition to information, membership sign-ups and donation opportunities, the Columbia Club will set up a storytelling opportunity in which anyone in the community may share their memories of historic downtown Paducah.  Storytellers will stand in front of a beautiful black and white photo of historic Broadway to be filmed by volunteer and freelance videographer, Kevin Klepeis.
 
Storytellers may share any fond memories of Paducah, from having their first kiss on a date at the Columbia Theatre, to buying back-to-school clothes at Paducah Drygoods, to sitting at the lunch counter at the Kresge. Come tell your story and record the oral history of our city.
 
The storytelling will be 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, but the information table will run throughout the Festival. The Columbia Club is also selling popcorn, with all proceeds going into the non-profit fund. All Columbia Club activities will occur on the front lawn of the National Quilt Museum at 2nd and Jefferson Streets.
 
Columbia Club, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) historic preservation organization supported by a dedicated membership. The mission of the Columbia Club (CC) is to preserve and protect Paducah’s architecture, history and culture through advocacy, education and community involvement.
 
The Paducah Renaissance Alliance, a national Main Street program, serves to stimulate the economic vitality of the historic downtown and Lower Town arts district, while protecting the historic integrity of our community.