On December 3, 2024, the Wildey Theatre held a ‘grand relighting’ ceremony completely restoring the marquee back to its original 1937 look.  Five different shades of paint were applied to the marquee, components and other lighting were updated, and 665 linear feet (98 tubes) of neon tubing were replaced.  City officials and supporters started an audience countdown and flipped the switch at 6 PM.  

Participants were treated to hot cocoa and cookies.  This is the first time in 40 years that the marquee has been completely lit.  

On September 16, 2010, over 200 Edwardsville High School orchestra, choir and theatre students volunteered their talents for a benefit concert to help raise money for a new curtain for the renovated Wildey Theatre. The students played music and sang songs from movies that were shown at the Wildey during its 100-year history.

In this June 11, 2010 segment, KMOV's "Great Day St. Louis" came to Edwardsville during the Route 66 Festival and broadcast this report on the Wildey's renovation. 

On this January 9, 2009, Bank of Edwardsville Hidden Treasure segment on KMOV’s “Great Day St. Louis,” reporter Tim Tialdo interviews Rich Walker inside the Wildey Theatre.

On January 18th, 2008, John Auble from Fox 2 News interviewed Rich Walker, Edwardsville Alderman, about the Wildey Theatre "Living History Project."  Residents were encouraged to share their memories.  Movie popcorn, Jujubes, malted milk balls and lemon drops were served.

Edwardsville Retired Alderman Rich Walker is working with local historians to document the "living history" of the Wildey. They are collecting stories from people about their personal experiences at the Wildey. Please e-mail your personal story and experience about the Wildey for inclusion in the Living History Project. First date? $1 movies? Prom? Where you there when the tornado hit? Tell us your story and help keep the history of the Wildey alive for the future.

Contact Retired Alderman Rich Walker at
wildeyfriends@gmail.com
with your stories or questions about the Living History Project.

On January 11th, 2007, John Auble from Fox 2 News broadcasted an update on the Wildey Theatre.  Included in the broadcast was an interview with Joan Evers, daughter of Ed Foehrkalb (former Wildey Theatre projectionist for over 40 years).

On March 29, 2005, a special lighting ceremony was held to light up the Wildey Theatre's newly restored marquee. Three separate switches were flipped representing the past, present and the future of the Wildey.  Joan Evers flipped the first switch, Marvin "Preach" Webb flipped the second switch, and a group of children from the community flipped the third switch.

On March 8, 1984, Kathy Leonard for Channel 5 Night Beat announced the closing of the Wildey Theatre in a taped news broadcast. Here are some excerpts from that broadcast on closing night.

Kathy Leonard's introduction of the Wildey Theatre. More than 400 people were in attendance on closing night to see a showing of the Wildey's final movie The Big Chill.

Ed Foehrkalb served as the Wildey’s projectionist for more than 40 years.  He began working at the theater as a boy, sweeping floors and doing other odd jobs.  Mr. Foehrkalb is the only person who was in the audience on opening day in 1909 and at the theatre closing 75 years later. On March 8, 1984, employees of the Wildey Theatre presented Mr. Foehrkalb with the last aluminum reel used at the theatre.

In 1937, the Wildey reopened after a major renovation.  The old iron canopy was removed and was replaced with a lighted marquee with yellow, orange and red stripes. Many of the Wildey’s marquee lights were burnt out when this video was taped, but the marquee still shone bright.