Historic hall gets major makeover

            

   As Blyth Memorial Hall nears its centenary, the famous building has received a $4 million rejuvenation designed to keep it the region’s preeminent live theatre venue for decades to come.

   The hall was built by the community as a memorial to the people from the Blyth area who had served in World War I, with the cornerstone laid in 1920. It served as a community centre for decades but it was after the Blyth Festival was founded in 1975 that it became Huron County’s foremost home for top flight live entertainment. Not only has the festival attracted more than a million theatre-goers in its 42 seasons, but in the fall and winter the stage has hosted a who’s who of Canadian entertainment such as Liona Boyd, Maureen Forrester, Murray McLaughlin, Valdy, Loreena McKennitt and Rita MacNeil.

   After a fall and winter when the only activity in the building has been a swarm of construction workers, the entertainers will be back beginning with the Festival’s opening performance, June 28.