The Paxton Theatre Foundation prides itself on providing top-quality entertainment and arts education to the good folks of Southern Ohio.  Entertainment highlights include a children’s theatre camp, live con certs, speaker series, and the fifty-eight-year-old Paint Valley Jamboree.

THE PAINT VALLEY JAMBOREE

The lights came up on the Paint Valley Jamboree for the first time on Feb. 27, 1965, when James Sweeney and Lou Harris formed a partnership to bring a live country and western show to the old Paxton Township Hall (also known as the Bainbridge Opera House). The Jamboree grew wildly in popularity with its mix of local talent and Nashville’s up-and-coming stars of the time: Waylon Jennings, Dottie West, Merle Haggard, Connie Smith, Johnny Paycheck, Minnie Pearl, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner and many more.

Today, The Paint Valley Jamboree presents its latest iteration of live music entertainment at the historic Paxton Theatre…  Fifty Fifty, a timeless mix of classic country and oldie’s rock ‘n’ roll.  Performances take place on the Second Saturday of each month, February to June and August to December.  Each show features the Original Jam Band with vocalists LeighAnne Cooper, Tim Villars, and special guests.

SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATRE PROGRAM

Each summer the Paxton Theatre brings together scores of children from five surrounding counties for the annual Summer Childrens Theatre Camp & Musical Production.  Kids learn acting techniques, theatre stagecraft, makeup, stage combat, and musical skills that help bring each summer production together.  Past productions include Alice in Wonderland, Beauty & The Beast, Shrek, Frozen, Mary Poppins, Little Mermaid, & The Wizard of Oz.

MORE ABOUT THE PAXTON THEATRE

The new Paxton Township Hall, completed in 1910, featured a large theatre seating more than 500. Early shows included live theatre, movies, minstrels, vaudevilles, magic shows, and other entertainment. The early ’60s brought the start of the Paint Valley Jamboree, currently operating in its 57th continuous season.  Today, the Paxton Theatre offers a variety of live, family-friendly entertainment to audiences young and old.