St. Charles celebrates 90th anniversary of the Arcada Theatre

For 90 years, the Arcada Theatre has served as an entertainment hub for the St. Charles community.

Since it first opened Sept. 6, 1926, visitors and residents have flocked to the iconic theater on Main Street for vaudeville shows, feature and short films, silent movies and musical acts. Legendary entertainers of the past century have performed on its stage, and a second version of a pipe organ still rises from beneath the stage floor.

Given to the community by local philanthropists Lester and Dellora Norris, the Arcada has survived historical milestones - the prohibition era, World War II, economic hardships - and is still "hanging on by its Roaring Twenties fingernails," said owner Ron Onesti, who took over the theater 11 years ago.

"We're really celebrating the fact that it's been continuously running for 90 years," Onesti said. "It's a focal point of the community, it's a community center, it's where families for generations have met. And to be able to keep that going is a complete honor for me."

The Arcada's nine decades of success were celebrated Monday with a parade through downtown St. Charles, featuring a Charlie Chaplin look-alike, jugglers, musicians, street performers and cars from the 1920s, '30s and '40s.

Hundreds of spectators, some dressed in 1920s garb, lined the streets to watch the parade before making their way into the theater for a free vaudeville performance and a showing of "The Fourth Alarm" - a 1926 "Our Gang" comedy short that debuted at the Arcada's opening night.

"(Onesti) does everything top-notch," said attendee Trish Rigitano of Batavia. "It's authentic. It's high-quality. He doesn't skip on anything."

Decked out in a feather headpiece and boa, Lyn Scolaro of Rolling Meadows said she has seen performances of all different genres at the Arcada over the years.

"There's never a bad time. There's never a bad seat," she said. "It's a party from the minute you walk in the door to the minute you leave."

For Bartlett resident Annette Citta, the Arcada brings back childhood memories of weekend visits to the former DuPage Theatre in Lombard, where her best friend's father was the projectionist. The Arcada, she said, has maintained the atmosphere of a classic, old-time theater.

"I walked in, and I got goose bumps," she said. "This just takes me back generations."

Onesti says it was his appreciation for the classic era that drew him to the theater in the first place. Now, he said, he's trying to celebrate Norris family's dream and carry out their original intention for the building.

"It's really heartwarming to see the level of support that the fans of the Arcada keep emitting," he said. "They love this place, and they love what it's become."