The First Red Skelton Festival
and Grand Opening Gala

Red Skelton Performing Arts Center, on the Vincennes University Campus 20 Portland Avenue
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Vincennes, Indiana

A special thank you from Executive Committee Chair Marilyn McCormick

The first Red Skelton Festival included an evening of elegance, reflection and laughter. The Grand Opening Gala began with the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of Red Skelton. Vincennes-native Mark Parmenter created the sculpture that was donated to VU by The McCormick Family Foundation. Combined with its black granite base, the sculpture stands more than ten feet high and weighs about one ton. It is the centerpiece of the lobby. Read more and view photos.

Following the ceremony, was a gourmet reception featuring serpentine tables brimming with chilled canapés and hot hors d'oeuvres, cheese displays and seafood, candlelight and flowers and a sweets table. The rhythm of a jazz band filled the air as guests enjoyed the delicacies prepared by Sodexho food services. All this in the splendor of the foyer and patio of the new beautiful Red Skelton Performing Arts Center! View photos.

The excitement was building as guests moved from the reception - it was show time! A touching video featuring photos and clips of Red Skelton set to "Send in the Clowns" reminded all of the reason for this special night. View photos

This feature segued into special numbers performed by four VU theater alumni: Shani Nielsen, Diana Steckler Sacino, Melissa Cary Sandullo and Kirk Hunkler filled the rafters with song!

Then the spotlight turned to Tom Mullica. Mullica's impersonation of Red's many characters combined lots of memories with and lots of fun.

A short intermission, and as the theatre lights dimmed, the comedic and musical stylings of Dick and Tommy Smothers (Smothers Brothers) burst onto stage. And what performance would be complete without a visit from Yo-Yo Man? The wit and charm of the Smothers Brothers left the audience no doubt why they are approaching their 50th year in entertainment!

The show was a David Sandy Production.

If you were not able to join us for the festival weekend, you can still be a part of Red's dream by joining "Friends of Red." Learn more about the efforts to create a museum/exhibition hall adjacent to the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center and preserving Red's boyhood home.

Mrs. Red Skelton writes:
"It was always quite clear to me that Red Skelton's personal memorabilia should go to Red's hometown, for his memory and good works to be cherished and enjoyed forever. Red himself had this same feeling and expressed it many times with no interest in having a memorial in Hollywood...This is a dream come true for the Skelton Family and for Red himself."