Friends of Gem Theater invites the public to light up Main Street. 

The community is invited to join them as they flip the switch on the Gem’s iconic neon marquee at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 25 at the Gem Theater, located at 648 Main Street, Pioche.

The Gem Theater has sat closed for 20 years. There are additional phases of construction required to reopen and operate the movie theater again. However, the marquee rehabilitation project is the first completed scope made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development fund.

“We’re thrilled with the results of this project,” said Melissa Clary, President of Friends of Gem Theater, the 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization behind the building’s restoration. “While there is still a lot of work to repair the building for reopening, we wanted to fix the marquee first to beautify the façade and let the community know we’re serious about bringing the Gem back.”

Starting at 7 p.m., the ceremony will feature speakers recognizing the momentous occasion and acknowledgments of the project’s contractors, including: Hartlauer Signs of Las Vegas and Gust Electric of Ely. There will be music, fresh popcorn and free giveaways for families and an opportunity to take photos in front of the newly lit neon marquee. Immediately following the ceremony, adults ages 21-and-older, are invited next door to the Overland Saloon to enjoy drink specials, light refreshments, exciting raffle prizes and merchandise, with proceeds going toward the theater’s further rehabilitation.Learn more about the project at www.gempioche.com.