Centennial Theatre renamed Jack Aldrich Theatre

Cedar Point honors man who helped bring music and live entertainment to the park.

Friday, 23 October 2009

Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, – More than 40 years ago, music, song and dance became a major part of the Cedar Point experience.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, the late Jack Aldrich, a Sandusky native and one of the people most responsible for bringing music and live entertainment to the midways of the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort, will be recognized for his contributions. At 10:30 a.m., a private ceremony will be held to officially rename the Centennial Theatre as the Jack Aldrich Theatre and to unveil a plaque that will be displayed in his honor on the front of the theater.

Dick Kinzel, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, worked closely with Aldrich at Cedar Point in the ‘70s and made the decision to rename the theatre to honor him.  “Jack Aldrich is the father of live entertainment at Cedar Point,” he said.  “He made live entertainment an integral part of Cedar Point’s entertainment package.  He was a mentor to many of our young performers.  He was also a colleague and a friend.”

Aldrich worked summers at the park in the 1960s.  Starting in 1973, he directed the park’s entertainment program for 21 years.  He retired as the Director of Park Attractions in 1994.  He passed away in August of this year.

During his tenure at Cedar Point, Aldrich was a strong advocate of Cedar Point’s live entertainment offerings.  Under his guidance, guests of all ages have enjoyed a mix of musical venues ranging from Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll to Dixieland, Blue Grass and Big Band.

“My father was very proud of the shows that were presented at the park and the performers he worked with,” said Tom Aldrich.  “It was very rewarding to him to be able to expand the park’s offerings from bands on the midways to multiple venues presenting a diverse representation of popular American music.”

Even before he began working at Cedar Point, Jack Aldrich brought music to its midways.  A 1948 graduate of Sandusky High School, Aldrich would later become the band director at Perkins and Sandusky high schools.  Each summer, the bands would march along the Cedar Point midway.

After high school, Aldrich attended The Ohio State University where he was a five-year member of the OSU Marching Band.  He was a member of the National Guard and served on active duty during the Korean War as a member of the 37th Division Band.  Aldrich was also a member of the Erie County OSU Alumni Band and Vacationland Band.

“I had the great privilege of working with Jack for many years,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager at Cedar Point.  “His quick wit and one-liners will always be remembered by the people he worked with.  His impact on Cedar Point will never be forgotten.”

For more information about the ceremony, please contact Cedar Point’s Public Relations Department at 419.627.2226.