Wanee Theater Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Johnson Theater with free movies on June 29th

The Wanee Theater is celebrating a major milestone: It’s the theater’s 80th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of when Katie and Bud Johnson took over the Wanee Theater—June 26th, 1976. The anniversary celebration is set for Monday, June 29th, 2026, at 7 PM, with free admission for a special screening of The Outlaw Josey Wales, the film that premiered on that original day. Organizers also plan to show Jaws, responding to strong demand from movie fans who want to experience the classic thriller on the big screen. While Rocky became 1976’s top film, this celebration is all about memories, movies, and community. You can stay up-to-date on the Wanee Theater “Facebook page.”

A Kewanee landmark continues to light up Main Street eight decades after its debut. The Wanee Theater, located at 106 South Main Street, first opened June 5th, 1946, with red velvet seating, modern air conditioning, and even a “crying room” for parents with infants. Known for its Late Streamline With modern style and a classic marquee, the theater later became a twin cinema in the 1980s to compete with multiplexes. Through decades of change, the Johnson family helped preserve its small-town character, affordable tickets, and movie-house popcorn tradition. Today, the Wanee remains one of Henry County’s few surviving historic theaters still in operation.