Dec. 18, 2018 – West Bend, WI – The iconic perimeter-lit “West Bend” sign on the Historic West Bend Theatre (HWBT) will come down next week for restoration to its original luster.
The HWBT board contracted with Poblocki Sign Company to restore both the sign and the marquee. It will be transported to the Poblocki shop for electrical, carpentry and painting.
The reinstallation of both the sign and marquee is targeted for this summer.
“This is step one of many steps to bring historic icon back to life as our community’s historically modern gathering place” said Nic Novaczyk, HWBT president.
“Ninety years of history brought us to today; thisrefurbishment will keep “The Bend” lit through the many decades ahead”
There are 235 bulbs on each face of the sign, for a total of 470. That doesn’t include the bulbs on the marquee.
“That sign has been a beacon in the downtown for nine decades,” he said. When we are finished, it will shine as brightly as it did in 1929.”
The non-profit organization is planning acommunity engagement campaign in 2019. Part of that campaign will give people a chance to purchase individual new bulbs as a way to develop a sense of community ownership and another way to raise restoration funds.
The new bulbs will all be LED for conservation purposes.
What will the cost be per bulb?