Photo Provided The recently restore popcorn maker at the Monroe Theatre during its fundraising auction on March 16.

WOODSFIELD — An auction to benefit the historic Monroe Theatre in Woodsfield is coming up, with organizers bidding to raise funds for ongoing restoration at the building.

The auction is slated for 10 a.m. March 16 at the theater, located at 104 N. Main St. in Woodsfield.

There is still time for those interested in donating items to the theater for auction to get them there. Those not able to transport their items can call the theater to arrange to have them picked up at 866-537-0413.

Among the items donated so far are glassware and furniture — including a large bookcase, according to Mitchell Schumacher, president of the Monroe Arts Council that operates the theater. There is even a pony harness for a buggy cart that will be part of the auction, he said.

Schumacher noted that those wanting to bid on items must be present at the Monroe Theatre on the day of the auction.

“We just don’t have the manpower” to take bids online or by phone, he said.

In addition, those purchasing large items will have to find a way to transport them home.

“They have to arrange the hauling for themselves,” Schumacher continued. “We are offering to transport them from the donor to the theater. But once somebody buys it, it’s their responsibility to move it.”

An additional treat during the auction will come courtesy of the theater’s recently restored popcorn machine — which will be unveiled during the auction.

Local resident Paul Howell did the work, and he has also restored sconces and the ticket receiver in the front lobby all free of charge, according to Schumacher.

Money raised during the auction will go toward ongoing renovations at the Monroe Theatre, which first opened in 1939. At present, it has 299 temporary seats, according to Schumacher.

“Once we get our sprinkler system in, we can have over 300 seats,” he said. “Our goal is to eventually have 600 seats.”

Schumacher and others are working on plans to install a balcony in the theater. In early 2022, the Monroe Theatre received a $260,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the balcony project. But the theater and the Monroe Arts Council must raise $72,000 to match the grant before it can come to fruition.

The theater appears to be busy with a number of upcoming events.

“Monroe Kids Got Talent,” a talent show for children, is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9. A past youth talent show at the theater was won by 10-year-old Memphis Blackstone, who showed off his auctioneering skills. Blackstone now assists the theater whenever it has a fundraising auction, according to Schumacher.

There will be “Hee Haw” nights at the theater on March 29-30.

Then pianist Lee Alverson will perform a Billy Joel-Elton John tribute show at the theater on April 13 titled “One Man, One Piano, One Night.”

Theater Manager Rick Brown added he tries to schedule a wide variety of musical acts, including some heavy metal concerts.

“We’re trying to keep everything well-rounded so that it is not all gospel, country and bluegrass,” he said.

There is an arcade in the theater that serves as a youth gathering spot one night each month, Schumacher continued. Birthday parties also can be arranged there, with the theater supplying both food and entertainment.

Those calling the theater might also be surprised that one of the phone options provides information about “paranormal investigations.” Brown and Schumacher explained there are scheduled tours of the theater that happen in the dark with visitors carrying flashlights to find a new experience there.

They said paranormal investigators also on occasion have spent the night in the building.

The idea of the renovations isn’t to change much about the character of the building, Schumacher added.

“We’re trying to keep its flair and artistic integrity intact,” he noted.