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An Evening with Mary Holliday - sponsored by the Waco History Project
posted by
annabelltoo
on
October 12, 2006 at 4:39 am
WACO, TX — This event which will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 10 at the Waco Hippodrome Theater will feature a re-enactment of the Jones Fine Bread Kiddie Matinee that was held at the Waco Theater from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. As the first female radio announcer, Mary Holliday hosted this show on Saturday mornings and cartoon serials were shown following the variety show.
Children from all walks of life in Waco and the surrounding towns traveled to audition with her at the Waco studios located in the Alico Building located and still standing at 4th and Austin Avenue.
Due to the popularity of the show, it was moved to the Waco Theater and hosted there for over 20 years.
Ms. Holliday’s work influenced the lives and careers of many Wacoans as they grew up and her most famous graduate was country and western star Hank Thompson. Thompson, who still performs today, remembers her as a, “warm and welcoming person who loved children.”
The re-enactment will feature students from the Waco Children’s Theater and the G.W. Carver Academy Band along with honoring past performers and musicians. The program will then be opened to the floor for additional memories and testimonials.
At this time, a continued search to locate any family members of Mary Holliday is ongoing and any information concerning past shows, recordings, records, memorabilia or any information is welcome.
Contact Jennifer Warren, Waco Hippodrome Theater Historian, at or 254-366-2442.
