Searcy (LP) The Rialto theatre is a mark on Searcys’ history. People used to come from all over to watch movies at the rialto. Families came together and had a family movie night and children all over Searcy wanted to see the flashing neon lights at night or go on a good behavior trip with the school.  As the years past  the rialto has became dreary and run down many people wouldn’t go. Recently the city and many other people made it a mission to remodel and renovate the iconic historic mark.  Renovating would mean more tourist back to searcy and more people filling the seats at the old theatre. The older buildings on the square are well cared for however, this has left the rialto without the much needed attention the last few years. The results of this are very obvious through a drop in price for movies and the inside and outside of the movie theatre. The fact that Searcy is making it a goal to renew the rialto has touched many hearts and made many people in this town come together.

Children and adults remember the bright iconic neon lights that attracted your attention, making you want to come inside. Rows and rows of laughter and joy filled the rialto. Tommi Johnston a family and consumer science teacher at Searcy High School stated, “The first movie I watched was Jaws the rialto was something different usually a treat.” As a child the rialto was my home. I remember every night helping my mom and the people who worked there. The whole place to little eyes looked like a bight mysterious castle. Standing in the attic were the video came out to play on the screen you could see the joy the rialto brought in. Some people didn’t even spend time with their family anywhere besides the rialto. Darian Onesti a senior at Searcy High said, “The movie at the rialto I watched was Shark Boy and Lava Girl 3D. The rialto was cheap.” Built in 1940 the rialto became popular immediately as one of the first theaters in Arkansas. To this day it still stands as a historic mark in history anyone who grew up in Searcy Adults and Children remember going to the theatre at one point. Mrs. Johnston was 6 or 7 the first time she remembered going now she takes her son when she has a chance.