The bricks and many other tributes are public acknowledgement of the tremendous support the theater has received. Each engraved brick represents a story and a family name. They were purchased for $50 and some with an additional donation to raise funds for the theater.
As hard as this is on our hearts the sidewalk and street project helps the Panida financially. The lack of good storm water drainage and the challenges of winter snow removal have taken a toll on our sidewalk. The thin 2” bricks are breaking down from this and ordinary wear and tear that has been creating a risk to pedestrians. The bricks will be removed in phases but we will capture as many as possible as they come up. They tend to crumble when taken up and some can not be saved. We will have an event after the final brick is up to help those with family names try to keep their family name. We are seeking any stories people would like to share about their brick to add to an archive of memories being created this year. We are asking people to wait for this event and not cause further risk by removing them before this event.
The city of Sandpoint is helping us remember what the bricks signified with a decorative ribbon in the sidewalk celebrating The Panida Theater – Community Supported – Mission Driven. We are raising funds to create a wall plaque with all of the names that were on the bricks. If you would like to contribute to this special cause please mark ‘Bricks’ on your donation. You can also use the donation form below.
If you have a story to share about your brick you can email it to events@panida.org or an online form will be active soon to capture memories and moments.
The famous bricks that paved the walk in front of the Panida Theater, each one inscribed with the name of individuals and organizations that helped to ensure the beauty and renovation of our town’s most historic structure, those that survived are now available for the donors to take home. These treasures recall the heart of Sandpoint and will find a place of honor in donors’ homes and gardens.
As many bricks as possible were carefully saved during the upgrading of First Avenue and are now displayed alphabetically in the Panida Little Theatre. The names of those whose bricks could be saved are now listed below.
The City of Sandpoint installed a special brass inlay in front of the Panida to celebrate and honor what the bricks represented. It says 'Panida Theater Community Supported ~ Mission Driven'. An additional commemorative tribute will be designed to thank those who generously gave to creating the original walkway. Donations toward this tribute are greatly appreciated.
The historic bricks are available to be picked up JAN 11, 3:30 - 5:30 PM, JAN 14, 1:30 - 3:30 PM and JAN 16, 1:30 - 3:30 PM