ROCKLAND — The Strand Theatre presents “The Hundred Year Haunt,” an evening of spooky happenings on Saturday, June 17, as part of Rockland’s Summer Solstice Celebration.

Why a “Hundred Year Haunt”? The inspiration for this event is the contest that took place on the summer solstice in 1816. While summering near Lake Geneva that year, Mary Shelley and her friends held a ghost story contest; it was there that 19-year-old Mary began to write her classic novel Frankenstein. The Strand, which is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary in 2023, will be offering afternoon kid’s activities, a Ghost Story Slam, and an evening of Frankenstein film screenings. 

The fun starts in the theater lobby with ghosty arts and crafts for pre-school and elementary age kids, offered from 3 - 5 p.m. At 5 p.m., a brand-new event, a Ghost Story Slam, will take place on the Strand stage. Similar to a poetry slam, or an open mic performance, the Slam will feature original ghost stories read by their authors. People of all ages are invited to submit a story for this event; visit the Strand Theatre website for details on how to participate.

Two screenings will follow:

At 6 p.m., see Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), in which the inimitable comic duo star as railway baggage handlers that must take care of a pair of crates belonging to a house of horrors museum. At 8 p.m., see Frankenstein (1931), the iconic horror film that follows the obsessed scientist Dr. Henry Frankenstein as he attempts to create life by assembling a creature from body parts of the deceased. Running time for Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is 1 hour, 23 minutes. Running time for Frankenstein is 1 hour, 10 minutes.

The kids’ crafts and the Ghost Story Slam are offered with free admission.

Regular ticket pricing will apply to the movie screenings: $9/Adults, $8/Children 12 and under, and $7/Strand Theatre Members.

For more information, visit www.rocklandstrand.com or call (207) 594-0070.

The Strand Theatre is located at 345 Main St., Rockland.