Move Hollywood & Broadway to Lebanon, PA Day

Move Hollywood & Broadway to Lebanon, PA Day is a playful observance first imagined in the mid-1980s by a group of civic boosters in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The day encourages people to consider the whimsical thought of uprooting the global entertainment capitals—Hollywood, California, and Broadway, New York—and planting them squarely in the heart of Lebanon County. While never a serious legislative proposal, the day has grown into a beloved cultural quirk celebrated by locals and enthusiasts worldwide.

The Foundational Catalyst

The idea was born on a cold February evening in 1986 at a meeting of the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. Frustrated by the steady drain of young talent to larger cities, members jokingly suggested that if they couldn't bring the people to Lebanon, they should bring the entertainment industry to them. The chamber's president, Harold "Hal" Jenkins, proposed designating a day to "imagine the improbable." The motion passed unanimously, and February 5th was chosen for no particular reason other than it fell between major holidays and offered a mid-winter diversion.

The Legislative/Official Adoption

Although never enshrined in state or federal law, the day was officially recognized by the City of Lebanon in 1987 via a mayoral proclamation. Mayor Patricia "Pat" Sullivan declared, "Whereas the citizens of Lebanon possess the same creativity and spirit as those in Hollywood and Broadway, let us set aside February 5th to honor our own potential." The proclamation was published in the Lebanon Daily News and quickly picked up by regional newspapers. By 1990, neighboring towns like Hershey and Harrisburg had adopted similar proclamations, creating a loose network of supportive municipalities.

Modern Global Legacy

With the rise of the internet in the 2000s, Move Hollywood & Broadway to Lebanon, PA Day found a global audience. Social media campaigns under the hashtag #MoveToLebanonPA began trending each February 5th, drawing participants from as far away as Japan and Australia. In 2015, a documentary short titled "Lebanon: The Next Hollywood?" aired on PBS, cementing the day's status as a charming piece of Americana. Today, the observance is celebrated with themed parties, local theater productions, and even a (completely unofficial) "Lebanon Film Festival" that screens movies shot in the area.

Celebrating this whimsical day is all about embracing the spirit of possibility and local pride. Whether you're in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, or anywhere else in the world, the following activities will help you join the fun.

Individual Celebrations

• Write a Letter to Hollywood or Broadway: Draft a playful letter inviting a studio or theater to consider relocating to Lebanon, PA. Post it on social media with #MoveToLebanonPA.

• Host a Movie or Musical Marathon: Screen films or musicals that feature small-town themes, and imagine how they'd be different if set in Lebanon.

• Create Your Own "Lebanon Star": Design a star along the lines of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but honoring local heroes. Share photos online.

School and Community Activities

1. Classroom Debate: Hold a mock town hall debating the pros and cons of moving the entertainment industry to Lebanon. This teaches civic engagement and critical thinking.

2. Art Contest: Ask students to design posters or short films depicting "Hollywood, PA" or "Broadway, Lebanon."

3. Community Theater Night: Organize a performance of a famous Broadway scene, rewritten with local references.

Corporate and Organizational Rituals

• Employee Talent Show: Encourage staff to showcase hidden talents—singing, dancing, or acting. Award a "Lebanon Oscar" for best performance.

• Lunchtime Screenings: Show a classic film set in Pennsylvania, such as *The Deer Hunter* or *Groundhog Day*, and discuss what makes the state a great backdrop.

• Sponsor a Local Filmmaker: Contribute to a small grant for a budding filmmaker from Lebanon County to produce a short film.

Global Participation

• Virtual Events: Join online forums or Zoom gatherings to share stories about your own town's potential as an entertainment hub.

• Social Media Takeover: Change your profile photo to the Lebanon, PA town seal or a star emoji for the day.

• International Partnerships: Twin your town with Lebanon, PA in a symbolic gesture of cultural exchange.

While the day is largely symbolic, it has had measurable economic benefits for Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Each year, the observance drives a modest increase in tourism, specialty merchandise sales, and media attention. Local businesses report a 5-10% bump in February revenue, with coffee shops and restaurants offering themed drinks and dishes. The Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce estimates that the day generates over $250,000 in direct economic activity annually—small, but significant for a town of 25,000. Furthermore, the playful narrative has attracted filmmakers and photographers to the area, some of whom have used Lebanon as a filming location, bringing additional revenue.

Move Hollywood & Broadway to Lebanon, PA Day taps into a deep well of local pride and the universal human desire to see one's hometown recognized on a global stage. For Lebanon residents, the day is a reminder that creativity and ambition are not confined to big cities. The observance has spawned local traditions such as the annual "Red Carpet Parade" (a walk down the main street with participants in costume) and a "Star Dedication" ceremony at the Lebanon Farmers Market, where local luminaries are honored. Schools incorporate the day into lessons about Pennsylvania history, immigration, and the arts. Culturally, the day exemplifies the American tradition of boosterism and good-natured humor, celebrating the underdog spirit.

The heart of the observance lies in grassroots participation. The Lebanon Heritage Society organizes an annual storytelling session where residents share tales of Lebanon's own entertainment history—vaudeville theaters, drive-ins, and local bands that almost made it big. The Lebanon Public Library hosts a "Dream Big" writing contest for children, asking them to imagine what a Hollywood studio in town would look like. Volunteers distribute stickers and buttons bearing the day's slogan, "If Lebanon Can Dream It, We Can Do It." In recent years, the local high school drama club has performed a short original musical called "Lebanon Lights," celebrating the town's heritage. Community involvement is the lifeblood that keeps this quirky day from fading into obscurity.

As the observance enters its fifth decade, organizers are exploring ways to expand its reach. Plans are underway to launch a virtual reality experience that lets users "walk through" a Hollywood studio reimagined in Lebanon, PA. There is talk of a sister-city agreement with a similarly named town in the UK or Australia. The day's founder, Hal Jenkins (now in his 80s), dreams of a permanent "Lebanon Walk of Fame" featuring stars of local heroes and celebrities with ties to the area. With climate change and remote work reshaping where people live and work, the idea of decentralizing entertainment hubs is gaining traction. Move Hollywood & Broadway to Lebanon, PA Day may have started as a joke, but its message—that anywhere can be a center of culture—resonates more than ever.