Fox Theatre Thanks Atlanta

Fox president and CEO Allan Vella, joined by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and others, on Tuesday announced a yearlong celebration to thank Atlanta for the “Save the Fox” campaign.

“First and foremost, the Fox wants to thank Atlanta for their efforts in saving this landmark,” Vella said, according to a prepared statement. “Without your efforts in our rebirth 40 years ago, we wouldn’t be where we are today. In fact, we wouldn’t be here period.”

The celebration, called “The Legend Lives On,” is set to include a block party, a gala, an educational partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design, a contest to find its biggest fan, a film festival and a series of shows.

The Fox Theatre, built in the 1920s as a Shriners mosque, had fallen into disrepair by 1974 and was set for demolition. A coalition of citizens, students, local businesses and the mayor’s office banded together to save the midtown Atlanta landmark. It was spared demolition and now hosts more than 300 events each year.

Among the shows expected in the coming year are comedian and Atlanta native Jeff Foxworthy and “One More For The Fans,” a musical tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd, which performed a 1976 benefit concert for the Fox that turned into the live album “One More From The Road.”