MARIETTA - A three-day celebration, from today to Sunday, at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre will mark its first anniversary by reliving the glitz and glamour of its grand opening last January.

"We are really trying to celebrate the variety of events we have had here throughout the year," Christy Rosell, director of business development and marketing, said of the various events on tap for the weekend.

The birthday party will begin tonight with "A Silent Birthday Song: The General," during which the silent film "The General" will be shown along with live organ music.

Saturday night's black-tie gala, "The Icing on the Cake Show," will be reminiscent of last year's red carpet grand opening.

On Sunday, "The Gift of the Arts" program will feature local performance groups such as PlayRight Productions.

The Strand has been a boost for businesses on the Square, including the Marietta Trolley Company. In honor of the anniversary, the trolley company's Rides for a Reason program will donate $5 from each ticket sold to the Strand. Trolley tour tickets are $12 to $20.

Marietta Trolley Company owner Cassandra Buckalew said a partnership with the Strand was natural, since they consider the theater a neighbor and an essential part of the revitalization of the Square. Despite the severe weather forecast, Buckalew still hopes for a strong turnout.

Carol Ann King of Marietta, a Strand season-ticket holder, plans to attend both tonight and Saturday night. As a teenager, King went to movies at the Strand, and this last year has brought back many fun memories for her.

"It has just been so great to see the old Square come to life," King said. "And to see what it (the Strand) has done for all the businesses in the Square."

Larry Davis, a longtime Marietta resident and Strand supporter, is set to open on the organ for Sunday's show and will be attending all of the events throughout the weekend with his wife, Karen. Davis, secretary of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, is particularly interested in Friday night's silent film and organ accompaniment, since his organization was responsible for bringing the organ to the Strand.

Davis said he is also intrigued by the film's historical significance. "The General," featuring Buster Keaton, is about the famous locomotive chase that began just a few feet away from the theater.

Amid all the celebrations, Rosell said the main goal is to emphasize the Strand's success and gratitude for the community. In the last year the Strand has been home to more than 500 events - from social gatherings to musical-theater performances by its resident company, the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and many other local performance groups.

The Friends of the Strand group hopes to raise $30,000 from the weekend events to help pay off almost $2 million in construction loans.

Tickets can be purchased through the Strand box office at (770) 293-0080 or online at www.EarlSmithStrand.org. Friday night's movie kicks off the celebration at 7 p.m., and tickets are $7 and $8.

For Saturday night, tickets are $50 for the 8 p.m. show and dessert reception; or $150 for VIP guests, who will enjoy the show from premier seats and a pre-show birthday party at 6:30 p.m. with an open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres.

Sunday's 3 p.m. show will feature performances by groups including Kennesaw State University Dance Company, Cobb County Centre for Excellence in the Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School and Dance Stop Studio.