Capitol Theater hosts Olympic watch party for Opening Ceremonies

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Olympic season is here, and the Capitol Theater in Bowling Green decided to host a watch party for the Opening Ceremonies.

The idea came from director Courtney Stevens, who has a special connection to the Olympics.

“She was a torch bearer way back in 2002, and she has a big heart for athletics and community, and she thought it would be a great idea and we just started talking, and it just came on and it came to be… we were very excited about it,” Ashley Fowlkes, the Digital Content Manager for the Warren County Public Library, says.

From elaborate performances to teams making their way down the River Seine on boats to the Olympic torch ceremony, there’s plenty for everyone to see at the Opening Ceremonies, and they don’t have to travel far to see it.

“We were so excited since there was a local NBC affiliate that we can be able to do this and stream it live,” Fowlkes says. “It happens at a different time zone, and not everybody can make it to the Capitol in the afternoon… and it will replay in the evening… but how wonderful to be able to come together with a big group of people, celebrate the world, celebrate this amazing event. We were just so excited to be able to do that.”

For one local resident, after working through every previous one, it’s the first time she’s ever gotten to see the Opening Ceremonies live.

“It has thrilled me,” Terese Fensterer says.  “Just the water ways in Paris and the way this man is jumping from building to building with the torch. I just saw him running on the ground with the torch. I saw bits and pieces in other times of my life, but this summer I actually made the time to come down and do it because of the announcement at the Silver Sneakers program I attend.”

But of course we had to ask what events they’re looking forward to in the Olympics themselves:

“I am a major fan of the gymnastics team,” Fowlkes says. “I watched in back in 84 and I created a scrapbook back in the day. I love diving, I love swimming, and there’s a lot of new events that I really like too… and Simone Biles has been my favorite for years and years… I’m particularly excited to see her perform.”

“I was a timer on the swim team in high school, and I already saw Mr. {Michael} Phelps,” Fensterer says. “They showed him and another gentleman that have won many, many awards and gold medals… and I think they’re having hip hop dancing or something this year… it’s a new category…”