For an estimated 3,000 area children, the Christmas season 70 years ago may have started on Dec.

Monday, December 17, 2001

For an estimated 3,000 area children, the Christmas season 70 years ago may have started on Dec. 18. That’s the date the temperature reached 50 degrees above zero by 2 p.m. And that’s the day 20 Albert lea business firms and the Broadway Theater sponsored special matinees for both the city and country children.

The intention for these free visits to the theater by the children was to allow their parents a few hours of uninterrupted Christmas shopping in the local stores.

This matinee event, which likely featured several cartoons and short comedy films, was divided into two separate shows. The first show at 1 p.m. was intended for the children from the rural areas.