On this date in 1953, thousands of children packed Fargo’s theaters for an all-day free movie jamboree while their parents filled local stores with heavy shopping.

Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:

Fargo theaters were filled to capacity for the free movie jamboree Friday as an estimated 15,000 youngsters, including “repeaters,” attended free shows at six theaters.

The six theaters with a combined capacity of 3,999 were filled for each of the four showings from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Some youngsters managed to attend more than one show and a few of the more fleet-footed fans were reported to have seen as many as four different features during the day.

Meanwhile, merchants reported heavy business as parents and other family members shopped while the younger set

See Full Page