The Willows Theatre announced an innovative idea in late April. They offered a free performance of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown by the Willows Theatre Company to students in grade K-8. Immediately after, the phones at The County Connection started ringing.
The County Connection was able to transport 163 students, plus their chaperones for free over the four performances on May 17 and 18, though their Class Pass Program. The students boarded the bus at stops near their schools and rode to the Martinez Amtrak Station and then walked to the John Muir Amphitheatre at the Martinez Marina. There was even free milk and cookies after each performance provided by The Willows Theatre Company.
“Our second graders are so appreciative of the bus pass allowed to us for our end of the year picnic and play performance. The children are confirmed bus riders by now and very interested in reading the route numbers and your schedules. (So many lesson ideas!) The play, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, was fantastic,” said Carol Davis, John Muir Elementary School.
Miss Neely’s class from John Swett Elementary in Martinez cheered when asked how they liked the show. The cheer was just as loud when asked how they liked the bus.
County Connection operates a fleet of 29 ft., 35 ft., and 40 ft. fully accessible fixed-route buses, and a fleet of 63 paratransit vehicles, carrying nearly 5,000,000 passengers each year. For more information on the Class Pass Program call 676-7500.