CORNING — Join Corning residents in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Johnny Carson’s birth. The home in which Johnny Carson was born has been restored to the era of his birth, Oct. 23, 1925, by the Johnny Carson Birthplace Society (JCBS), which is hosting the event.
The celebration begins from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 23, at the birthplace home, 500 13th St., in Corning, with an open house, a birthday cake and a very special guest. Pete Petrashek, a friend and co-worker from Johnny’s early years at WOW-TV, will be there to interact with birthplace visitors. Carson and Patrashek were both magicians, as well as pioneers in the early television industry and remained friends until Carson’s death in 2005.
The celebration continues with two big events on Saturday, Oct. 24. Reflecting Johnny’s interest in vintage cars, the JCBS is sponsoring the first annual Johnny Carson Birthplace Car Show at Central Park in downtown Corning, with registration of cars from 9:30 am. to noon. Spectator voting will be from noon to 1:30 p.m., with awards being handed out at 2:30 p.m. The birthplace home will welcome visitors with tours from noon to 5 p.m.
On Saturday evening, the JCBS will team up with the Corning Opera House (the restored 1902 theater) as regional talent performs in a "Tonight Show" styled event with Carson and McMahon impersonators on hand to keep the show moving forward. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.corningoperahouse.com or at the door.
Corning is located about 90 minutes from Omaha and Des Moines and 120 minutes from Kansas City. To learn more about Carson's hometown, a Main Street Iowa community, other attractions, recreational opportunities, unique shopping and more, visit the community website at www.adamscountyiowa.com.