BELLINGHAM - A part of the Mount Baker Theatre has been renamed the Harold and Irene Walton Theatre after their children donated $1 million to the theater's endowment fund.

"It's certainly the largest gift the theater has ever received," said Executive Director Brad Burdick. "It's a significant, generous contribution. We really appreciate what they've done."

The donation actually was made in December 2006, but it was done so anonymously. Now the children - Jerry Walton, Joan Griffith and John Walton - wish to publicly honor their late parents, Burdick said.

That was done Thursday, Aug. 7, with the renaming of the Studio Theatre.

Walton Beverage Co. started in Bellingham in 1931 when Harold Walton, his father and two brothers opened Walton Fruit Co.

The business soon shifted to selling and bottling soda, which was more profitable, and received the franchise for Pepsi-Cola and 7UP in 1935.

For many years, the company operated down the street from Mount Baker Theatre. But the Waltons' ties to the theater started before that, when a persistent Harold finally convinced Irene to go out on a date with him, according to family lore.

Their first date was to the Mount Baker Theatre, where they watched a movie. The high school sweethearts later married.

The Waltons would go on to support the theater through the years, with John Walton twice serving on its board of directors.

Reach Kie Relyea at kie.relyea@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2234.