By Sue Wolfe
Kent Theatre Board Members, consisting of Len Allington, Mark Wellman, Mary Randall, Sally Grayvold, Nancy Noreen, Mary Balone, and Perry Hopkins are excited to announce a month of free movies for all.
They have been searching for ways to serve the Cedar Springs Area Community after state guidelines recently allowed them to reopen their theatre doors.
Board Trustee Perry Hopkins led the charge in securing enough donations thus far to provide free movies through November. Additional funding is needed for this opportunity to extend through December. This goal was reached by the generosity of area organizations to include En Gedi, City Impact, Perry’s Place, Kin of Hope Natural Health, C.S. Prayer Warriors, and other individuals who wish to remain anonymous.
Funds garnered will cover the mandatory movie owner fees along with covering the basic theatre operational costs. State safety guidelines limit all theaters to a 20 percent capacity or 50 people at the Kent Theatre.
Board Member and Theatre Director, Mark Wellman, has spent many hours consulting with the Health Department to ensure events will be CDC compliant and satisfy the board’s commitment to keeping everyone one safe.
Hopkins noted, “We have seating rows blocked off to help social distancing and markers on the floor upfront to help with the 6ft rule for concessions. Signs are up for wearing masks. We are limited to 50 people per showing. Our board wants to give community members a fun and safe form of entertainment during these challenging times.”
Pending any new government or Health Department limitations, the following family-friendly movies are scheduled to be shown in November starting this weekend:
A League of Their Own
Heaven is For Real
Stand By Me
Polar Express
Normal November weekend movie times are Fridays 6 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 & 6 pm.
Presales are available through Facebook Messenger. Otherwise, it is first come first serve until 50 people have been admitted free of charge. Concessions will be open.
