The Pat Thomas Stadium will become a family-friend spot to take in dinner and a movie with the return of Leesburg’s Home Run Flicks series on Oct. 30.
Maggie Lyden, City of Leesburg special events manager, said hosting the free movie night at a ballpark felt like a “home run” idea.
“Guests love being able to walk right out on to the baseball field, allowing their kids to move around instead of just sitting in a seat,” she said. “Plus, you can bring blankets and chairs while you relax and enjoy the movie.”
The series’ first showtime will be a screening of the film “Hocus Pocus” in celebration of Halloween. The series originally was scheduled to start Oct. 2, but was delayed due to rainy weather. Lyden said the movies scheduled for the rest of the year will be themed around upcoming holidays, including “Coco” on Nov. 6 and “Elf” on Dec. 4.
Dustin Boise, of Leesburg, has attended past Home Run Flicks movie nights with his daughters and they had a “great time.”
“We spread out our blankets; the kids were running around and enjoying themselves, and we made more than a few trips to the concession stand,” he said. “It had a relaxed, community feel.”
Money raised through the concession stand, which serves family-friendly fare including hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken chili, snacks and drinks, will benefit the Leesburg Arts Center. Boise, board of directors member for the Leesburg Arts Center, said the partnership is meaningful because it brings the community together while also supporting another organization devoted to creating experiences for that same community.
“The Arts Center is not simply a gallery or a place where classes happen,” he said. “It is a community space where children and adults can discover something creative, learn a new skill, local artists can share their work and families can experience the arts together.”
Boise said community support is essential for the center, with staff always thinking of how to transform that support into impact.
“That is why something as simple as buying concessions at Home Run Flicks matters,” he said. One purchase may feel small on its own, but when hundreds of community members participate, those dollars become classes, supplies, exhibitions and opportunities for people to engage with the arts.”
Lyden advises those interested in attending the movie nights to arrive early, grab their snacks from the concession stand and get cozy.
“We’ve got plenty of space at the stadium,” she said. “We would advise arriving 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time to pick your spot and hit the concession stand.”
For more information, visit leesburgflorida.gov.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
