Family movie night just got better with the return of Petal Movies in the Park, a series of free film showings at Hinton Park.
Ron Martin, manager of PartyBox Rentals in Petal, is bringing his 32-foot inflatable movie screen to show four films throughout the month of June: “The Greatest Showman” on June 2, “Ferdinand” on June 9, “Lego Batman” on June 16 and the 2017 version of “Beauty and the Beast” on June 23.
All movies start at 5 p.m. at Hinton Park, behind Petal Civic Center on South Main Street.
“I’ve got a couple of daughters of my own, and Petal is an amazing place to raise a family – it has been the whole time I’ve been here,” Martin said. “I want it to continue to be that.
“I think that offering a low-cost family night that you can bring the family to and not spend an arm and a leg, and be able to enjoy yourself in a safe environment, is important to the families. So we’re going to keep doing it as long as we can.”
In addition to the films, Petal Movies in the Park also offers concessions, face-painting and music. For a $5 fee, children can receive an armband to play on various inflatables, including a new system called the Interactive Challenge.
Grub Tubs, trays that movie-goers to hold their food and drink in one hand, also will be available.
“I’m just always trying to make sure we have new, cool things, because in Mississippi a lot of times we get the stigma of being number 50 in a lot of things,” Martin said. “So I try to make sure we have the newer and cooler things that go on the market.”
That includes the 32-foot screen, which to the best of Martin’s knowledge, is the biggest in Mississippi.
“Most screens that you come across, especially rental screens, are 16 to 20 feet,” Martin said. “This one is massive – big, big screen.”
Petal Movies in the Park has hosted summer and winter movie series in previous years, and Martin hopes to do the event again this winter. He’s also considered a Halloween series, although that’s not set in stone.
“The more people we can get out there, the better,” he said.
