Movie nights come to Veterans Memorial Park

By Erin Dostal (contact)

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 | 1:55 a.m.

A few weeks ago, Rob Fox had to close down his movie theater at the Hacienda hotel-casino near Boulder City.

But he’s still helping local residents enjoy movies.

Fox, whose Hacienda Cinemas on U.S. 93 showed its last film, “9,” on Oct. 8, will be lending his outdoor movie equipment – including a high-tech sound system and a nearly four-story-tall screen, to the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce so it can put on its first-ever “Movies in the Park” event on Halloween.

The Chamber chose to show the live-action version of “Casper,” for the event.

Fox said that he had to close down his newly renovated theater because there simply weren’t enough customers to keep it open. The cinema had only been open for about six months before closing.

“A business without business is destined to close,” he said.

Fox also though that the location – near a hill and lots of traffic – could have also contributed to its downfall.

Jill Lagan, chief executive of the Chamber and coordinator of the Halloween event, said she hopes to make it a regular one with showings four times a year at Veterans Memorial Park: twice in the fall, and twice during the spring.

The group began planning the event about three months ago – long before the theater closed. But the closing of the cinemas brings a new aspect to the event as Boulder City no longer has a movie theater.

“This kind of fills the gap until we’re able to get a new theater,” Lagan said.

Fox said he thought the movie nights were a great idea.

“It’s much more accessible,” he said. “At this time, if they want to see a movie, they’re going to have to leave the city.”

The Movies in the Park nights will feature more than films. On Oct. 31, the evening will begin with “trunk-or-treating” at 7 p.m., an alternative to trick-or-treating where kids go from car to car at the park.

The event will also feature bounce houses, including a medieval castle and an obstacle course, for kids to enjoy before the film.

Although dates for future movie nights have not been set, Lagan said she hopes to show “Grease” in the spring, along with a sock-hop event.

Parking for the event opens at 5 p.m. The movie starts at 8 p.m.

Admission to the event is $10 per car, and patrons “can load the car with as many people as they want,” Lagan said.

“We will have hot chocolate and popcorn and glow necklaces and stuff like that,” she said. “We wanted to have something to entertain everybody.”