An outside movie event can be a great idea, but it depends on when you do it. If it’s too early in the year, you might catch one of our really cold weekends. If it’s closer to summer, you risk rain, sweltering heat and more rain.
Did I mention the rain? You have to time things just right.
(Courtesy of Avalon Park West)
Fortunately, this happens to be the right time. The weather is nice, but it’s not too humid yet. And because it’s the right time, Avalon Park West, a community in Wesley Chapel, has a monthly “Movie Under the Stars” series that’s worth checking out.
On the fourth Friday of each month they show a family friendly movie. Last month, it was “Planes,” and on March 27, it will be “The Boxtrolls,” an animated film that was recently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
So you show up and watch a movie. Is that it? Well, not quite. Not only is the movie free (this is “On the Cheap,” so you might have guessed that part) but they serve free popcorn as well. They also have free lemonade and hot cocoa, too. And since it’s out by their pool, you can grab one of the pool chairs, or bring your own chairs or blanket. You can even bring your own cooler, and enjoy snacks and drinks from home.
In other words, no $5 drinks and $6 popcorn like you’ll find at the regular movie theater. You can enjoy some nice weather with family or friends and not spend a lot of money to do it. Technically, you don’t have to spend any money at all. How often can you take the whole family out to an event and not lose a penny? As most of you know, that’s rare. So we need to take advantage of those evenings when we find them.
In case you were wondering, you don’t have to live in Avalon Park West to go. It’s open to everyone. All you have to do is like movies and free things to do. And that covers a lot of us.
Before the movie starts on the blow-up screen, a disc jockey gets the kids ready for the show with some music and dancing. So you might want to show up a little early to get a good spot and enjoy the entertainment before the movie begins. And it doesn’t end too late, so everyone can make their bedtimes, too.
Finding cheap things to do isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. And it’s nice to come across something local that’s completely free all the way around. For children and adults who like animated films, this is a great way to spend a Friday night.
By the way, there are only a couple of dates left before the event takes a break until later in the year. If you can’t make it on March 27, you can try again on April 24 when they show “Big Hero 6.” That movie beat “The Boxtrolls” for Best Animated Feature. Since the next two films were both nominated for Academy Awards, you might want to attend both. It’s the same price, after all: Nothing.
Avalon Park West is located at 5216 Autumn Ridge Drive in Wesley Chapel. For more information, call (813) 783-1515 or visit AvalonParkWest.com.
Published March 25, 2015
