Summer movies continue in Lorain with round of funding

This summer, children will have the chance once again to catch a movie at the Lorain Palace Theatre for free. On Thursday, Lorain officials and a representative of American Legion Post 30 announced the commitment to bring back the summer movie program. The summer movie program will be made possible, in part, with a $3,000 donation from the American Legion Post 30, said Brandon J. Wysocki, director of youth services and community outreach. "We're trying to support the community in any number of ways," Wysocki said. "This is a matter of kind of place making, of reducing barriers to expanding opportunities for kids and families in the community." Five movies will be shown on weekends between July and the start of September, including "School of Rock," "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and "The Princess Bride." "It's kind of a fun, nostalgic thing," said Chris Pataky, executive director of the Lorain Palace Theatre. Pataky said that many children in Lorain grew up seeing their favorite movies at the historic theater. "The first time I was ever at the Palace was for a summer movie," he said. The Lorain Palace Theatre has stood along Broadway in downtown for generations. For Mayor Jack Bradley, the summer movie program is an opportunity to share a historic aspect of the community with younger children. The summer program — which Bradley said was once popular — was restored through the work of City Council member Victoria Kempton, D-Ward 2. "We didn't have the program for really a long time in the city of Lorain, and the Victoria became a member of City Council," he said. "She started to talk about resurrecting the program." Kempton said the program is an opportunity to expand access to families who may not have the means to go to a movie theater. "It's a wonderful thing," Kempton said. "Kids can come in, families can come in, watch a movie, get a free beverage, get free popcorn and enjoy the Palace Theatre. "Having something to do as a family during this time — and it not being prohibited by cost — I think is absolutely what we need to be doing," she said. Additional information about Lorain's summer movie program can be found atlorainpalace.com. Contact Garrett Looker at glooker@chroniclet.com.