Flicks on the Field to show Kung Fu Panda 3 and four others this year

Through the five Saturdays in April, Commissioner Jayer Williamson's Flicks on the Field event returns bringing family friendly films in an outdoor theater setting.

Picnics and popcorn will be welcome at 3536 Limbaugh Lane, the PARA Football Field off Woodbine, next month for the 2016 Flicks on the Field event. Pace residents, and anyone else who wants to go, can experience a repeat of a popular event put on by the Santa Rosa County Commission every weekend in April. Families will be able to watch movies for all to enjoy on a 43-foot screen from Southern Outdoor Cinema.

Commissioner Jayer Williamson has been active on social media promoting the event approved by the Board of County Commissioners back in January. The notable difference this year is the number of movies. With five Saturdays in the month, there will be five movies this year instead of four. Williamson noted during the January 11 commission meeting, he moved the event to April to avoid the chilly temperatures attendees experienced last March.

While popular last year, Williamson tweeted February 6, “Can’t wait for even larger crowds this year. Every Saturday in April, please go like the Flicks on the Field,” and included a link to a Flicks on the Field Facebook page.

Not in any particular order, four of the movies will be Minions, The Good Dinosaur, Jurassic World, and The Peanuts Movie. The fifth movie, Kung Fu Panda 3 today (March 1) is still in theaters. Williamson said Kung Fu Panda 3 is tentatively scheduled to show first, but the date may change depending on when it leaves the theater. 

The proceeds from this year's Flicks, Williamson said, will all go the Benny Russell Park Foundation. "Some will help with the ADA portion of the park expansion; some will help with the walking trail," he said, as well as other expansions at the park.

Last year, Williamson said the event drew 350 to 400 for two to three of the nights and one close to 500. One night's attendance was small due to the weather, the reason behind bumping it to April this year. 

For those who haven't gone, in addition to viewing a movie on a 40-foot screen, Williamson said the sound quality is very high. "You can sit anywhere on the football field and still hear it. We have small children and had to sit midfield," he said, because it was loud within 20 yards of the screen. 

Again, the PARA Football Field is located at 3536 Limbaugh Lane, off Woodbine.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Flicks on the Field to show Kung Fu Panda 3 and four others this year