It’s been awhile, but the popular — and free — Key West Outdoor Movies are back and better than ever.
Bring your beach chairs, blankets and even the bean bags from your boat to the Parade Grounds at East Martello Museum on Friday, Oct. 13. Settle on the soft grass under the stars and enjoy a free screening of the “Super Mario Bros. Movie” starting at 7 p.m.
The popcorn is free, but donations will benefit the Key West High School video production class, which will also be selling soft drinks and snacks. A few other local food vendors will be on hand for the screening.
The recently renewed Parade Grounds at East Martello offer plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the show.
“We’ll also have a bounce house, some cornhole games and plenty of room for kids to throw a ball or play Frisbee before the movie starts,” said organizer Jason Hoegle, who helped start KWOM at Bayview Park with Scott Gerke in 2014.
The outdoor movies quickly became a beloved monthly event.
The arrival of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and COVID in 2020 put the program on hiatus — until now.
Hoegle has now partnered with the Key West Art & Historical Society and is still accepting local sponsors to continue to expand the program.
“We’re going to do the movies the first and third Friday of every month,” Hoegle said. “We’re starting this first one a week late on Oct. 13, but from then on, it’ll be the first and third Friday at 7 p.m.”
Hoegle will choose about half of the season’s movies, but will enable the community to vote on the others through the Key West Outdoor Movies Facebook page. Votes are currently being accepted for the Halloween-themed screening on Oct. 20. Options include: “COCO,” “Beetlejuice,” “Hocus Pocus 2,” “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania,” and a fan favorite, the original 1994 “Ghostbusters.”
Other movies will be selected based on a monthly theme, Hoegle said, adding that April will likely feature “The Lorax” or “Finding Nemo” in tribute to Earth Day.
“While I’ll always let the community pick most of the movies, there are a few I’ll absolutely insist on showing — “The Goonies” and “The Princess Bride” — those are two great nostalgic ones for the parents who grew up in the ’80s.”
All movies are family-friendly and screenings will take place October through May.
“We’re thrilled to have partnered with the Key West Art & Historical Society,” Hoegle said. “East Martello Parade Grounds is right on South Roosevelt Boulevard, making it easily accessible for everyone in New Town and Stock Island.”
More information is at kwoutdoormovies.com or on Facebook.
