By Glen Atwell
CRANBOURNE Chamber of Commerce will host an open-air cinema in the car park of the Cranbourne Racecourse in early October, and expects it to become a popular annual event.
The outdoor screening of a recently released movie will bring Hollywood to Cranbourne in the evening on Saturday 4 October, the same day as the Grand Prix Wave Off.
Last week at the chamber’s quarterly dinner, more than 30 local businesses signed on to sponsor the community event, which will be held free of charge.
The outdoor cinema will form part of a big weekend for Cranbourne traders, with a Friday Super Sale organised for 3 October, the day before the Grand Prix Wave Off, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the area.
Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce president Lisa Saint-John told the dinner that the event had the potential to become a community-building activity.
“We’ll be showing a family-friendly movie at a time convenient for local families,” she said.
“It’s a perfect opportunity to capture the GP Wave Off crowd and encourage visitors to stay in Cranbourne a little longer.”
Cranbourne Turf Club chief executive Neil Bainbridge also spoke in favour of the screening, which will be hosted by the racecourse.
“It’s an exciting, first-time event to be a part of and the racing centre is keen to be involved,” he said.
The outdoor screening is expected to cost $1900, and Ms Saint-John said any additional revenue would be poured into a local charity.
“Each year we will look at supporting a different local charity, and all proceeds can flow back into the community,” she said.