Downtown movie theater opens Friday

Downtown's new first-run movie theater and anchor of the long-awaited College Station development will open its doors to moviegoers on Friday.

Hollywood Theaters College Station Stadium 14 comprises about 48,000 square feet with nearly 2,000 seats for its 14 screens. Auditoriums feature DLP Cinema digital projection, 35mm film and 3-D technology.

The theater's grand-opening celebration will include a "red-carpet" event 6-8 p.m. Friday, with limousines, paparazzi, impersonators, music deejays and prizes. The first 500 patrons will receive a free T-shirt for "Role Models," which opens Friday.

Saturday is Family Day, with face-painting 1-4 p.m., autographs by Springfield Cardinals mascot Louie 2-3 p.m., and gifts from Vitaminwater 1-5 p.m. The first 1,000 patrons will receive a free poster for "Madagascar 2," which also starts Friday.

On Sunday, the first 1,000 patrons will receive a free Reese's Peanut Butter Cup and a Madagascar 2 poster.

During the entire weekend, there will be drawings for free season passes and $1 popcorn, with all proceeds going to The Kitchen.

Parking fees at the nearby College Station and Heer's car parks are in effect from Friday evenings to Sunday mornings, but theater patrons can receive free parking validation by bringing their garage tickets to the theater.

Oregon-based Hollywood Theaters operates more than 500 screens in 20 states.[[In-content Ad]]