Austin students host drive-in movie fundraiser this weekend

Brian Todd, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
·2 min read

Feb. 24—AUSTIN — How's this for a venture capital project?

The Mower County CEO Program, a youth entrepreneurship program based in Austin, is hosting two drive-in movie nights this weekend — Friday and Saturday — at Riverland Community College's parking lot.

The movies — "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "The Sandlot" on Friday, and "The Greatest Showman" and "Hidden Figures" on Saturday — will begin at 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday or 8:45 p.m. Saturday.

Emily Hovland, the facilitator for Mower County CEO, which stands for Creating Entrepreneurship Opportunities, said the 21 students in the program this year used social media and discussions with their board to pick the movies, looking for family-friendly films that would cover a variety of tastes from the animated "Chipmunks" to the nostalgia of "The Sandlot," the musical "Showman" and a new classic in "Hidden Figures."

Students apply to enter the program, which is open to high school students from both Austin and Pacelli high schools, and spend the year learning about entrepreneurship from local business leaders.

Ryan Mayers, Austin Public Schools communications coordinator, said the students meet local business leaders and learn how to create and operate their own small business, getting hands-on experience.

Fundraisers, like this weekend's movies, help raise seed money for businesses started by members of the group.

Hovland, who is also a language arts teacher at AHS, said the businesses that will be funded from the event will be showcased at Mower County CEO's trade show — COVID-19 permitting — at the Hormel Historic Home in May.

With 80 parking spaces available in the parking lot where a portable screen will be set up and four shows, the students are hoping to raise about $13,000 this weekend, part of which will pay the costs of putting on the event.

"It's about a couple of thousand dollars," Hovland said. "A lot of the cost is for movie rights."

While the National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wis., is predicting temperatures in the mid-20s for Friday night and mid-teens for Saturday evening, there's also a slight chance of snow.

That, said Hovland, won't stop the movies. Since the event is a drive-in, people will stay warm in their cars and listen to the movie over their radios.

"The kids are working hard at selling those tickets," Hovland said. "It was quite the task at finding an event that's COVID friendly."

Purchase tickets to the drive-in movies

Each movie is $45 per car no matter how many occupants. Prepackaged concessions will be sold at the site. To purchase tickets, go to www.flipcause.com/secure/event_step1/MTA3NzY4.

A sponsor will provide jumper cables in case a car has trouble, and Porta-potties will be available.