The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of Fourth of July festivities, including the Homewood parade and the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District’s Family Fun Fest, but the two agencies, in collaboration with the village of Flossmoor and Homewood-Flossmoor High School, filled the gap with the “Quarantine Cinema” drive-in movie.
Homewood Events Manager Allisa Opyd said more than 90 cars filled with family and friends attended the event, which was sponsored by local realtor Ron Wexler.
“As a community, and a nation, we’ve endured so many changes over the last few months,” said Debbie Kopas, park district executive director. “Overall, it felt like things just kept being taken away, so we were looking for a way to adapt to this new environment, but still provide the community with something fun to do.”
In addition to the film, “School of Rock,” the audience saw a series of quarantine-themed music videos produced by Homewood documentary filmmaker Anne Colton. Both villages and the park district also showed historic photos from past Fourth of July celebrations.
“Everyone who attended seemed so happy and appreciative. People just seemed to enjoy being out, together, but still physically distanced,” Kopas said. “It was great working in collaboration with the other agencies. We’re already brainstorming what we can do together in the future.”