Clubs saddle up for Dinner and a Movie

Drive-in movies may have disappeared in recent decades, but for one night, guests will swap their cars for golf carts at the Longboat Key Garden Club and Kiwanis Club’s second drive-in Dinner and a Movie event April 30, at the Resort at Longboat Key Club’s Islandside Driving Range.

The event will feature dinner followed by a showing of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

“We wanted to find a movie that would appeal to a sense of nostalgia and a movie both men and women would love,” said Susan Phillips, event chairwoman and Garden Club president. “Everybody has seen the movie, but it’s been 25 years since I’ve seen it. We just thought it was a movie for everyone to come out an enjoy.”

To go with the Western theme of the movie, the two clubs will hold a horseshoe-throwing contest. There will also be a raffle and silent auction.

Last year’s event raised $8,000 and was the first joint fundraiser between the Garden and Kiwanis clubs. Phillips is hoping to raise at least $16,000 this year, and proceeds will go toward the clubs’ various scholarships and grants.

“This truly is just a slice of Americana,” Phillips said. “The drive-in movie, your small town, coming together for just a fun evening out under the stars, beautiful weather, nice friends.”