by Emily Freehling

It’s nice when things are simple, and when it comes to planning entertainment that’s fun for the entire family, nothing could be simpler than Paragon Village, located next to the Spotsylvania Towne Centre. Paragon Village is your one-stop shop for hours of fun, with 12 auditoriums featuring electric recliners, an attached 16-lane luxury bowling alley, arcade and restaurant. We are pleased to have District Manager John Andel from Paragon Village as our September Expert. Be sure to look for his Facebook Live interview on the Fredericksburg Parent and Family Facebook page later this month.

Q: There are so many options for entertainment these days—what makes a night out at the movies a great family activity, and what is Paragon’s vision for what that experience should be like?

“Family time” is so important and sharing a passion for movies is an activity that can start young and continue through the teen years, and even adulthood! At Paragon Village, we hope that a family will come and see a movie, and then stay and have lunch or dinner while bowling a few games. That’s the ultimate family-fun day.

Q: Technology is ever-changing in the entertainment industry. Are there aspects of the Paragon Village experience that are especially state-of-the-art?

All of our auditoriums feature reserved electric reclining seats with footrests, and our Extreme Theater has a 66-foot screen, laser projection, and Dolby Atmos sound. Our Extreme Theater is bigger and better than IMAX.

Q: Is Paragon Village friendly to families and children with special needs?

We have monthly sensory-friendly screenings that cater to anyone who is sensitive to dark theaters or loud sounds. These are also perfect for first-time movie-goers. Other guests understand that a child attending these screenings might not be able to sit still for the entire movie. Our next showings are:

• ABOMINABLE on Saturday, September 28 at 10 a.m. • THE ADDAMS FAMILY HALLOWEEN on Saturday, October 12 at 10 a.m.

Q: Are there any special discounts or events that families looking for a value should know about?

Every Tuesday all movies are just $6 (upcharge for Extreme or 3D). We run Free Kids’ Movies each summer from June through early August. We also have a great promotion in our restaurant—present your kid’s movie ticket stub when you purchase two entrees at menu price and receive a free cheese pizza. We always post our current special offers at paragontheaters.com/promotions.

Q: Let’s not forget about date night. How can parents make the most of babysitter nights with a trip to Paragon Village?

Parents will want to check out our VIP Premier 21-and-older section. In this exclusive balcony area, you’ll find ultra-luxury recliners that have limitless reclining positions. You can even bring your appetizers, beer and wine in from the Chatterbox Lounge and enjoy them with your movie. We’ve got tray tables on every seat to make the experience extra comfortable. The Chatterbox Lounge, in our exclusive upstairs area, is also great for pre-movie dining. The menu features sushi, sliders and flatbreads, which is great for couples who can’t decide on one cuisine, and you never have to worry about missing the show—you’re right there and your server will ask what show you’re seeing!

 

Q: Child-focused organizations are always looking for new fundraising opportunities. Does Paragon Village offer any community fundraising programs?

Yes, we have a fantastic fundraising program that allows schools, sports teams and nonprofits to raise money for their organization. They can either sell tickets (like a cookie dough fundraiser, but movie tickets instead!) or host a fundraiser screening on a specific date. This is fun because it can serve as both a fundraising opportunity and a fun spirit-building event for your group. More information is at paragontheaters.com/fundraising or email [email protected].

Q: Can you tell us about some fall movies coming to Paragon Village 12 that might be especially good for a family movie outing?

ABOMINABLE (out Sept. 27), from DreamWorks Animation, tells the story of a Yeti who loses his way and ends up on the roof of the apartment building of a teenager in Shanghai. The teen and her friends go on an epic journey to reunite the Yeti with his family at the highest point on earth.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY (out Oct. 12) brings this classic comedy-horror family to life in animation. Parents will note stars Charlize Theron as Morticia Addams and Bette Midler as Grandmama.

In MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (out Oct. 18), Disney returns to its classic story of Sleeping Beauty with a tale that picks up a few years after the 2014 film MALEFICENT. With Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, this movie brings Maleficent and Aurora together to work against new threats to peace in their world.

Q: What are some ways families can turn a movie night into a really memorable family experience?

The best way to make it a truly memorable experience is to enhance it with time together after the film, even if it’s just for a meal at our restaurant or one of the others in the Village at Towne Centre, so that you can each share your thoughts on the movie. Some movies lend themselves to wearing costumes and taking fun family photos. You might also consider doing a fun family trivia game after the movie. There are lots of activity sheets, too, that you can find that pertain to the movie. Maybe you invite their friends and have activities and even movie-themed snacks at your house after the movie.

Q: How old should my child be before he/she goes to the movies with friends alone?

When to send your child to the movies with their friends alone is definitely a personal decision that varies depending on the family and the content of the movie. We encourage families to visit https://www.filmratings.com/Tips to learn more about movie ratings, and how to be “screenwise.”

Paragon Village 51 Towne Centre Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA 22407 540-785-7328 Paragontheaters.com

Do you have questions for Paragon Village? Be sure to watch our Facebook Live interview this month! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for information and updates.