The Excelsior Fire District has had a partnership with the Excelsior Dock Cinema since 1971, Excelsior Real Estate, has been the sponsor since 2005, and the food shelf, ICA has been the beneficiary since 1998. Before Excelsior Real Estate became the sponsor in 2005, for over 30 years the movie was sponsored by an anonymous donator.

When the anonymous donor changed operations in 2004, Excelsior Real Estate came to the rescue and has been the movie sponsor ever since. The young citizens of the Excelsior Fire District have been the guests of the E.F.D. Firefighters at a special screening of children’s movies for almost four decades.

When the partnership was first formed in 1971, the children would simply come to the movie theater on a selected date and get into a kid friendly movie for free. It was only a couple of years after the first free movie started and the firefighters decide to invite old Saint nick himself to greet the kids and give away treats after the movie. In 1997, Sparky, the Fire Dog, joined Santa Claus and the treats were put in bags with fire prevention educational materials and the kids started to receiving the Kid’s Free Movie Grab Bags.

In 2006 local business joined in the fun and began to donate items to be placed in the Kid’s Free Movie Grab Bags.

ICA

In 1998, the Excelsior Fire District started to request non-perishable food items for admission to the movie. The record for cash and pounds of food donated by moviegoers is 664 pounds and $207.50 in funds set in 2008.

The Kids Free Movie has evolved over the years through changes from a free movie for the kids, to a fundraiser and a memorable day in the life of a child.

Movies Shown

• 2010: Toy Story 3
• 2009: "UP"
• 2008: "Kung Fu Panda"
• 2007: "Happy Feet"
• 2006: "Cars"
• 2005: "Shark Tale"
• 2004: "Lion King"
• 2003: "Finding Nemo"
• 2002: "Lilo & Stitch"
• 2000: "Chicken Run"
• 2001: "Shrek"
• 1999: "Tarzan"
• 1998: "Mulan"
• 1997: "Hercules"