Blue Wahoos To Host Family Movie Night, Trident Event As Stadium Stays Busy Without Team

By the time Blue Wahoos baseball returns, it will be almost mid-May, the school year will be nearly over and graduations on the horizon.

But the ballpark isn’t sitting idle.

For the first time in three years, Blue Wahoos Stadium on Friday night will host a family movie night, featuring Disney’s animated film, Moana 2, an appearance by team mascot Kazoo, along with trivia games on the videoboard.

That will be followed a couple of private events Saturday, headlined by the Pace High School prom, then on Sunday another public community event, the “Home Sweet Home Block Party” presented by Trident Home Loans and featuring a variety of on-field activities.

It’s all part of seven different stadium events – private and public – during the extended gap in the baseball home schedule. The Blue Wahoos next home series begins on May 13.

“We’re basically taking this two-week break between Blue Wahoos home games to host different events and bring new groups here who want to host private events,” said Shannon Hannah, the Blue Wahoos events manager. “The stadium has become such an in-demand place and we are so grateful for that.

“To be able to say, hey we have this many days available without Blue Wahoos baseball, so let’s try to fill up every date that we can to accommodate as many people as we can.”

The last movie night hosted at the stadium was in 2022. On Friday, Moana 2 will be shown at 6 p.m. on the stadium video board, giving fans the opportunity to enter with a $7 general admission, beginning at 5 p.m. and sit on the outfield area with families to see the movie. No chairs will be permitted.

“Moana is always a fan favorite,” Hannah said. “We will have tropical fun music, an announcer, trivia on the video board, a Blue Wahoos inflatable and concessions for purchase on the concourse.

“We feel like the beginning of May is the perfect time to do another movie night now. This is such a great time of year in Pensacola. The weather is good, we’re at the tail end of the school calendar and people are getting into a summer time mode.”

On Sunday, the Trident event will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with free admission, live music, kickball games, vendor booths and other activities, all presented by Trident Home Loans.

“This is a new event for us,” Hannah said. “It was held downtown at the museum plaza last year and they were looking to expand. We’re excited to provide a space for that and be able to accommodate them.”

In between these two events on Saturday night will be a private event. Pace High will hold its prom at the stadium. It is the first time since 2021, Blue Wahoos Stadium has held a school prom.

Back then, lingering concerns about the coronavirus led to schools seeking outdoor spaces.

“We are hopeful to host more proms in the future,” Hannah said. “It provides a great, safe space. And room to spread out. We are having three level prom (including field) which is very unique and doable.”

WANT TO GO FRIDAY?

WHAT: Blue Wahoos Movie Night

WHEN: Friday, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

WHO: Disney Studios’ Animated Movie, “Moana 2.”

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium

ADMISSION: $7 general admission

FORMAT: Gates open at 5 p.m. No folding or non-folding chairs of any kind, no foldable tents, no food or beverage permitted through the gates. Blankets, pillows are acceptable.

WANT TO GO SUNDAY?

WHAT: Home Sweet Home Block Party

WHO: Presented by Trident Home Loans

WHEN: 2 p.m.-6 p.m.

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium

ADMISSION: Free

FORMAT: Live music, kickball games, vendor booths, other activities