County Debuts Public Films at Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center
Orange County will host two free holiday film showings at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center on Saturday, November 29, marking the first public event since the county took ownership on November 18. The screenings signal a shift to county stewardship of the venue, an outcome that affects local programming access and raises questions about oversight and long term management.
Orange County is scheduled to present two special holiday movie showings at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center in Chester on Saturday, November 29. The first screening of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer will begin at 2 00 p.m. with doors opening at 1 00 p.m., and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will be shown at 6 00 p.m. with doors opening at 5 00 p.m. The events are free and open to the public and will be the first community gatherings at the theater since the county assumed ownership on November 18.
The performing arts center is located at 231 Creamery Pond Road in Chester. For more information residents may call (845) 208 5554. County officials describe the theatrical program as part of a broader effort to activate the space for public events and community programming under county management. Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said, “This holiday season, we’re thrilled to welcome families to enjoy classic films in a venue that will now serve as a centerpiece for community events. The Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center is now under county ownership and will continue to host public events, performances, and community programs for years to come.”
The transfer of the facility to county ownership this month alters how the venue will be governed and funded. For local residents the immediate impact is expanded access to free cultural programming during the holiday season. Looking ahead the change raises practical governance questions about how the county will manage ongoing operations, allocate budget for maintenance and programming, and incorporate community input into scheduling and uses.
County stewardship can broaden access to arts and civic gatherings, but it also places responsibility on elected officials and administrators to provide transparent reporting on how the center will be funded and programmed. Residents interested in the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center should attend events, contact county offices, and monitor decisions about scheduling and budgets to ensure the venue serves community needs.
