Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice Showing At Old Joliet Prison

JOLIET, IL — In less than three weeks, hundreds of Joliet area residents will be wrapped in blankets and sitting on lawn chairs behind the walls of the Old Joliet Prison listening to Ray Parker Jr. belt out the lyrics to his famous song that goes: "If there's something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!"

In another exclusive, Joliet Patch confirmed Monday that the Joliet Area Historical Museum is hosting Fall Flicks in the Yard with Beetlejuice showing at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 and Ghostbusters at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.

Ghostbusters came out in 1984 while Beetlejuice debuted in 1988.

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"Films will be shown on a four-story outdoor screen inside the walls of the Museum’s Old Joliet Prison Historic Site," the promotion material reads. "In addition to the movies, the evening will include opportunities for self-guided tours throughout the prison, local food vendors, special merchandise, beverage bar, and photo ops."

The Old Joliet Prison is a limestone fortress along Joliet's Collins Street that dates back to its construction in 1858. Tickets to watch Beetlejuice or Ghostbusters behind the walls of the Old Joliet Prison are available for purchase at the museum's website here.

Adhering to strict social distancing guidelines, admission tickets are $50 for two guest circles on the prison lawn. Each additional guest can attend for $20. People can purchase up to six circles per group. Joliet museum director Greg Peerbolte said he was not sure whether tickets will be sold at the gate on the night of shows.

He said the museum is really pushing the online sales to gauge how many people want to attend the Ghostbusters movie as well as Beetlejuice. In all likelihood, each movie will be capped at about 500 to 600 guests, he said.

Peerbolte said the outdoor movie night provides visitors with the chance for a self-guided tour plus the opportunity to step inside some of the 19th century prison buildings.

He also expects to have a Ghostbusters car on the property for photos as well.

"We're all taking a hard hit (during the pandemic with arts and entertainment events) ... we're just looking for creative and safe ways to fundraise," Peerbolte said. "The Blues Brothers movie night, that was certainly successful."

Guests will be allowed to bring their own folding chairs and blankets. Several food vendors will be on site and alcohol will also be available for purchase, he said.

Some of the food vendors will include Life's a Slice Pizza, Popus Gourmet Popcorn and Auntie Anne's Pretzels. The Joliet Area Historical Museum is putting on the event in conjunction with the Rialto Square Theatre, Peerbolte said.

Social distancing is a huge component of the event's success and judging by the success of the Blues Brothers movie night in late August, Peerbolte said he's confident the Oct. 23-24 outdoor moviegoers will have a terrific and memorable time watching Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters.