 "Photo: photo by Ashton McLeod")
 "Photo: photo by Ashton McLeod")
 "Photo: photo by Ashton McLeod")
People of all ages crowded outside the red carpet at Regal Cinemas Hollywood 16 waiting in anticipation for the Travolta family to arrive.
While some came with t-shirts, movies and pictures in hopes of receiving an autograph, others claimed they just wanted to catch a glimpse of the famous family that makes Ocala its home.
On Tuesday, March 30, the Ocala premiere and private screening of “The Last Song” opening in theaters March 31, starring Kelly Preston, took place.
“I love everything about the kind-hearted Travoltas; they’re just wonderful,” said Tyann Dreadin, 49. “When he (John) was on Oprah, I cried for two days.”
While Kelly Preston and the rest of the Travolta clan arrived around 6 p.m., some crowd-goers arrived hours before.
“We decided to make a day out of it,” said Donna Leclair, 59. “We got here at a quarter to 2 and have been anxiously waiting for Kelly, John and their gorgeous daughter ever since.”
With music playing, and a variety of entertainers performing, including dancers from the Performing Arts Conservatory (PAC), Preston and Travolta walked down the red carpet signing, greeting and interacting with fans before a short presentation followed by the screening.
The premiere’s purpose was not only to promote the movie and have an event for Ocala citizens but also to raise money for two charities: The Boy Scouts of Ocala, Fla. Troop 331 and Memories of Missing Smiles, INC. (M.O.M.S.)
The boy scouts are a non-profit organization that offers programs for handicapped citizens of Marion County, Fla., and the M.O.M.S. organization helps families deal with the loss of a child.
Plans are underway to create a community memorial park and reflection pond at Jervey Gantt Park after M.O.M.S. received approval by the Ocala City council on Dec. 15, 2009.
Tickets for the private screening went on sale Monday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at $50 per guest at Easy Street, located at 2727 SW 27th Ave. in Ocala.
With the sales from the tickets in addition to donations, the event raised $20,000 for the charities.
This is the second Ocala private screening and charity fundraiser the Travolta family has been involved in this year.
In February the family did an event for John Travolta’s movie “From Paris with Love”.
The event had several benefactors: law enforcement, fire-rescue agencies, a scholarship fund and M.O.M.S.
$1650 was raised for M.O.M.S. at that event.
John Lipari, a crowd member said, “It’s always a cool thing when John and Kelly come to Ocala to do a public signing and give back to our community.”
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