A crowd of nearly 500 spread out on the Port Isabel Lighthouse park ground to enjoy the debut performance of the LHE Cinema on Friday, July 1st. “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” was received with enthusiasm and many came early and to choose their best seats and ended the festivities with a round of applause. Admission was free and concessions were provided by the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation, the Laguna Madre Boys & Girls Club, the Friends of the Port Isabel Public Library and the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce.

Previews with a slide show of vintage South Padre Island and Port Isabel postcards were featured along with sponsor information. While parents staked out the best seats, children rolled down the lighthouse hill. The conical tower made an ideal outdoor projection screen as spectators were able to enjoy a 20 x 12’ viewing area.

BACKGROUND
A century after the tower closes as a navigational beacon; we celebrate the continuing attraction of the Point Isabel Lighthouse! Now the visitor can experience the beauty of the stark white tower in a brand new way as the City of Port Isabel extends an invitation to the debut of Lighthouse Establishment Cinema.

LHE Cinema takes its inspiration from the Light House Establishment as they were in charge of ‘keeping’ the lighthouse to ensure navigational traffic passed safely to the Port of Port Isabel, the Port of Matamoros and north to New Orleans.

LHE Cinema promises to offer the visitor and local a unique experience as movies are projected on the side of the Port Isabel Lighthouse. Debuting during July 4th celebrations in 2005, LHE Cinema will be free to the public who are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, find a place on the hill at the lighthouse and enjoy a movie under the stars and the watchful lantern room of the lighthouse.

Concessions will be available. Proceeds will go to the preservation of the past for our present and future generations through art, education and culture.