On Feb. 15, my friends and I were happy to return to the Marquee Cinemas so that we could attend our second promotional event for the theater spotlighting the fantasy adventure film, “The Spiderwick Chronicles.” In an interview with general manager Jayson Wickard and assistant manager Gina Hamilton, I learned of the marketing efforts they exerted to promote the event. Hamilton’s duties included contacting area businesses to join them at the theater. She recruited Chapters Bookstore of Galax, who donated the five-volume series of “The Spiderwick Chronicles” books, on which the film was based, for a giveaway drawing. McDonald’s fast food restaurant of Wytheville also donated 20 complete sets of “The Spiderwick Chronicles” Happy Meal toys for the drawing. Representatives from the Wythe County Public Library were also present with a display specifically geared toward “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” which designed to help promote reading among local children and teenagers. The Marquee Cinemas was happy to welcome back Brandon Owen who, through his own business called Clownin’ Around, showcases himself as a very talented one-man circus performer. “We’ve had a lot of continued compliments from patrons concerning Brandon,” Wickard said. Also making a reprise appearance at the theater was Kerry Buckler of Art-Rageous, Incorporated, which is located in Wytheville and specializes in face painting. Buckler also donated two hand-painted ceramic pieces for the theater giveaway. “Kerry is an amazingly talented artist who could paint anything you asked her to,” Hamilton stated.
