Festival 18
Festival 18 was a cinema multiplex located in the Eastwood Festival Centre on Crestwood Boulevard. It was opened by Cobb Theatres as the Cobb Festival 12 on May 24, 1989. The grand opening featured a live remote by I-95's Rick & Bob, appearances by McDonalds' Hamburgler, a skydiving team, and several giveaways and prizes including a six-night trip to Hollywood, California. The opening of the Festival also saw the closing of Cobb's Eastwood Twin and Village East Twin Theatres.
The first movie screened was Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in wide-screen stereo on two screens. Other films on the bill at opening were Road House, Field of Dreams, Pet Sematary, K-9, Major League, Rain Main, Working Girl, Dangerous Liasons, The Rescuers, and The Dream Team.
The theater was expanded to 18 screens in 1994. Cousin Cliff was joined by Hooter's girls, Skydive South aerobats, Gold's Gym aerobicists and a Rock N' Horse karaoke booth for the ribbon-cutting on March 23. The 4,000-seat multiplex boasted three separate concession stands.
It became the Regal Festival 18 when Cobb was taken over on August 1, 1997. Stadium seating was added later. The theater was closed in May, 2006.
In 2010 Naos Entertainment, based in Greenville, announced plans to renovate and reopen as a 12-screen cinema called The Edge, with self-serve drink stations and four 3-D screens.
Opening Night
Wednesday, May 24, 1989
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (7:15, 9:45)
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (7:45, 10:15)
- Road House (7:30, 10:00)
- Field of Dreams (7:30, 10:00)
- Pet Sematary (7:45, 10:15)
- K-9 (7:30, 10:00)
- Major League (7:30, 10:00)
- Rain Man (7:15, 9:45)
- Working Girl (7:45, 10:15)
- Dangerous Liaisons (7:15, 9:45)
- The Rescuers (7:15, 9:00)
- The Dream Team (7:45, 10:15)
References
- "Festival 12 grows to 18 wednesday." (March 22, 1994) Birmingham News
- Alabama listings at cinematour.com
- Evans Criswell. Historical Information:Alabama:Birmingham at Movie Theatre Information.
- Regal Cinemas' company summary report on Cobb takeover
- Bryant, Joseph D. (June 17, 2010) "Closed cinema in Birmingham's Crestwood neighborhood to reopen." Birmingham News