Round Ireland With a Fridge Draws a Crowd

The Freehold Borough Arts Council (FBAC) had to do some last minute scrambling before the screening of Round Ireland With a Fridge at the American Hotel Friday night. The reason? A much larger than expected turnout for the newly formed organization’s second event. Over 200 residents attended the film premiere. The staff at the American Hotel rolled in dozens of chairs to provide more seating for the enthusiastic crowd.

Before the feature film, the audience watched short films provided Irish Film Institute, Reel Ireland and Culture Ireland. Tony Hawks, the author of the book Round Ireland With a Fridge and the movie’s star, joined the Freehold crowd from England via Skype before and after the film.

Round Ireland With a Fridge begins after a night of drinking when Hawks accepts a bet that he cannot hitchhike the perimeter of Ireland with a refrigerator. Along the way, Hawks meets interesting personalities and learns something about himself.

The sponsors for the benefit film screening were area businesses including Old Monmouth Candies; Minerva Audio Visual, which provided the equipment for the screening; Avatar Spa; Stillwell House Antiques; and the law offices of Raymond A. Raya.

Neal Girandola, president of the arts council, said the group will hold its next fundraising event on Wednesday, March 23 at the Court Jester. Diners at the restaurant can present a coupon to their server to have 10 percent of the cost of their meal donated to FBAC.