How many times have you loaded up the family to head to Montgomery or Prattville for a movie?

As soon as everyone hits the car it seems like the meter starts running. The round trip will cost $10 or more in gas, for an average family of four, the movie will cost around $50 with tickets and snacks, and if lunch or dinner is in the equation, you can throw in $50 or more.

So, to travel for a two-hour movie, most families are looking at $110. That’s a lot of money to see a movie.

Fear not Selma — help is on the way.

Saturday, Selma families will immediately see relief from these expensive trips when the first movie rolls onto the big screen at the Larry D. Striplin Jr. Performing Arts Center. I have to say, I’ve never been happier to see the Muppets in my life (and I love the Muppets).

This theater is something Selma needed for a long time. Too many tax dollars are going to Prattville and Montgomery, and too many families who can’t afford to drop $110 at any given time are staying at home and missing out on the fun.

Now, the tradition of dinner and a movie can be replaced with dinner and a home-cooked meal for those who need to tighten their budgets. And, for others who do enjoy a nice night out for dinner and a movie, Selma has plenty of great restaurants to keep you home.

The efforts the Jackson family and Selma’s leadership put into this project is amazing. They brought in the latest technology and took no shortcuts.

When you see a movie in Selma, you will get the same experience you would in a larger city.

Everyone that made this possible should be commended for giving the people something they wanted, and desperately needed. It’s important that we all show our appreciation by staying in town and buying tickets.

Saturday will be the theater’s first run; with showings of the latest Muppet movie at 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets will be offered at a special rate of $5. Be sure to come out and show your support.

Those who put the work into this project deserve to see a little kudos from the public.