DETROIT (WWJ) -- Preparations are well underway for the 8th annual Freep Film Festival.
One of the highlights of this year’s event is a documentary on the infamous Boblo Boats.
“Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale” — narrated by Motown legend Martha Reeves — follows preservationists’ efforts to keep the island park’s ships from going to the scrap heap.
Before Boblo Island was shut down in 1993, thousands of passengers reached the amusement park by riding one of the two steamships -- SS Columbia and Ste Claire -- which was considered a large park of the Boblo experience.
"Interweaving local lore and mythology, 'Boblo Boats' explores the whitewashed history of amusement parks and one crew's crusade to bring back the memories," a synopsis on the website says.
The documentary will premiere at the Redford Theatre on the opening night at Freep Film Festival, which runs from Wednesday, September 22 through Sunday, September 26.
Another highlight of this year’s festival will be a special appearance by actor John Cusack, who will do a live Q&A following a screening of his 1997 film “Gross Pointe Blank” at the Masonic Cathedral Theatre on Saturday, September 25.
Tickets for the festival, which must be purchased in advance, can be found at FreepFilmFestival.com.
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