Ohio Goes to the Movies Grand Finale Brings Baseball History to the Big Screen at the Historic Strand Theatre
DELAWARE, OHIO (September 15, 2026) – The final curtain is about to fall on one of Ohio’s most ambitious statewide celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary in grand fashion. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the historic Strand Theatre in downtown Delaware will host the Ohio Goes to the Movies Grand Finale, closing an unprecedented 250-day cinematic journey that brought more than 250 free movie screenings to all 88 Ohio counties as part of America 250-Ohio. The statewide initiative has celebrated the remarkable influence Ohioans have had on the American film industry, in front of and behind the camera, through actors, directors, writers, musicians and stories connected to the Buckeye State.
Free tickets are now available and are required (maximum of two tickets per person) at https://strandtheatreoh.com. With seating limited to 440 guests across the theater’s main floor, balcony and side sections, organizers expect tickets to be claimed quickly.
The finale will feature a free screening of the acclaimed 2013 film “42,” the inspiring story of Jackie Robinson and his historic breakthrough as Major League Baseball’s first Black player. Directed by Brian Helgeland, the film stars the late Chadwick Boseman as Robinson and Harrison Ford as legendary baseball executive Branch Rickey, whose courage and vision helped forever change America’s pastime. Rickey was born in Stockdale, Ohio, and attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, where he also coached baseball.
Following the film, audiences will experience a panel conversation featuring:
- Branch Rickey III, grandson of the Hall of Fame executive who signed Robinson
- Larry Doby Jr., son of Larry Doby, the first Black player in the American League
- Marty Brennaman, legendary Cincinnati Reds broadcaster
- Sidney Carlson White, Assistant Curator at the Jackie Robinson Museum
The discussion will be moderated by baseball historian Dr. Leslie Heaphy of Kent State University, offering unique personal perspectives on two pioneers who transformed professional sports and American history.
“Our Ohio Goes to the Movies Grand Finale is expected to be one of the signature events of the entire series,” said Molly Kreuzman, program director of Ohio Goes to the Movies. “The Strand Theatre, one of the nation’s longest continuously operating movie theaters, provides a fitting setting to conclude a statewide celebration dedicated to preserving Ohio’s cinematic heritage while commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.”
EVENT DETAILS
Ohio Goes to the Movies Grand Finale featuring “42”
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026
The Strand Theatre
28 E. Winter St., Delaware, Ohio 43015
Schedule
- 5:00 p.m. Doors open
- 6:00 p.m. Screening of “42”
- 8:15 p.m. Panel discussion featuring Branch Rickey III, Larry Doby Jr., Marty Brennaman, Sidney Carlson White, moderated by Dr. Leslie Heaphy
Tickets: Free with advance reservations at the Strand Theatre website (maximum of two tickets per person).
For more information about the statewide Ohio Goes to the Movies celebration, visit Ohio Goes to the Movies.
About The Panelists
Branch Rickey III
Branch Rickey III is the grandson of Hall of Fame baseball executive Branch Rickey, whose signing of Jackie Robinson forever changed Major League Baseball and American history. A lifelong steward of his family’s legacy, Rickey III has dedicated his career to preserving and sharing the story of leadership, courage and inclusion that began when his grandfather broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947. He is a sought-after speaker on baseball history, ethics and the enduring impact of Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey.
Larry Doby Jr.
Larry Doby Jr. is the son of Hall of Famer Larry Doby, who became the first Black player in the American League when he joined the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) just weeks after Jackie Robinson’s Major League debut. Doby Jr. continues his father’s legacy by speaking nationally about perseverance, equality and the role sports can play in advancing social progress. His work helps preserve the remarkable story of one of baseball’s most influential pioneers.
Marty Brennaman
Marty Brennaman is one of baseball’s most celebrated broadcasters, serving as the radio voice of the Cincinnati Reds for 46 seasons from 1974 through 2019. A recipient of the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award, Brennaman is widely respected for his storytelling, candor and deep knowledge of the game. His career has connected generations of fans to baseball’s greatest moments and its rich history.
Sidney Carlson White
Sidney Carlson White is the assistant curator at the Jackie Robinson Museum, where he helps preserve and interpret the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson through exhibitions, artifacts and educational programming. A historian with a passion for civil rights, sports and American history, White played an integral role in developing the museum’s exhibits, helping visitors understand Robinson’s impact not only as a baseball pioneer but also as a champion for racial, social and economic justice. He regularly leads tours and public programs that connect Robinson’s enduring legacy with contemporary conversations about equality and opportunity.
Dr. Leslie Heaphy (Moderator)
Dr. Leslie Heaphy is a professor of history at Kent State University at Stark and one of the nation’s leading historians of baseball and the Negro Leagues. She has authored and edited numerous books on baseball history, women in baseball and the Negro Leagues, and is recognized for her scholarship on the intersection of sports and civil rights. Dr. Heaphy frequently appears as a speaker and commentator on baseball history and serves as moderator for the evening’s discussion.
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Media Contacts:
Jackie Reau, Game Day, 513-708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com
Betty Weibel, Yopko Penhallurick, 216-956-4034 | bw@yp-pr.com
Photos and Interviews Available Upon Request