The change has happened-- Altoona, Pennsylvania is now officially known as POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Pennsylvania, and will be known as such for the next 60 days. The director of the film the town is named after, Morgan Spurlock, was on hand for the ceremony, along with a POM representative and Altoona's mayor. A solid handful of locals turned out for the presentation, which featured free donuts and coffee from another sponsor, Sheetz, a marching band and cheerleaders, and--oh yes-- some protesters.
The kids holding handmade signs in the background of the ceremony were actually pretty peaceful and respectful, and though their signs seemed to suggest they would rather the $25,000 naming fee go to the schools rather than the Altoona police department, they mostly just seemed anti-cop-- you image they've all had their run-ins with the local police in the past. Spurlock acknowledged the protesters from the podium--"That's when you know it's a success"-- and really, given the cheerful and corporate-sponsored nature of the rest of the event, it was nice to see a rogue element tossed in there.
Now it's time for the premiere, held at the Jaffa Shrine, which is outfitted with a red carpet, speakers blasting the "Superman" theme (really) and the miniature pony featured in The Greatest Movie Ever Sold being sassy out front. It's quite a scene. More on all of this to come, plus some conflicted thoughts about my corporate-sponsored trip to Pennsylvania, later tonight when the screening is over.
