‘Walking Home,’ A Ryan Leighton film premiere

A story about a father and son, but so much more
Tue, 08/30/2016 - 9:45am

On Thursday, Sept. 8, as part of Harbor Fest 2016, Ryan Leighton and BRCTV will host a happening outside in the parking lot of Camden National Bank in Boothbay Harbor. Beginning at 6 p.m., the event will culminate at the Harbor Theater with the premiere of the documentary film Leighton has been working on for a year and a half, “Walking Home.”

The film stars father and son Steve and Karl Berger, who hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2015. The Bergers started their journey on March 15 at Amicalola Falls at Springer Mountain in Georgia and hiked the entire 2,180 miles, through 14 states, to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. Leighton joined the pair in the spring and hiked alongside them for 480 miles, documenting their journey.

Leighton said the film isn’t limited to just the physical trials and tribulations of a six-month hike.

“It's a story about a father and son, but so much more. It's actually several stories that take place over the course of six months on their journey on the Appalachian Trail.”

And Leighton said the Bergers aren’t the only stars of the film. “We met a lot of characters along the way who contributed to the story.”

On Sept. 8, the parking lot at the Meadow Mall will resemble a giant forest. There will be several tents set up, and cocktails and fabulous food prepared by our best local chefs will be served.

“The parking lot will be transformed into the Appalachian Trail.” Leighton said. “You won't even know you're in a parking lot.”

After food and drinks, at around 8 p.m. Leighton and the Bergers will lead people to the Harbor Theater, where the 40-minute premiere screening of the documentary will be shown.

The Boothbay Region Harbor Fest website, which features a preview of the film, had this to say: “The only event of its kind in our region, the BRCTV Film Festival promises to deliver an evening of locally produced, world class talent. The Premiere of ‘Walking Home’ will take you on a wild adventure, through the lens of BRCTV film producer, Ryan Leighton.”

“We hope everybody can make it,” Leighton said. “I'm very proud to be premiering this film. It's my first documentary, and it's going to be a lot of fun.”

Tickets are on sale at HarborFest.com, the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, the Boothbay Area Region Chamber of Commerce, and at the Channel 7 station at the YMCA. All proceeds will benefit Boothbay Region Community Television. Tickets are $75.

Camden National Bank is sponsoring the event.

For more information, go to www.boothbayharborfest.com.