Movies in the Park returns to Marysville

Marysville’s free Movies in the Park program will return beginning July 24 and run through Aug. 14.

The family films are presented on an inflatable screen at Jennings Memorial Park.

“We’re exciting to do four movies this year,” said Chris Taylor, cultural arts supervisor for the city of Marysville’s Parks, Culture and Recreation Department.

The films begin when it is sufficiently dark.

Taylor said, “9 p.m. is our goal and hopefully it will get nice and dark around that time."

The city invites families to enjoy the park and the movies this summer, after they were not able to hold the program last year.

“Come out, bring a blanket and something to snack on to the park and enjoy a movie,” said Taylor. “It’s kind of like a drive-in movie without the cars."

Families typically enjoy the chance to get outside and watch a film together.

“People like the opportunity to get outdoors, get some fresh air and watch a family movie,” said Taylor.

Taylor said they often have a tie-in theme for each film.

On July 24, they will screen “A Dog’s Journey.”

On July 31 the “Sonic the Hedgehog” film will be presented. That was originally timed to coincide with the release of the PS5 last year with video-game themed giveaways, but that screening had to be canceled.

“So I’m a little late to the party on this one,” said Taylor.

On Aug. 7 the disaster film “San Andreas” will be shown and presented by the Risk Management Department of the city to encourage proper disaster management.

On Aug. 14 “Frozen 2” will be shown. That showing was meant to tie-in with the typically hottest part of the summer, although Taylor admits with the recent historic heat wave that the heat in August may not seem so bad.

There will be no popcorn vendor during this summer’s program.

“We weren’t able to find the manpower for that this year,” said Taylor.

The other big change is that it will be located different.

“We’re moving the location down closer to the dinosaur playground,” said Taylor, so that the screen will be on a slope and more visible to all people.

“We’re excited to make this change to increase the accessibility of the movies,” he said.

Locals can bring their own blankets or chairs to sit in. There will be a special section for chairs so that they are not blocking the sightlines of people behind them.

After more than a year of canceled city events, Taylor said that parks department staff are glad to return.

“We’re sincerely excited to get back to what we feel is normalcy,” he said.

Taylor also wanted to thank this year’s sponsors, Heritage Bank and Lydig Construction.