The Parks Department soared Friday night, playing Pixar’s Up in Founders Square for Portage’s first Movie in the Park.
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Park Board President Richard Piazza researched the idea, taking it to Parks Superintendent Jenny Orsburn before the Park Foundation bought an inflatable screen for showing films outdoors.
“I wanted something that was family-friendly and using our parks and getting people out to enjoy the beauty and investments we’ve made,” said Piazza.
Orsburn liked the idea for the same reasons. She also said that the general public has suggested Movies in the Parks to her in the past. Keeping this in mind, the Parks Department sent out an online survey asking what kind of movies people wanted to see.
Up was a classic Disney solution for a first pick, and next week’s Pitch Perfect will introduce “date night” movies.
“We know that families wanted family movies and they wanted date-night movies, so that’s why we went that route,” Orsburn said.
According to Orsburn, the Parks Department chose Founders Square because it has the splash pad, as well as public restrooms and, most importantly, easy access to electricity for the equipment.
“Really, this is our newest, coolest, park, and we really wanted to have it here to celebrate that,” Orsburn said.
Once the weather turns cold, Orsburn hopes to host the movies inside Woodland Park, potentially including a possible Star Wars marathon.
The night could not have happened without the support of BAM Pizza, who sponsored the licensing fees for the movie and sold pizza at the event.
“I just thought it was a great experience for the kids and something different and works in all the other cities,” Amanda Autrey, BAM owner said. “We have a great turnout tonight, so I think that it was the right thing to do.”
The Parks Department is also allowing different nonprofits, such as the Pride of Portage Marching Band, to sell candy.
Movies in the Park will be held every first, second and third Friday of the month, as the Portage YMCA hosts a movie the fourth Friday of the month.