Around 8:00pm, Superintendent Oralethea Davenport counted about 100 people settling in for the movie. "As it gets darker, more will come," she explained.
Greater awareness, perfect weather, and a popular movie all factors in movie night success
photos and text by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (July 13, 2018) – The bounce house was inflated, the game truck was parked, the caricature guy was ready, and park district refreshment booth was stocked. Starting at 6:30pm, families were welcomed to the south end of Schultz Park for two hours of games and snacks before the showing of Coco on the big screen.Around 8:00pm, Superintendent Oralethea Davenport counted about 100 people settling in for the movie. “As it gets darker, more will come,” she explained.“One more for Rocket League,” the game truck man said to the crowd lined up waiting to play.Others chose outdoor games during the pre-show party.Lots of kids lined up to see how caricature artist Bill Jackson would render them.The bounce house is a good way to burn off energy before the movie.The park district sold typical movie fare as refreshments.Oralethea Davenport made fresh popcorn for movie-goers.Another satisfied customer.While kids were getting their last turns in the bounce house and game truck, parents took advantage of the opportunity to check email before the show.Superintendent Michelle Havran did a tech check to make sure the show could start promptly at 8:30pm.By 9:00pm the park was dark.By the time the show started, an estimated 200 people were in attendance. Superintendent Davenport said one reason more people came to this movie night than the previous one was because they wanted to see Coco.By the light of their smart phones, park district staff packed up the remaining refreshments—they had sold out of everything but a few bottles of water and Diet Coke.
There are four more movie nights scheduled in Lansing parks this summer:
Friday, July 20—Star Wars: The Last Jedi, at Rotary Park (193rd and Sherman)
Friday, August 3—Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, at Lan-Oak Park (180th and Arcadia)
Friday, August 10—Wonder Woman, at Lions Park (177th and Bernadine)
Friday, August 17—A Wrinkle in Time, at Potts Park (172nd West of Oakwood Avenue)
Games and refreshments are available beginning at 6:30pm, with each movie scheduled to begin at 8:30pm.
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.
Wonderful turnout and event. Bring bug spray.