The city’s annual summer movie series at Queen’s Park kicks off roughly three weeks from now for Version 4.0.
Hosted by New Westminster Parks and Recreation, G&F Financial and Park Georgia Realty, organizers say the Friday affair promises not to disappoint.
“We’ve upgraded the screen with some maintenance to make sure the movie will show better,” Ryan Weber, youth services coordinator, told the Record. “We’re going to add some additional sounds to it, and then we’ve added some amenities for families, like games and activities and stuff.”
The lineup starts with Footloose on July 10, followed by the fan favourite Grease sing-along, How to Train Your Dragon 2, Toy Story 2, Guardians of the Galaxy, Rio 2, Aladdin and Big Hero 6.
Weber said choosing the flicks was a combination of using last year’s survey results, which asked residents what movies they wanted to see on the big screen, as well as consulting with community groups about which ones were most popular. He suspects that Grease will once again draw one of the larger crowds.
“I haven’t attended it, but I’ve been told people come in full dress and actually dance, too. There seems to be a cult following with that movie,” Weber jokingly said.
Some of the feedback received from last year, he added, had to with the event’s structure, specifically movies starting too late. Because viewings start at dusk, Weber said many families didn’t attend the first half of the series. To accommodate, more of the family-friendly flicks have been scheduled later in the summer when the days get shorter.
On average, about 400 people attend each viewing, he added, but that’s all dependant on weather. If Mother Nature is questionable, movie-goers are encouraged to call 604-527-4634 for updates.
Attendees can bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks. Stadium doors open at 7 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk (between 8:30 and 9 p.m.). Admission is free. For more information, visit www.newwestcity.ca.
