movies in the park

WARNING: Enjoy Movies In The Park may have a couple or two on a date. 

"Eeeww! That's so gross!" 

Me: "What is?"

She: "Behind you! They are kissing!"

Me: Turning around to see a couple lounging on their fold out recliner chairs. No longer kissing. "They are fine."

Two minutes later...

She: "Oh no! It's getting worse. He just gave her a flower! Yuck.  They must be on a date."

Me: "ha ha"

Apparently my nine year old daughter is not ready to date.  THANK GOODNESS!

While she may not have been thrilled the couple behind us on a date, both my daughter and son had fun at Enjoy Movies In The Park.  On Friday evening, we watched the Disney film, Into The Woods.  

The Stats:

What: Enjoy Movies In The Park, different movie each week

When: Every Friday evening June 6 - Aug 29, 2015 @ dusk

Where: Parks vary, see schedule 

Cost: FREE

At about 8:15 we headed out to Caldwell Park with our quilt and cooler full of snacks and drinks.  By the time we got there, there was about 60 people already seated.  We picked a spot that allowed us to see well and pulled out a deck of cards to pass the time until it was dark enough to start the movie.

There were a few food vendors with kettle corn, smoothies and other snacks, but we had brought our own, so we didn't get any, but they did look good.

The movie started about 9pm.  I was really impressed with the quality of the picture and the sound.  It is obvious that they had invested in good equipment.  I was worried about being able to hear and understand the movie.  Particularly this movie (Into The Woods) because it is a musical and it is kind of a dark movie.  I was very happy with the overall quality.

My daughter (age 9) and son (age 11) really like watching a movie outside, and to my surprise really enjoyed the movie itself.  I suppose I have subjected them to enough musicals over the years, that they have learned to appreciate them.

About 40 mintues before the movie was over, my kids asked if we could leave.  Not because they didn't like the movie (in fact they asked us to rent it the next day so they could finish it) but because they were too tired to stay awake. My children are used to an early bedtime, so we left.  They were sad to go, but really happy to climb into bed.

Pro Tips: 

• If you take children, make sure that you know your children well and be certain they are able to stay awake.  Many children can stay up late for movies, but mine can't.  
• Take chairs.  We just had a blanket, and we got tired of sitting without something to lean against.  With people in front of us we had to sit up to see.  When my daughter was tired, she tried lying down, but then couldn't see.
• Bring something to do while you wait for the movie to start.  A deck of cards is perfect.
• While most of the movies are family movies, this is definitely an activity I would consider for date night, especially with a group of friends.
• Bring friends! The more the merrier at Enjoy Movies In The Park.

Have you been to the movies in the park? What did you think? Any other tips? Leave them in the comments.