When you search your memories of childhood, did it include playing in the park and going to the theatre to watch the summer blockbusters? I’m in my early 50’s and recall going to watch the movie Jaws. That film stuck with me for years and affected my willingness to swim in large bodies of water that might contain large fish. Saturday Night Fever taught me how to dance and find the rhythm in music. Bruce Lee, Enter the Dragon showed me that you had to protect your pride and do it in style as a warning to others. The films I watched as a youngster have never left my memories. After I became a father, I began taking my kids to the theatre. Sometimes it was a toss up between going to the park or going to the movies.
Whatever the choice, it was always a win win. As society evolves there are people that stand out from the crowd, for their awareness, for their ingenuity and for their ability to bring families together for a night of free entertainment. No longer do you have to be faced with choosing the park or the theatre. In Toronto, Movie Night in the Park solves both problems with a few added bonuses… you can bring the entire family, bring your own blanket and you are under the stars!
You might ask yourself, does it get any better than this? The short answer, it absolutely does! There are multiple blockbusters in multiple genres. There are movies for the entire family as well as movies for mom and dad, friends, grandparents and with a colourful blend of thriller, action, romance, comedy, musical and family. These films will not only entertain you, they will give you a memory that will bring comfortable smile years from now.
The Beach Village BIA and the Richards Group are the amazing people behind this tremendously considerate and kind-hearted idea. It was founded by The Beach Village BIA in 2014 and this is the sixth year. The first film is Black Panther, which starts July 3, 2019. Theaverage turnout is approximately 300 people per movie but after looking at the line-up of films I believe those numbers will far exceed last years. What better way to show unity, to show community and to share one night or two or all the movie nights with your neighbours, coworkers and fellow Torontonians.
Movies will play every Wednesday until the end of August. There are 9 movies in total and the screenings will rotate between Kew Gardens and Ivan Forrest Gardens Park. The admission is always FREE, along with the popcorn! Find your soft patch of grass and be ready at dusk (9:00 – 9:30 pm) to watch the movie after the 8:00 entertainment show. The movies will be projected on large screens with incredible audio speakers that will make you forget you’re outside.
If you like to win prizes, there is a weekly Contest where you can enter to win weekly prizes sponsored from our member businesses. Bring a receipt* (min $10) from a Beach Village Business and be entered to win. Every $10 spent gets you another entry into the draw. *Receipts must be dated the same day you enter the draw. There is a limit of five entries.
The 2019 Movie Line–up includes:
July 3 – Black Panther (Kew Gardens)
July 10 – Bohemian Rhapsody (Ivan Forrest)
July 17 – Mary Poppins Returns (Kew Gardens)
July 24 – Beetlejuice (Ivan Forrest)
July 31 – Spiderman into the Spiderverse (Kew Gardens)
August 7 – The Sandlot (Ivan Forrest)
August 14 – Pitch Perfect 3 (Kew Gardens)
August 21 – First Man (Ivan Forrest)
August 28 – Crazy Rich Asians (Kew Gardens)
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to kick back with the family/friends/partners or even by yourself and come be entertained.