Summertime is winding down but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one last warm-weather, family-friendly soiree planned in Port Clinton, a soiree that's bound to make more than just your feet happy.
Want to go?
WHAT: Pictures in the Park: "Happy Feet"
WHEN: Dusk (around 8:30 p.m.) Thursday, August 30
WHERE: Waterworks Park, Perry St., Downtown Port Clinton
COST: Free
INFO: 419-734-5503
Main Street Port Clinton has scheduled its second free Pictures in the Park affair for Thursday evening at Waterworks Park. Considering the previous event was postponed due to bad weather three times, Operations Manager Lauren Schubach is hopeful “Happy Feet” will go on without a hitch.
Funcoast talked to Schubach about the unique event and whether or not it could return in 2013.
Funcoast: First of all, how did you come up with the concept of Pictures in the Park?
Lauren Schubach (LS): We were trying to do a community event to bring people downtown. Main Street is an organization working to revitalize Port Clinton, to encourage people to come down and go to the restaurants and shops. We noticed a lot of other communities are doing movie nights and we thought it would be a fun addition. We don’t have a theater in Ottawa County, and we thought we’d kind of create our own.
Funcoast: How does Pictures in the Park work?
LS: We have a couple of sponsor commercials in the beginning before showing the movie. People can bring out blankets, lawn chairs, whatever they like. They can bring their own snacks or we have some fresh popcorn on sale there for donation. We also sell sodas and water.
Funcoast: How was the attendance for the first event earlier this month?
LS: The first one was difficult because we did change the date three times. We had between 30 and 50 people. We can’t run the projector in the rain and the actual screen is inflatable and can’t be in heavy winds. Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather. Hopefully the fourth time is our lucky charm.
Funcoast: Any chance Main Street Port Clinton brings back Pictures in the Park next year?
LS: It’s always a possibility. It’s actually quite expensive with licensing fees and the screen. So getting sponsorships is crucial, and we’re not sure our community is able to support that right now. Main Street is going to have to look at it and see if it’s in our mission to be able to have this event again. We’re excited about it and love having the movies. We think it’s a great addition to our downtown area, but it’s just the feasibility of trying to schedule something. We’re not sure if it’s the best use of our volunteer and staff hours.
Funcoast: Hmm, it sounds like it’s not a given that Pictures in the Park will return in 2013?
LS: No, it’s 50-50 right now.
Funcoast: Finally, are you excited about seeing “Happy Feet?”
LS: I am. Who doesn’t like “Happy Feet?” It’s one of the most popular movies out there.
The final free Pictures in the Park featuring the film “Happy Feet” takes place at roughly 8:30 Thursday in Waterworks Park. For more information, call 419-734-5503.
