For those of you looking to mix up your late summer evenings with a dose of nostalgia and fresh air, Civic Center Park is the place to be. The city's latest initiative, 'Movies in the Park', invites families to sprawl out on blankets or hunker down in lawn chairs for a cinematic experience under the night sky, featuring a lineup of recent animated favorites guaranteed to entice viewers of all ages.
The programming kicks off on Thursday, August 28, with "Inside Out 2," projected to start at 8:10 p.m., a clear enough time set when you'd hope to clearly see the stars above (and on screen). On September 5, gear up to get wild with "The Wild Robot," around 7:55 p.m. followed by "IF" on September 12, set to begin at approximately 7:40 p.m. These times are, of course, pegged to post-sunset – that magical twilight when stars just begin to truly shine, and a screen can clearly stand out among the fading light.
Attendance won't cost a dime, as the city has made these events free, aligning with community-building activities and providing accessible entertainment. Nestled in the heart of our local Civic Center Park, at 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, the outdoor amphitheater serves as a communal backyard where residents can come together, relax, and enjoy the alchemy of good films and the great outdoors.
If you're wondering about whether to pack that extra sweater or to bet on a clear sky, keep your phones handy to dial in to the weather hotline at 952-939-8355 for those last-minute updates. According to a report from the City of Minnetonka's official news posting, they explicitly promise weather-related updates that will help you to not only stay informed but also stay dry, should the clouds decide to join in on movie night.
So, set your phone reminders, make a mental note, or do whatever it takes to remember these dates – because "Movies in the Park" seems set to offer a little slice of community heaven, a perfect opportunity to catch up with neighbors, and to finally put to rest that never-ending debate over whether animated films really are just for kids (they're not, we all know it).
