There will be even more free outdoor movies in downtown Peterborough this summer, with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) announcing an expanded “Movies at the Park” series.
The free movies will run at dusk every Tuesday evening in July and August at Quaker Foods City Square, located at 215 Charlotte Street just east of Aylmer.
After launching the series for the first time last summer with five movies, the DBIA has expanded it to eight movies this summer with the support of Peterborough Tourism, the City of Peterborough’s destination marketing program, along with a group of sponsors and community partners.
“Initiatives like this strengthen community connections while enhancing the experience for locals and visitors alike,” said Stoyan Barakov, the city’s manager of cultural services, in a media release. “Peterborough Tourism is pleased to support the Peterborough DBIA in creating a fun and friendly atmosphere for Movies at the Park by providing the outdoor screen and promotional support.”
The movie line-up includes:
July 7 – “The Secret Life of Pets”
A pampered terrier’s comfortable life is turned upside down when his owner brings home a new dog and the pair are swept into an adventure through New York City.
July 14 – “Dirty Dancing”
A young woman falls in love with a charismatic dance instructor from the wrong side of the tracks while vacationing with her family at a Catskills resort in the summer of 1963.
July 21 – “Grown Ups”
Five childhood friends reunite with their families for a Fourth of July weekend after the death of their former basketball coach.
July 28 – “Jurassic Park”
A preview tour of a remote island theme park filled with cloned dinosaurs becomes a fight for survival when the park’s security systems fail.
August 4 – “Paddington in Peru”
Paddington and the Brown family travel to Peru to visit Aunt Lucy, only to find themselves on an unexpected adventure through the Amazon rainforest.
August 11 – “Back to the Future”
A teenager is sent 30 years into the past in a time-travelling DeLorean and, after inadvertently preventing his dad from meeting his mom, must fix the situation before he vanishes from the future.
August 18 – “Skyfall”
James Bond is forced to confront his past while defending MI6 from a cyberterrorist with a personal vendetta against M.
August 25 – “How to Train Your Dragon”
A young Viking named Hiccup befriends an injured dragon and challenges his village’s long-held beliefs about the creatures.
During the movie nights, local businesses will be offering snacks, beverages, and treats.
“Downtown should be a place where people gather, connect, and create memories together,” said DBIA executive director Nour Mazloum. “Movies at the Park helps bring that vision to life by transforming Quaker Foods City Square into a welcoming community gathering place for all ages. We’re proud to offer a free and accessible experience that brings people downtown and creates opportunities to connect with one another throughout the summer.”
The movies are free to attend and no registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
In addition to the Movies at the Park series, the City of Peterborough is hosting an additional free movie at Quaker Foods City Square on Canada Day eve (Tuesday, June 30). There will be family-friendly activities beginning at 7:30 p.m., including a live band, sidewalk chalk activities, a s’mores station, complimentary popcorn and snacks, and a short family-friendly film presented by ReFrame Film Festival before the feature presentation screens at 9 p.m.
As for which movie will be screened, the city is conducting a survey at www.connectptbo.ca/movienight where you can vote for one of four film options. With voting closing just before midnight on Friday (June 19), so far the 2011 family animated comedy Gnomeo & Juliet is in the lead with almost half of more than 200 votes cast.
Set in a world of warring neighbours, Gnomeo & Juliet is a retelling of Shakespeare’s classic tale about two garden gnomes from rival factions who fall in love and must overcome their families’ bitter feud to be together.
