'Sit-in- movies coming to bandshell
Visitors to Bettendorf’s Veterans Memorial Park can wax nostalgic every Saturday evening in June as the city hosts outdoor movie nights.
“There aren’t any drive-in movies anymore,” said Alderwoman Debe LaMar, 3rd Ward. “You have to drive all the way to Maquoketa to find one, and they have appeal because people love to be outdoors and see movies.”
LaMar came up with the idea for the outdoor movies, which will begin at dusk. “We have the beautiful band shell, and it’s a perfect location for people to bring a picnic supper and a blanket. I thought it would be very unique to the community.”
LaMar bounced the idea off Parks and Recreation Director Steve Grimes last year. Grimes ran with it and found sponsors to help pay for the cost. Happy Joe’s is the corporate sponsor and Alcoa Employees and Community Credit Union is a supporting sponsor. There also is a sponsor for each night, including Bettendorf Kiwanis, Lindquist Ford, Bettendorf Chamber of Commerce, Bettendorf Parks Foundation and Seneca Environmental Services.
The movies will be projected onto a 20-foot, inflatable screen. Master DJ and Visual Effects Inc. of East Moline will provide the equipment. Justin Miller, president and chief executive officer of the company, said such screens can withstand winds of up to 18 mph.
“If it’s above that, in the best case scenario, we would put the screen parallel to the wind, and it’s not that big of an issue. In a worst case scenario, we would deflate and let the wind die down.”
Miller said the screen is made of material similar to that used for bounce houses set up at carnivals for children. He said other cities in the area also have considered movie nights, but none are online for this year.
VanderVeer Botanical Park in Davenport held an outdoor movie night last week and attracted thousands of visitors. That city hired a firm from Racine, Wis., to provide its screen.
Each movie night, a youth organization will be represented, giving young people an opportunity to learn more about groups in their community. Organizations will include the Bettendorf Police Department baseball team, Boy and Girl Scouts, Bettendorf Parks and Recreation programs, Bettendorf Soccer Association and the Bettendorf Family YMCA.
“We’re family community, so let’s bring everybody together,” LaMar said. “I can’t wait. I have a 5-year-old little boy, and I think it’s going to be fun.”
IF YOU GO
Bettendorf will have movie nights every Saturday in June beginning at dusk at Veterans Memorial Park, 1645 23rd St. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department
at 344-4113.
“Charlotte’s Web”
Date: June 2
Rated: G
Starring: Voices of Julia Roberts and Steve Buscemi
“Shrek 2”
Date: June 9
Rated: PG
Starring: Voices of Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy
“Field of Dreams”
Date: June 16
Rated: PG
Starring: Kevin Costner and Amy Madigan
“Happy Feet”
Date: June 23
Rated: PG
Starring: Voices of Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman
“Dreamer”
Date: June 30
Rated: PG
Starring: Kurt
Russell and
Dakota Fanning
David Heitz can be contacted at
(563) 383-2202 or dheitz@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at www.qctimes.com.