Movie in the park

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By Frank Lewis

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Many years ago, one of the big attractions was the movie in the park. A projector was set up and people came and sat on lawn chairs or the ground and watched a movie. Rich Saddler and the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee are bringing it back with a series of four movies in the park.

The series kicks off Saturday (June 20) at dusk and concessions will be available.

“They are in Mound Park and we are trying to do a series of four different kids movies throughout the summer,” Saddler said.

He said movie titles are available.

“We have purchased movie rights from Swank Entertainment which is one of two major movie rights suppliers in the United States. According to the contract we are unable to release the name of the movie for publication in the newspaper, radio or TV due to copyright infringements,” Saddler said. “However, we are able to print flyers provided by Swank Productions and are able to share it on social media.”

Saddler said anyone get that information by visiting their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/portsmouthparksandrecreation to view the movie title and other activities in our parks this Summer.

Saddler said each movie showing will cost $401 and this Saturday’s movie has been covered by a anonymous donor. He said he alsobelieves the second will covered by donations as well.

“For the third and fourth movie, we are waiting to see if the monies are there for each showing,” Saddler said. “If anybody would be interested in donating to our committee to help offset these costs, checks can be mailed to, Portsmouth, Ohio Parks & Recreation P.O. Box 1844, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.

“Any child that is, I believe, 12 and under is going to get a free bag of popcorn and a free can of pop or bottle of water, because this is for them,” Saddler said. “We’re trying to get the kids out of the house from in front of the video games and active in our parks.”

The committee has also scheduled more clean-up days in the city’s local parks. The next cleanup day is June 27 starting at 9 a.m. Saddler said participants will meet at Weghorst Park first then Buckeye Park. The next one will be at Bannon Park first then Cyndee Seacrest Park on July 25 starting at 9 a.m. After those will be a clean-up at Mound Park first then Tracy Park on August 22 at 9 a.m.

“We will be doing some painting on the metal swing sets and other painted playground structures in each of these parks,” Saddler said. “I will also be contacting the local paint stores and asking for donations as well. Whatever paint we will need after asking the paint stores, our committee will purchase. Other efforts will be litter pickup, grass cutting, tree trimming and any other detail that may be needed to enhance the parks.”

Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.

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