City residents experienced Forest Park in a whole new way on Thursday, July 12 when the Spirit of Springfield organization launched its first Time Out for Movies event of the summer season.  Families and friends came prepared with blankets, camping chairs and coolers full of snacks to enjoy a bevy of pre-show activities and, of course, the main attraction – a free screening of the popular song and dance movie Happy Feet. Read more

Girls from the Mary Ann Studio of Dance provided entertainment prior to the start of the movie and treated the audience to a number of performances of various styles.  After their show, City Council President Kateri Walsh addressed the crowd and a Happy Feet trivia contest was held.  Free popcorn provided by City Council member Bruce Stebbins was then distributed to all of the children in attendance.

“It makes you feel good about living in Springfield,” said Walsh of Time Out for Movies.  “This is a wonderful family event.”

Time Out for Movies will screen a film a week for the next two weeks at the amphitheater in the park.  Each movie is kid-friendly and promises to be a fun and affordable activity that the whole family can enjoy.  Upcoming screenings include Hoot (July 18) and Singing in the Rain (July 25). 

Pre-show activities begin at 7:30 p.m. and the films are scheduled to start at around 8:30 p.m.  Cars can enter the park for free via the Route 5 entrance and parking is provided near the Carriage House.  For more information about this event please call the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation at the Recreation Office at 787-6434 or 787-6435.

- Lauren Foley