Bring your blankets, bring your lawn chairs … to Columbia’s River Park to watch a “movie under the stars.”

Saturday, September 26.

The NeverEnding Story (A troubled boy dives into a wonderous fantasy world through the pages of a mysterious book.) – family fun – SOURCE: IMDB

At Monday’s council meeting, an agenda item II, e, included a presentation from Beth Troxell about a community-building event slated for Saturday evening: an outdoor movie in the park for families.

Troxell elaborated about a community-building event that she and others will be holding at Columbia’s River Park on Saturday,September 26 from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. She said that she’d visited a town in New Jersey where the event is highly successful.

Lots of New Jersey’s communties, in fact, hold ongoing summer “movies in the park” events according to this website.

“What’s better than watching movies under the stars? Watching free movies under the stars. So save some money, spend a little time outdoors, and take in a family-friendly flick. If the kids get restless, they can always take a break and look for lightning bugs. Have fun out there! (While most movies listed here are rated G or PG, some may be PG-13 or have heavier themes for kids, so remember to check before you go.)”

Troxel, who introduced herself as the new market manager of the Columbia Market House, approached the council and told them there are significant costs associated with the showing of the movie. She said she was looking for approximately $1,300 and continued that the Parks and Recreation Board had promised to pony up the $1,300. Councillor Jim Smith, also a member of the Parks and Recreation Board (as well as the Columbia Economic Development Board), had several questions and issues about whether the Board had enough money to cover a project as this. Discussion ensued and it appears that the Board chair and the Board had approved funding the movie in the park on September 26.

Someone mentioned that Lititz also has movies in the park; Lititz’s movies in the park are sponsored by a Lititz retirement community.