BERLIN – The town will kick off its first-ever outdoor movie series with an event in Henry Park this weekend.
On April 25, the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee will host a free showing of The Lego Movie at Henry Park. It’s the first in the town’s Movies in the Parks and on Main series.
“It’s a win win for all of us,” said Mike Wiley, chairman of the town’s parks commission.
Wiley said the outdoor movies had been discussed for years but had always been deemed too expensive for the town. When the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee acquired a grant from the Worcester County Arts Council to help with the costs, however, the project was made possible. The series of three movies will be funded with $1,000 from the Worcester County Arts Council and $1,000 from the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee, according to Heather Layton, president of the committee.
The company FunFlicks will provide the necessary equipment — a 21-foot screen and projector — and will set up and take down everything, Layton said.
The Lego Movie will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at Henry Park. The second movie featured in the series will be Fern Gully, which will be shown at 8 p.m. on May 30 at Stephen Decatur Park. Park hours have been extended for both events.
Layton said the movies were selected after members of the committee asked their children for advice and checked reviews online.
“The Lego Movie got great reviews and it’s got a good message,” Layton said.
The final movie in the series will be Runaway Bride, the 1999 movie starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere that was filmed in Berlin. It will be shown on Jefferson Street on June 27 at 8 p.m. Layton said committee members had originally planned to show the movie on Main Street but decided that because the event was slated for a Saturday night showing it on Jefferson Street would disrupt less traffic.
The movie nights are weather dependent and will be rescheduled if it’s raining. Layton encourages those attending to bring their own chairs or blankets as well as snacks. She added that while the movie nights are meant to be family friendly children should be with an adult.
For information, visit the “Berlin MD Arts and Entertainment” Facebook page.