“Trolls” will be shown Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m. on the grounds of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum in Westfield.
WESTFIELD-For those of us old enough to remember the Sundown Drive-In Theater in the Hampton Ponds area or the Red Rock Drive-In in Southampton – those memories curled up with a blanket in the back seat of our family car are etched in our minds.
This summer, the drive-in theater experience – 21st century style – continues with three movies on the grounds of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum on South Broad Street. The movies are sponsored by the Westfield Rotary Club and hosted by museum staff.
The first movie, “The Bee Movie,” was screened June 24 and approximately 50 area residents attended.
“Having these movies provides free entertainment to families and gives awareness that Westfield has a children’s museum,” said Diana McLean, a museum board member.
McLean added that the museum started a GoFundMe page in 2016 to seek donations to pay for the equipment and thanked the Westfield Rotary Club for seeing a need and “completely funding” the project.
Lynn Boscher, Rotary president, said the club has an investment in the city and its young people and wanted to help.
“Rotary members knew it was a good project and we wanted to do something special for the kids in the city,” said Boucher.
“The museum coordinates all of the events,” added McLean.
McLean also encourages children to build “box cars” to sit in while at the movies.
“The idea is to have a fun element to coming to the movie and make it seem like an old fashioned drive-in theater,” said McLean. “Families can have fun at home working together to create their box car.”
Patrons are also encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and snacks to enjoy during the showings.
“The museum sells popcorn and water to help fund the movie,” said McLean.
All of the animated films are geared toward families and begin at 8 p.m.
On July 29, DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls” will be shown on the big screen. The film will transport the audience to a colorful, wondrous world populated by the Trolls, who find themselves in a pickle – and a mismatched duo embarks on a rescue mission that is complete with adventure and mishaps. The cast includes voiceovers from Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Russell Brand, Gwen Stefani and James Corden.
The Peanuts Movie will be shown Aug. 19.
On Aug. 12, audiences will be treated to “The Secret Life of Pets,” focusing on the quiet life of a terrier named Max who is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes. The cast includes voiceovers by Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet and Kevin Hart.
The summer theater season wraps up on Aug. 19 with The Peanuts Movie. As the tale unfolds, Snoopy embarks on his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while Charlie Brown starts his own epic quest to win the love of his life. Cast members include Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez and Hadley Belle Miller.
All screenings are free to the public and donations are appreciated to support the event, according to McLean. If a movie has to be cancelled due to inclement weather, the museum will try to reschedule pending availability of its volunteers.
“There will be four movies each summer, perhaps more if there are donations and volunteers to support the showings,” said McLean.
For more information on the drive-in theater events, call the museum at (413) 572-4014.
