This evening, at the latest installment of Movies at the Park, there will be a free screening of the popular 90s film Hook. If you are not familiar with the movie Hook, tonight is a great chance to see a classic movie on a two-story inflatable screen in excellent company for free. Movies in the Park is an ongoing summer tradition in Grand Rapids, with a long list of sponsors and an even longer list of happy attendees. Tonight's presentation of Hook specifically has been sponsored and funded by the Grand Rapids Public Schools. Sponsors for the full series of screenings include Grand Rapids, Inc, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, the Community Media Center, the Wealthy Street Theatre, Celebration! Cinema, Franklin Partners, LLC and Macatawa Bank.
Hook is a grown-up sequel to the story of Peter Pan. Peter has grown up and is now a mediocre father and corporate lawyer. Everything in his life changes when his children are kidnapped from Wendy Darling's home. Wendy is now a very old woman, but she helps Peter remember who he is, and he returns to Neverland to save his kids. While there, he must win over the Lost Boys, who don't understand how Peter Pan could leave them and grow up. He must also re-learn all of his powers, like flying, sword fighting, and crowing like a rooster. At times funny, sad, and poignant, Hook is a classic work of American cinema, starring the great, late Robin Williams in the role of Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman as Hook, Maggie Smith as Wendy Darling, and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell.
For those who have not previously attended a Movies at the Park screening, these events are free and open to the public and family friendly. There is always pre-screening entertainment, which usually begins at 7:00 pm. Tonight, however, there will be additional free fun for the family beginning at 4:30 pm with a skateboard clinic hosted by Girls Riders Organization. That clinic will run until 6 pm, when the mini skate park provided by AGA Nation will be open for anyone who wants to ride. After that, from 8:00 to 9:00 pm, there will be a skateboarding contest. Anyone who wishes to ride must sign a waiver and bring their own helmet. More details about the skating events can be found here.
There will also be free kid's games provided by the Grand Rapids Children's Museum and a live music performance by AB Music. Those who wish to dress up as a pirate, lost boy, Tinkerbell, or Peter Pan can participate in a free costume contest, wherein the audience of the film will vote by cheering for the various contestants and their costumes.
Tonight will be the last night to vote for what movie will be screened on August 21st as part of the Voter's Choice annual screening at Movies at the Park. Voter's Choice night is especially fun, as two movies are screened back to back. First, the voter's choice movie will be screened, followed by The Lost Boys, a popular, campy vampire movie from the 1980s.
Bring a blanket or a low-rise lawn chair, bring the kids, and bring your sense of humor and wonder for an unforgettable evening at Ah-Nab-Awen park, enjoying a fun film with many other local families. Additional details about Movies at the Park can be found at the Facebook event page here. Have a great weekend!