One of Woodbury’s favorite summer activities, Starlight Cinema, returns this month to a new location: the lawn at Lake Middle School. Organizer Amanda Roseth says, “Starlight Cinema began as a way to bring the community together, get outside, celebrate and bring back the nostalgia of years past.” Before launching the community event, Roseth says she and her family did outdoor movies “on a smaller scale” on a screen in her backyard. “Now it’s magnified with a 40-foot inflatable screen,” she says. (It’s often described as a “drive-in movie without the cars.”)
It’s grown to be immensely popular—last year, the highest attended movie, Moana, saw 1,700 audience members. And there’s more to do than just watch a movie. Free activities for kids include face painting, crafts, science demos from 3M and a snake discovery booth. “Kids have a blast participating in the hula hoop and other contests before the movie,” says Roseth. And that sense of fun and community is what inspires her. “It’s been rewarding to be stopped at my kids’ sporting events and have people thank me for putting together [Starlight Cinema],” she says. “Seeing the smiles on people’s faces makes it worth every minute I put into creating this event.” Starlight Cinema is sponsored by a number of Woodbury businesses and supports Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf; guests are encouraged to bring food items or cash donations.
This summer, movies are on Thursday nights. Activities begin at 7 p.m., and the film starts at dusk. Bring a folding lawn chair or blanket; rain gear; cash for snacks and drinks; and bug spray.
June 13: Ralph Breaks the Internet (PG, 116 minutes)
June 27: Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse (PG, 116 minutes)
July 11: Leap (PG, 90 minutes)
July 25: How to Train Your Dragon 3 (PG, 104 minutes)
August 8: Frozen (PG, 109 minutes)
Starlight Cinema
Lake Middle School
3133 Pioneer Drive
Facebook: Starlight Cinema
Instagram: @starlightcinema
