Go & Do: Summer movie series bring fun outdoors
The end of the school year brings that long stretch of summer when the spotlight is on family activities.
Luckily the city of Bakersfield and North of the River Recreation and Park District have kicked off the run with the return of their Movies in the Park programs.
All summer, residents can enjoy a selection of family-friendly screenings in parks around Bakersfield.
The city began its series with a showing May 10 of the 2022 animated Pixar film "Turning Red" at Lowell Park.
Events continue through June with two additional fall films on the schedule.
Next up is last year's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," which will be shown June 7 at the Bakersfield Sports Village Stadium Field, 9001 Ashe Road.
On June 14, the 2023 animated comedy "Elemental" will be shown at Greystone Park, 5709 Mountain Vista Drive.
"Soul," the 2020 Pixar film about a middle-school band teacher whose true passion is jazz, will screen June 21 at Wilson Park, 2400 Wilson Road.
The Park at River Walk, 11298 Stockdale Highway, will host a screening of the heartwarming 2008 animated film "Wall-E" on June 28.
Later in the year, the series will return with two more events: a screening of the 1996 film "Space Jam" on Sept. 6 at Mesa Marin Sports Complex, 10315 Highway 178; and the seasonally appropriate "The Nightmare Before Christmas," being shown Oct. 25 at Silver Creek Park, 7011 Harris Road.
All movies start at dusk. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments will be available to purchase.
NOR Movies in the Park
NOR kicks off its summer movie series on June 6 with a screening at Liberty Park, 11225 Brimhall Road.
Jasmin LoBasso, NOR's superintendent of recreation and community services, said movie titles will be announced closer to the screening. A list of the first few films being screened in June was not available as of press time.
The schedule consists of:
June 13: Liberty Park, 11225 Brimhall Road
June 14: Emerald Cove Park, 4303 Patton Way
June 20: Liberty Park
June 21: Westdale Park, 15200 Westdale Drive
June 27: Liberty Park
June 28: Almondale Park, 5501 Verdugo Lane
July 5: Mondavi Park, 601 Mondavi Way
July 11: Liberty Park
July 12: Emerald Cove Park
July 18: Liberty Park
July 19: North Meadows Park, 3300 McCray St.
July 26: Gym at RiverLakes Ranch Park & Community Center, 3825 Riverlakes Drive
Aug. 2: Polo Community Park, 11801 Noriega Road
Aug. 9: Polo Community Park
Aug. 16: Madison Grove Park, 10115 Norris Road
Aug. 23: Polo Community Park
Aug. 30: Polo Community Park
Movies begin at sunset. Families are encouraged to bring seating. Note that screenings will be canceled if the temperature reaches 104 or higher.
Check the NOR Facebook page (@NORfun) for the latest information.
Movie Night for seniors
It's not just community movies for families. Seniors can enjoy a movie outing with their peers.
Those age 60 and older are invited to a monthly screening at the Rasmussen Senior Center.
Upcoming screenings will be held at 1 p.m. on June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11 at the center, 115 E. Roberts Lane.
A voluntary $3 contribution is welcome and concessions will be for sale.
