Family-friendly movies draw comfy crowd to Downtown Park

For the past four years, Emily Kuno, 7, and her mother, Rebecca Kuno, have never missed a week of summer outdoor movies at Bellevue’s Downtown Park. The event, sponsored by the city of Bellevue and its major sponsor, inome, the parent company of Intelius, has become a family tradition for the Kunos, and when spring arrives Emily begins asking her mom when the movies at the park will start.

August 3, 2012 12:51 pm
Benjamin Titus and Maddie Hagen get comfy for a night at the movies.
Benjamin Titus and Maddie Hagen get comfy for a night at the movies.

By ALICE HANH

UW News Lab

For the past four years, Emily Kuno, 7,  and her mother, Rebecca Kuno, have never missed a week of summer outdoor movies at Bellevue’s Downtown Park. The event, sponsored by the city of Bellevue and its major sponsor, inome, the parent company of Intelius, has become a family tradition for the Kunos, and when spring arrives Emily begins asking her mom when the movies at the park will start.

The Tuesday night movies are of the family-friendly variety. They are open to all ages and free. While the movies begin at dusk – around 9 p.m. – people start arriving and getting their spot on the lawn at 7:30 p.m. Those at a recent showing were there for a variety of reasons.

“It is a nice summer activity,” said Maddie Hagen, who was at the park earlier in the day and saw signs for the event.

Jennie and Aidan Crook came with their infant child to see the movie. They said that it was nice to get out of the house and have a picnic.

“Bellevue always does a nice job showing movies at the park,” said Jennie.

Last week, “Happy Feet 2” played, and both kids and adults enjoyed free popcorn and animal crackers. Music played,  kids danced and a giant, colorful beach ball bounced above the crowd. The blow-up screen was up and families brought their blankets and foldable chairs.

Although movies are free, donations – money or specified items – are accepted for a different non-profit each week.

Victoria Hollerbach, spokeswoman for the Bellevue Parks Department,  said inome works with the city to purchase the screen and the movies.

Upcoming movies, and benefiting non-profits are: “Soul Surfer,” iCareWeCare (Aug. 7); “Big Miracle,” Bellevue LifeSpring (Aug. 14); “Dolphin Tale,” Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue (Aug. 21); “We Bought a Zoo,” YouthCare (Aug. 28).

The Downtown Park is located at 10201 NE Fourth St. If it rains, movies are shown at the South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 SE Newport Way.

 

Alice Hanh is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benjamin Titus, Maddie Hagen. Courtesy photo, James Han

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emily Kuno, Rebecca Kuno. Courtesy photo, James Han