Downtown Paris Announces This Summer’s Movies In The Park

For the tenth year, Paris Main Street is hosting Movies in the Park. This is a free public event and occurs every Thursday night in June. The community is encouraged to bring out a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a movie with friends in historic Bywaters Park, located at 400 S. Main Street.

Many volunteers and sponsors help make this event possible. “Every year beginning in January, the promotion committee for Main Street meets to select the movies. The committee reviews a slate of titles, and works to select family-friendly movies that appeal to a variety of ages,” says John Brazile, committee chair.

This year’s season begins on June 7 with the original version of Jumanji from 1997, sponsored by Everett Toyota.  Other movies are as follows: June 14, Gnomeo and Juliet, an animated movie from 2011 sponsored by Liberty National Bank. June 21, The Wild Life, an animated movie from 2016 sponsored by Spanglers, and on June 28, The Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny Movie, cartoon movie from 1981. These movies are projected on a 14ft screen set up on the Peristyle and will start viewing just after dark. Sponsors are vital to keeping this family-friendly event free to the public.

A concession is available and will sell snacks including popcorn, hot dogs, candy, snow cones, and drinks. This year’s concession stand’s sponsors are Lamar National Bank, MainPlace, and PRMC PrimeTime Senior Program. All proceeds from the concessions are collected for downtown improvements. Each organization brings a host of volunteers to help serve the customers.

Each night just before the movie around 8:00 pm, we plan activities for the enjoyment of the children who attend. These games and crafts are planned to coincide with the theme of the movie showing on that evening. Paris Baby, a local children’s store in downtown Paris will be providing supplies for the crafts, and local churches volunteer to assist the children as needed.

The committee would like to remind everyone that children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Due to the large attendance, no pets or bicycles are allowed in the park during the Movies in the Park event. Insect repellent is encouraged and there is no smoking in any City of Paris’ Parks. In case of inclement weather, please check the Movies in the Park Facebook page. The decision as to whether to call off the movie will be posted by 5:30 pm to allow ample time for families to make alternate plans.

Everyone will be encouraged to take pictures and post them on their social media and the Paris Movies in the Park Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with the hashtags #ParisMip, #downtownparistexas, and #myparistxlife. For more information contact Cheri Bedford at 903-784-9293