Ready for a night out? Elgin’s Movies on the Lawn series starts Saturday
Elgin is setting you up for a movie date.
The city’s free Movies on the Lawn series begins Saturday on the south side of the Hemmens Cultural Center downtown with a showing of “Zombieland” on a 30-foot-wide screen. But Elgin’s Director of Cultural Arts and Special Events says the city wanted to do more than show a movie.
“We wanted to create the opportunity for a fun date night or girls night or friends night out,” Harris said. “So we did a movie night, but we added some extra Elgin flavor to it.”
Each of the four movie nights will have thematic programming before and during the show. They’ll also have food vendors, and alcoholic beverages will be sold at the Hemmens to enjoy during the movies.
“It’s going to be really chill, really relaxing and really fun,” Harris said.
For “Zombieland,” the city is bringing out some Nightmare on Chicago Street props to give people a sneak peek of what’s coming for the October festival. McNally’s Heating and Cooling is bringing a hearse for people to use as a photo opp.
Programming will start at 6 p.m., and the movie will begin around dusk. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.
The series will highlight Adam Sandler with a double feature on Aug. 17 featuring “50 First Dates” and “Happy Gilmore.”
They’ll also have miniature golf set up to channel your inner Happy, and people are encouraged to dress as the real-life Sandler in baggy shirts and basketball shorts.
On Aug. 24, the city will embrace the classics with “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” On Sept. 7, they’ll feature the Spanish-language “Instructions Not Included” with English subtitles. Both films will feature themed programming and food.
While the movies on the lawn are aimed at a more grown-up crowd, the city’s family-focused Movies in the Park series on Fridays similarly features themed programming with each film.
Upcoming movies include “Trolls” on July 19 and “Cars” on July 26, both at Festival Park. Home Depot is sponsoring the “Cars” showing and will bring cardboard boxes for kids to decorate as cars to create their own drive-in movie experience.
“It’s gonna be the cutest thing, and I’m probably gonna cry,” Harris said.
All movie events are free and open to the public. If there is bad weather, check the city’s Facebook page for a possible cancellation. The rest of the summer family movie schedule can be found at elginil.gov/1775/Summer-Movies-in-the-Park.