Elgin brings back movie night

Elgin recreation leaders hope they have the right recipe for low-cost fun this summer as they launch free family movies at Festival Park beginning on July 1.

For several years, city's Cultural Arts Commission used to show classic movies in the summer, but halted that practice in 2008.

Budget shortfalls forced the city to cancel July 4 fireworks this year and last year. The city also cut back on funding for festivals, including its signature FoxFireFest for this year.

The Parks and Recreation Department spent $7,000 on an inflatable 20- by 30-foot screen, a move officials say is less expensive in the long run than renting it.

"We still want to be able to provide quality events for the community," said Barb Keselica, the city's special events coordinator. "We're really trying to go back to the grass roots and getting the community involved."

The series will kick off with "Madagascar" on July 1 and wrap up with "Up" on Aug. 26. Movies will begin at dusk but people can gather around 7 p.m. with blankets and lawn chairs. Viewers may bring their own food and drinks, but alcohol is prohibited.

Each movie has a theme. For example, for "Scooby Doo" on July 8 people are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.

City officials also have partnered with a different not-for-profit group for each movie. Local groups will sell refreshments to raise money for programs and also host kids' activities.

For example, the Prairie Valley Family YMCA in Elgin will sell refreshments on July 22 for "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."

Elizabeth Davin, the YMCA's executive director, said the event is a good venue to increase awareness about the YMCA's mission and raise money for its scholarship fund.

"I loved the premise behind the city's idea. Events like movie night bring people together," she said. "For us, family programming is what we're all about. Being able to participate in this is great."

If you goWhat: Elgin's Parks and Recreation Department will host movies at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., on Thursdays from July 1 through Aug. 26. People can begin laying out blankets and chairs at 7 p.m., and movies start at dusk. Movies are free and people may buy or bring snacks and drinks, but alcohol is prohibited.Movies:bull; July 1: "Madagascar"bull; July 8: "Scooby Doo"bull; July 15: "Michael Jackson - This is it!"bull; July 22: "Star Wars: The Clone Wars"bull; July 29: "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs"bull; Aug. 5: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"bull; Aug 12: "Hairspray (2007)"bull; Aug. 19: "Princess and the Frog"bull; Aug. 26: "Up"Hotline: Call (847) 531-7005 to find out if a movie has been canceled because of bad weather.