‘Movies in the Park’ draws in a happy crowd

“How do you tell the difference between a male and female emperor penguin?” said Andy Blanchard, master of ceremonies, to the crowd.

Children jumped up and down, one of them squealed, “Please, please, please, pick me!”

Upon getting the answer right, a little girl in a red shirt and black hat simply stated, “It was easy. The male penguins are the ones that bring stones over to the females, so that they can win her over.”

“Movies in the Park” is a series sponsored by the City of Davis that will take place until Oct. 17 in Central Park on 405 C St. Beginning at 6 p.m. with pre-movie games, contests and food vendors, the free event drew in a large crowd of Davis parents, kids and pets alike. Saturday marked the second night of three, showing family and penguin favorite, Happy Feet.

With blankets and lawn chairs covering every inch of available grass, children anxiously awaited the film as parents enjoyed snacks of kettle corn, hot dogs or pizza sold by food vendors.

Families throughout Yolo County made the trek to Davis for this family fun-filled event.

“Not only is Davis safe and calm, but it’s a great place to raise kids. Events like the one tonight bring such friendly people that I embrace the opportunity to bring my son to the movies in Central Park,” said Jason Wilkerson, a Dixon resident.

Last week the Davis Community Services Department showed Madagascar and next Saturday they will end the series by screening the ’90s classic Mrs. Doubtfire.

Davis resident Anna Mills brought her 10-month-old daughter Noelle to the movie screening to introduce her to the Davis community feel.

“Central Park is always a safe, comfortable place to bring our daughter,” Mills said.

Kay Strode brought her four-year-old son Benny, so that they could have a family night at a spot with familiar faces.

“There’s always someone we know here,” Strode said. “It’s such a comfortable place to bring our son. Not to mention he loves the movies they show.”

When asked why he likes coming to the movies, Benny responded that it’s “cuz the movies are usually fun.”

Blanchard maintained enthusiasm throughout the hour and fifteen minutes of games and contests, making sure that every child got a fair chance at answering his Happy Feet trivia questions (“Question: What do the penguins calls the people in this movie? Answer: Aliens”).

Blanchard is the manager for Arroyo Community Pool and enjoys DJing in his spare time, he said. Now that it is the off-season, he works as an MC for the “Movies in the Park” events, playing music inspired by whatever film is showing that week.

“I love music, and I love working with kids, so naturally I was excited to take the job,” Blanchard said.

Other sponsors for Saturday night’s showing included: Black Bear Diner, Hubbert Lumber Company, Davis Fire Fighters, University Retirement Company, the Davis Co-Op, and Woodland Health Care.

For more information about “Movies in the Park”, go to http://cityofdavis.org/cs/events/moviesinthepark.cfm.

ELENI STEPHANIDES can be reached at features@theaggie.org.