Pass the popcorn: Outdoor movie series offers pandemic protocol screenings in Edwards

[email protected]

Sometimes its the little stuff that makes life during a worldwide pandemic a bit easier.

Little stuff like enjoying a night at the movies. Judging by the enthusiastic response to the Outdoor Movie Series that launches Thursday night in Edwards, the little stuff can be a big deal.

A partnership between Mountain Recreation, Mountain Youth, Vail Valley Partnership, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, and Riverwalk Theater has announced plans to screen a diverse set of three movies under the stars at Edwards Freedom Park during the month of August. The movies are projected on to a 40-foot screen rented specifically for the events and the series kicks off with a showing of “Selena.” The movie will start when the sun goes down.

It’s actually a bit of a misnomer to say the event is sold out. Admission for the series is free but an RSVP is required by visiting: http://www.vailvalleypartnership.com/event/.

According to Lizzie Owens from Mountain Recreation, the reservation process is part of a comprehensive COVID-19 protocol in place for the series. While movie goers are welcome to bring a picnic or grab something to eat from a food truck parked on site, they are assigned a specific square on the grass at Freedom Park and when you sit in the center of your spot, you are 30 feet from your neighbor.

“We wanted to make sure we were very socially distanced,” said Owens. “We are working closely with Eagle County Public Health.”

Anyone who signs up for the series is presented with an expansive event policy list:

Additionally, all attendees are asked to follow the five commitments of containment.

Content is what differentiates the Freedom Park movie series from other outdoor film showings, Owens said.

“We wanted to make sure we were hitting groups that may not have other options,” she said.

The next showing is Aug. 20 with R-rated “The Conjuring,” a horror movie that will likely bring in a younger crowd.

“There is a huge population of young adults and older teens who love horror movies,” said Owens. “It was a film we wanted to bring in so the young adults would have something.”

The series will conclude on Sept. 3 with a showing of 1985 classic “The Goonies.”

“We have had a lot of enthusiasm for that film. ‘The Goonies’ is for everyone,” Owens said.

Owens said organizers haven’t yet discussed expanding the series, but given its popularity, that discussion is likely to happen.

“We will certainly talk about it for next summer as well,” she said.

In addition to the organizers, the series sponsors are First Bank, State Farm, the Edwards Metro District, SpeakUp ReachOut, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, Avid Design and the Vail Daily. On-site, Fill and Refill is donating hand sanitizer and the Zero Waste team from Walking Mountains is offering recycling services at a discounted rate.

Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil. If you don’t follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.

User Legend: Moderator Trusted User

|

The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve reopened on June 3 with access to the sand ramp trail, sand pit and Castle Creek play area.

|

WATCH: Vail Daily reporter John LaConte takes a tour of a new bike park construction site with Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance Executive Director Ernest Saeger.

|

|

We took a look at how COVID-19 has disrupted our education system, how schools are meeting student needs, and what’s being put in place to address gaps in resources. Featuring Phil Qualman, superintendent of Eagle…

|

Marketplace

Jobs

Classifieds

Autos

Real Estate

Rentals

Service Directory

Pets

Merchandise

Legals

Farm & Ranch

Recreation

Announcements

Buy Photos

Contact Us

Submissions

Advertise

Submit an Obituary

Commercial Print Sales

RSS

Magazines

Vail Daily E-Edition

Daily Weekly E-Edition

Eagle Valley E-Edition

Newsletters

Cookie List

Aspen-Snowmass

Breckenridge-Summit County

Craig-Moffat County

Glenwood Springs-Rifle

Park City-Utah

Steamboat Springs-Routt County

Winter Park-Granby-Grand County

©2005 – 2020 Swift Communications, Inc.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *