Family movie night hosted in Colchester

by Garrett Fodor

Local families were invited to enjoy a free and fun evening designed to suit all ages on Saturday as the Town of Essex hosted its fifth annual Movies in the Park series at Colchester Harbour Park.

  The Town of Essex hosts this series each year, with a movie being shown at the Heritage Garden Park in Essex Centre and at Colchester Harbour Park, between July and August.

  Cynthia Cakebread, Essex’s Manager of Recreation and Culture, said the Town always wants to have families get together to enjoy the free and peaceful settings the Town has to offer.

  “We are always looking for new family-themed activities to provide to the community,” Cakebread said. “This is a great option to get families together, but also [to] showcase the beautiful open facilities we offer, and all at no cost to those in attendance.”

  Saturday’s movie night showed the movie “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” it is the third movie in the trilogy. Families were treated to free popcorn during the movie and, once the credits finished rolling, those in attendance were able to enjoy a free fireworks display. The fireworks display was a make-up date originally scheduled to end the Town’s Colchester Family Fun event, which took place a few weeks back. 

  The turnout of 200 people proved the event was a successful. She said as long as the weather cooperates, Town staff members have noticed a gradual increase at all locations since the start of the movie night event. It is hoped this popularity can continue in the future.

  Cakebread added she and other Town of Essex staff personnel and officials enjoy seeing community members coming out for events and enjoying themselves.