Roseburg, Oregon: Outdoor Movies on an Inflatable Screen to Come This Summer to Roseburg, Oregon

Outdoor Movies in Roseburg, OregonResidents may soon be able to view free, family-geared outdoor movies on the silver screen this summer, possibly at Stewart Park. Or more precisely, on a big, inflatable screen. That's a goal Roseburg Parks and Recreation Program Manager Barbara Taylor and the city's Parks and Recreation Commission have their eyes on. The Parks and Recreation is beginning to make concrete plans to make outdoor cinema events a reality for the Roseburg community. Tentative plans include the outdoor films to be shown during the month of June. Movies under the stars is a great family-friendly event and a perfect activity for a warm summer night. Although nothing is finalized, Taylor has been talking to representatives of U.S. Cellular about putting on such family-friendly flicks here. The city is eager to proceed with the outdoor movie events on an inflatable movie screen. It looks like we'll be able to do it, she said, cautiously. But we still haven't signed an agreement, she emphasized. She hopes that will be finalized by about mid-March. It's still in the planning stage and no contract has been signed, echoed Bruce Kehe, a public relations consultant for Chicago-based U.S. Cellular, in a phone interview. Kehe said the company works with cities in Oregon, Washington, Kansas and Missouri to put on the outdoor movie programs. I think the company has a great commitment to the communities it serves. This is just part of that, he continued, bringing people together in the summer and enjoying some great city facilities and having a great time together. Taylor got the idea for the free outdoor film fest after hearing the cities of Medford and Pendleton present such programs, with the help of U.S. Cellular. It sounded like it would be a fun thing to bring to Roseburg, she said. U.S. Cellular provides the equipment, including an outdoor projector, a big, inflatable screen and the movies. The city provides the site and electricity. Taylor said the films could be newer or older releases, but all would have G or PG ratings. Along with finalizing a contract, organizers are still pinning down where and when the outdoor movies might be shown. The timing depends partly on the fact the city would be sharing the equipment with Medford and Pendleton, which show their films in July and August. For now, Taylor said the city is shooting for showing the films once a week in June. The city and U.S. Cellular also have been talking about starting the Movies in the Park program on a trial basis the first year to see how it goes, to see if there's interest here or there's not, she said. At its last meeting, the parks commission considered various parks in which to feature the flicks, but is partial to showing them at the Nichols Band Shell at Stewart Park. Another piece of the puzzle is finding family-friendly entertainment to appear two hours before the outdoor movie show, Taylor said. Although nothing has been lined up, that could range from dancers from local kids' dance troupes to those adept at making balloon creations to possibly animals from Wildlife Safari, she said. As for refreshments, businesses in other communities have sponsored and provided free popcorn and soda pop. Roseburg will be looking for businesses here to do the same. The city also will be looking for volunteers to help with tasks such as setting up and taking down equipment on nights when the movies are shown. The parks commission has directed Taylor to try to sign a contract with U.S. Cellular. Before an outdoor movie can flicker on an inflatable screen, the City Council will have to agree to extend the open hours at whichever park hosts the program. Taylor said she's mentioned the Movies in the Park idea to people in the community. There seems to be a lot of interest and enthusiasm from folks, she said. We're hoping we'll be able to get the signed contract so we can have it. • You can reach reporter Kathy Korengel at 957-4218 or by e-mail at kkorengel@nrtoday.com. Source: "Movies in the Park program could come to Roseburg" by Kathy Korengel -The News Review. Read full article at: http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20090218/NEWS/902189954/1063/NEWS&ParentProfile=1055&title=Movies%20in%20the%20Park%20program%20could%20come%20to%20Roseburg.

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