Movie in the Park races through April showing

By Lesley Dwyer
| 2:30 p.m. April 14, 2024

East County
Neighbors

Bradenton 4-year-old Alejandra Garcia made the right choice for the occasion.

She picked a muscle car flame to be painted on her face before Movie in the Park began at Waterside Place April 12.

The movie for the night?

"Cars."

Despite a windy night, families flocked to the monthly event alongside Kingfisher Lake.

Grace Church hosts the event on the second Friday of every month at Waterside Park and always brings a treat for the crowd.

On April 12, it was cotton candy, going to the first 300 patrons for free.

A line of inflatables, including Skeeball, T-ball and a bounce castle, tired the kids out before “Cars” played.

The movie screen was inflatable, standing 30 feet high, far larger than the TV 2-year-old Veda Dixon has at home.

Veda said it was her first movie night. She is a big Lightning McQueen fan, and she was not alone.

The grass was thick with blankets and lawn chairs full of McQueen and Mater fans.

The next Movie in the Park is scheduled for May 10.

Inflatables are set up at Waterside Park for Movie in the Park.

Kids line up to have their faces painted before the movie starts.

Harry Noordsy, 3, keeps his eye on the floating ball.

Kaye and Veda Dixon enjoy some popcorn before the movie.

Raelyn and Rian Bell have a snack while waiting to have their faces painted.

Jose and Alejandra Garcia look over the face painting menu.

Alejandra Garcia chooses a flame for her face painting.

Stefano Flores, 2, practices throwing a football.

Skeeball is one of four inflatables provided by Grace Church for the monthly movie night at Waterside Park.

Movie night is all about the popcorn and candy, so 1-year-old Lupe Medina sucks on a lollipop.

When the sun goes down, the movie starts.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.