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Movies in the Park offers family fun at Bonita's Riverside Park

By LIANE SMITH (Contact)

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Movie lovers — this Saturday it's time to round up the family, or your date of choice, for the first outdoor showing of "Wizard of Oz" in Bonita Springs at Riverside Park.

The community event was formulated by former Bonitan Cameron Paine as a way to bring the community, their friends, family and neighbors, together in one location to meet and greet, while enjoying the sights and sounds of classic movies.

"I think it's just a classic idea," Bonita Springs City Councilman Ben Nelson said in November.

The Bonita-Estero Board of Realtors is working with the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce to pay the bill for the special events, which come with a price tag of about $5,000 for the three movies. That price includes licensing fees to show the movies and rental of a projection screen. The city council agreed to participate with inkind services, such as traffic patrol and set-up of the event.

According to Nancy Keefer, chamber president, after gauging the interest from the first three showings, the groups involved will decide if anymore will be shown.

"The event is intended to get people to see how things are changing in Bonita Springs," Keefer said.

Russell's Clambakes will provide beverages, popcorn, and ice cream at the scheduled movies. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go toward costs of the event, while the remaining proceeds will benefit the Bonita Springs Assistance Office.

"I hope people understand the concept," Paine said. He won't have the opportunity to participate in the idea he helped cultivate, because he is moving before the end of the year to Connecticut, he said.

"It's really not going to be a quiet movie theater," Paine said. "It's an outdoor movie and it's meant to be a family event."

Riverside Park is located on Old 41 across from the landmark banyan tree.