A New Film Tradition – City Cinemas in the Park
By City Manager Ken Striplin
The City of Santa Clarita traces its historical roots back generations. Although we celebrate 35 years of cityhood this December, the growth of Santa Clarita can be tied to Hollywood for more than a century. From the silent Westerns featuring hometown superstar William S. Hart to blockbusters like “Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood,” Santa Clarita has served as the setting for countless movies that have delighted audiences around the world.
Taking your family to see the latest movie has always been a favorite pastime for Santa Clarita residents. Whether you piled into the car to go to the drive-in theater on a Saturday, stood in line for a midnight showing of the latest Star Wars movie or enjoy discovering new independent films at the Laemmle Newhall, there has always been an option to see your favorite stories come to life on the big screen.
A new era of movie-watching has begun in Santa Clarita that brings a fresh yet familiar opportunity to rediscover some of Hollywood’s greatest productions. City Cinemas in the Park blends a traditional drive-in atmosphere with a relaxing evening under the stars to create a summer series you won’t want to miss. The first City Cinemas in the Park event took place on July 15, and there are three more showings on the schedule this summer – July 29 (Guardians of the Galaxy), August 12 (Shrek) and August 26 (The Goonies).
The City hosted City Cinemas movie screenings last summer at East Walker Ranch Open Space, where a limited number of residents could enjoy a drive-in movie in a picturesque setting. We have decided to move the series to Central Park this year for a more family-friendly event that can accommodate more residents!
Utilizing the same space and setup as Concerts in the Park, City Cinemas in the Park allows thousands of residents to bring out lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a movie while having fun with their families and neighbors. As you arrive at Central Park, you will first want to stake out your ideal spot for watching the movie.
Starting at 7:00 p.m., food trucks will be on-site selling a variety of items, or you can feel free to pack a picnic or bring takeout from your favorite Santa Clarita restaurant. At approximately 8:15 p.m., make sure that you are in your seat so that you don’t miss the opening credits!
I hope that you will take this opportunity to create lasting memories with your family in a whole new way. You can learn more about City Cinemas in the Park by visiting the City of Santa Clarita online at santa-clarita.com/Events.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
