The Oscar-nominated 2016 Disney animated blockbuster “Moana” will be featured in the first Columbus Parks and Recreation Department’s Movies in the Park series offering to take place at Donner Aquatic Center.
On the immediate surface, it does indeed seem oh-so-fitting: Showing the 2016 Disney ocean-oriented movie “Moana” free at the Donner Aquatic Center, 739 22nd St. in Columbus.
That’s the innovative plan as darkness falls July 26 as part of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department’s Movies in the Park series. Of course, rather than Mill Race Park downtown, which hosts the other family friendly films, this will be at Donner Park, at 22nd and Chestnut streets.
The movie, considered as much for adults as it is for youngsters, follows the track of self-discovery and self-realization, as Moana finds her true leadership qualities through her perils with the help of demigod Maui.
Though other communities have experimented with movies in or at a pool, this will mark local organizers’ first attempt to make such a splash next to the water with its 26-foot, inflatable screen. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and people should bring floaties, pool deck chairs and such.
The gathering will be limited to the first 450 people, which is the aquatics center’s maximum, according to organizers. The first two free movies of this summer at Mill Race attracted about 150 people.
The largest crowd of the three years of the series was more than 300 for “Super Mario Brothers” last year.
And oh — free popcorn will not be available at this showing, as with other flicks.
“Popcorn and pools do not go so well together,” said the department’s Jacob Hendricks, who coordinates the series.
The past two seasons of summer movies indicate that, the earlier that darkness falls, the bigger the crowd for the event. So Hendricks surmises that this gathering will be larger than the previous two.
Miss Rachel’s Neat Treats will be on hand for snacks to purchase.
“I’m really pretty excited about all this,” Hendricks said. “I have noticed that people are still regularly surprised how much free programming that parks and rec does in the summer.”
The Columbus Park Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the department, supports the film series.
Here are the next two movies after this one:
Aug 17: “Shrek.” an embittered ogre named Shrek finds his home in the swamp overrun by fairy tale creatures banished by the obsessive ruler Lord Farquaad.
Oct. 5: “Inside Out 2.” Two groups that don’t get along have to go on a journey together to “save” the character of Riley and annoy one another, but then develop a bond.
