Exedra Asks | Families return to movies in the park

Families and friends gather on July 30 for the return of the Rec Department's summer Movie in the Park tradition

Text has been edited for clarity and length.

On Friday, July 30, the Piedmont Exedra got the chance to speak with moviegoers at Piedmont Park who were set to watch the animated movie Sing, the first featured film of the Piedmont Recreation Department’s 2021 Movie in the Park series. The well-loved free summer tradition is back after a year of shut-downs. There are two more movies set for 2021: Trolls World Tour will be shown on August 27 at 7:45 p.m. and Bee Movie will be shown on September 17 at 7:20 p.m.

Jess and Erika T. with their son Miles (entering 1st grade at Beach this year)

When was the last time you saw a movie on the big screen? It was over two years ago, we saw a Star Wars movie. We can barely remember at this point!

How does it feel to gather as a community tonight in the park? Great! This is our first Piedmont Movie in the Park. It’s perfect that it’s outside because Miles used to be afraid of the movie theater.

What is your favorite part of Piedmont’s Movie in the Park? Miles: My favorite part is the songs in the movie! Jess: It’s nice that it’s outside and it’s something we can look forward to.


Liz L. with her son Fritz and their dog Lulu. Fritz is entering 5th grade at Head Royce this year.

When was the last time you saw a movie on the big screen? One or two years ago — the last time we saw a movie on the big screen was the last Movie in the Park. This is the only movie theater we go to!

How does it feel to gather as a community tonight in the park? Fritz: It’s really fun because I get to meet new people and see the people that I already know. This is one of those places where you get to run into friends and people you know.

What is your favorite part of Piedmont’s Movie in the Park? Watching it outside with a bunch of friends in our community. We like that Piedmont is a tight knit community. And that we get to bring our dinner and sleeping bags!


Tiffany Chang with her father Grandpa Spin and her kids Justin (8 years old) & Jonathan (6 years old). Justin is entering 3rd grade and Jonathan is entering 1st grade at Head Royce.

When was the last time you saw a movie on the big screen? We saw the last Movie in the Park here 2 years ago.

How does it feel to gather as a community tonight in the park? It’s so nice to be here and see people out. It makes me happy that we’re back out again.

Justin: Two thumbs up.

Jonathan: A lot of thumbs up!

What is your favorite part of Piedmont’s Movie in the Park? It’s so relaxing. We bring pillows and get to watch movies in nature. It’s just very cozy.


Emerson Schul, 7 years old, entering 3rd grade at Havens

When was the last time you saw a movie on the big screen? The last time I saw a movie on the big screen was before COVID a couple years ago.

How does it feel to gather as a community tonight in the park? It feels very nice because I’m not usually around so many friends because of COVID.

What is your favorite part of Piedmont’s Movie in the Park? Meeting up with my friends to watch the movie together.


Sharon Katz with her granddaughters Millie (6 years old, in purple) and Iris (4 years old, in blue)

When was the last time you saw a movie on the big screen? We’ve never seen a movie in the park before, but the last time we saw a movie on the big screen was before COVID. We saw Frozen 2 in the movie theater for a playdate.

How does it feel to gather as a community tonight in the park? It feels great! It feels like we are a part of something.

What is your favorite part of Piedmont’s Movie in the Park? It’s a chance for us all to be together. Iris: I like the big screen and the popcorn!

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