Kicking Off the Summer with Movies
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The recent weather may have gotten the Youngstown Summer Movie Series off to a wet start this week after rescheduling “Back to the Future” to Tuesday due to rain, but organizers are eager for round two with a showing of “Creed 2” next Monday.
Along with the showing of the film, attendees will enjoy special appearances by local boxer Aldejandro “Popo” Salinas of Campbell and former middleweight boxing champion, Kelly Pavlik, says co-organizer Aspasia Lyras.
“They’re going to come and hang out with the kids and watch the movie,” Lyras says.
Each Monday during the summer, movies are shown on the lawn outside of the Covelli Centre, who co-hosts the movie series with the City of Youngstown, Lyras says. All movies are free and open to the public
The following week, there will be a showing of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” to complement the Youngstown Comic Con July 6 and 7, Lyras says. People will also be dressed up in cosplay. Other movies in store for the Summer Movie Series include “The Sandlot,” “School of Rock” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
“[We will also have] a movie at the amphitheater on July 19 and that will be ‘Jurassic Park,’ ” she says. “This year it’s kind of a test. We’re seeing what it’s like over there and seeing if maybe there’s a possibility that the whole thing could move over there. It’s going to be trial and error.”
The movie series was started by a group of people who got the idea after seeing the same thing going on in other parks, including those in Pittsburgh.
“They got together and made it happen. And I’ve heard some stories about the ups and downs of getting it to where it’s at and I love that I can carry that tradition and keep that going every year,” Lyras says. “I do think this is a really special thing the city does provide.”
There is always a nice crowd every Monday night if the weather is nice. Lyras says residents can bring blankets or dinner as well, and concessions like popcorn and candy are also available.
“It’s a nice night for everyone to just get together,” she says. “If there is a rainout on Monday, then the movie shows the following night on Tuesday at 9 p.m. If there’s a rainout on Tuesday, then it adds on to the end of the series. We usually call the rainout at 6 p.m.”
Those interested in coming out for the movie or for updates on cancellations due to rain can visit CityOfYou.org or CovelliCentre.com. They can also go to the Youngstown Summer Movie Series Facebook page.
“That is always up-to-date,” Lyras says. “We’re always letting people know every second if something is happening or if there’s a rainout.”
This year, Lyras is happy with the movie lineup and she is trying to add more to it like having Pavlik come out or a cosplay night when they are showing movies on Mondays.
“We’re trying to bring in the community to blend the two together,” she says. “We do this for the people of Youngstown.”
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
