Movies at Adams Park attract up to 250 viewers

Paula Holtz, Tecumseh’s economic development director, said she was pleased with the inaugural year of Movies in the Park, a local event that hosted movies in Adams Park next to Tecumseh City Hall throughout the summer and early fall.

“We’re very pleased by the community support in terms of attendance and the commitment to fundraising,” Holtz said, adding she was very happy with the event.

Attendance ranged from about 75 to up to 250 depending on the movie played, Holtz added. Kids movies were the favorites of the movie series.

Mother nature didn’t always cooperate. There was one cancellation due to the weather and “American Graffiti,” which was the last movie of the season in October, had very low attendance. Coupled with high winds, that movie was stopped before it ended.

Holtz said the wind and the season’s first bout of cold weather hurt attendance to the October movie. However, she added the city is looking forward to another great year.

Going forward, Holtz said there would be electrical improvements made to the park to facilitate the event there long-term.

Next year’s Movies in the Park should start in June at the latest, and there could be additional kid activities. Holtz said there could be only one movie a month, adding next year’s Movies in the Park series is still in the planning stages.

Movies in the Park was funded by $17,011 in donations and a $14,650 grant from the State of Michigan. Equipment, which included a 20-foot-by-11-foot inflatable screen, high-definition projector, pro-audio mixer, two 450-watt speakers, Blu-ray player, screen repair kit, air blower and various cords, cost $16,449.