Families Spend Quality Time Together At Annual Eastchester Outdoor Movie Event

After their treat was postponed due to last week's inclement weather, families arrived early on the green at Eastchester's Lake Isle on Saturday evening to join in the festivities of family fun and quality time at the town's annual outdoor movie night. 

Established five years ago by Tony Colavita, Eastchester town supervisor, the outdoor movie event attracts 500-600 people per year, most of them families with young children.

"We had an idea or intention to provide family entertainment during the summer and the old drive-in movie theater idea came about. We thought it would be fun to have an outdoor movie night instead. Popcorn, candy, drinks, and Italian Ice will be available for movie goers to purchase," said Colavita.

 "Every year the town will pick a kid friendly movie with content that appeals to adults. Previous movie selections included: Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark Tales, and Madagascar.  This year's selection of choice is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  It's a great night for people to come out, sit under the stars, enjoy a movie  on a large 50 foot screen, and spend time together," he continued.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a popular children's book that was made into a full length feature film for families. Holland Cogan,6, of Eastchester provided a review of the movie.

"There is lots of food in it, there is all kinds of food— everything you can really imagine.  It keeps falling from the sky.  There is one time where the main character made snow from ice cream for a boy's birthday in the movie. My favorite food in the movie that came from the sky is spaghetti," she said.

Prior to the movie's start after sundown, a local DJ entertained movie goers with music.  He also had children participate in dancing fitness via: Cotton Eyed Joe, The Cha Cha Slide, and Zumba dancing.

Tuckahoe Mayor John Fitzpatrick and State Senator Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester)  stopped by to support the annual event.

"It's a beautiful night. What better way to spend an evening out with family, neighbors and friends. I am sure everyone will enjoy the movie. I am going to try to stay and see the movie myself," Klein said.

For many, like Anne Marie Mancusi and her two sons, watching a movie outdoors is a new experience.

"I think the outdoor movie night is good for the kids. I know they'll really enjoy it.  Even though they've already seen the movie, they have never experienced a movie outdoors on the lawn.  I figured it would be something nice that they would really enjoy.  I have never experienced an open air movie either so I am kind of interested too," Mancusi said.

The Barrentin-Durkin-Caporaso clan are Eastchester natives and outdoor movie night veterans; armed with a big blanket and summer delicacies like barbecued ribs and fried chicken, they were ready to relax and enjoy the night outside because all the planning work was already done.

"The movie experience is nice because you get a chance to sit back with your family.  You're not running around trying to get stuff accomplished.  You just sit and spend quality family time," said Kim Caporaso.

"It's a beautiful evening and I think we are going to have a great time. We get to see people we haven't seen in a long time. It's a very friendly atmosphere," said 40 year resident of Eastchester, Vicki Durkin.

Spending time with family is precious and is something residents in Eastchester such as Michelle Cogan value highly.

"I think it's important that we spend quality time with our children as a family, one-on-one, even if it's outdoors being entertained by a large TV screen.  It's important to be out together and enjoy one another's time. The children grow so quickly it's nice to be able to enjoy them when they are small," Cogan said.