Easton Prepares for Movies at the Mill

It's called but the annual film festival at the old Simon Silk Mill has grown to become a celebration of all sorts of art.

In announcing the festival's return on Friday, city officials said that's in keeping with their ultimate : a place where people can live, but also work on artistic pursuits.

"It showcases culinary arts, it showcases musical arts," Mayor Sal Panto told reporters at the mill. "This is what we want here, a creative community."

Now in its fourth year, Movies at the Mill will screen nine -- possibly 10 -- films starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22.

Festival director Gershon Hinkson said the subject matter ranges from "the child's imagination" to more realistic issues like divorce. Some movies were made here in Easton; others come from as far away as Hungary.

Hinkson said he was encouraged that some of this year's films come from people whose works had been turned down by Movies at the Mill in the past.

"Those same filmmakers didn't give up on themselves or on Movies at the Mill," Hinkson said.

This year's festival includes music by the Floyd King Quartet, as well as a video of work by Allentown artist Vicki DaSilva, whose images appeared in Times Square. 

In addition to visual and musical arts, the festival will also showcase local culinary artists.

This year's restaurant lineup includes: ,, , , , and , with desserts from , The and the .

Tickets for the event are $10 in advance, or $15 at the gate. This year, for the first time, the festival will be able to offer visitors the option of paying by credit or debit card, thanks to sponsor Merchants Bank.

Also new this year: a big tent over the "theater" area. After three years without rain, organizers said they no longer want to gamble with the weather.

The property is being redeveloped by VM Development, the same company that's revamping the .

Even when the development is finished, Movies at the Mill will continue, Panto said. 

Gretchen Longenbach, of the city's Redevelopment Authority, said that when Movies at the Mill began, the property itself was a big part of the attraction.

"Now," she said, "I think they're coming for the films."