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ROCHESTER — Families and friends can enjoy hits from the big screen under the stars this summer.
Downtown Rochester’s annual Movies in the Moonlight series kicks off July 15 with “Top Gun: Maverick,” rated PG-13, sponsored by Genisys Credit Union.
“Movies in the Moonlight gives Genisys Credit Union a fun opportunity to connect with our community members in an engaging, family-friendly way. The event is a great evening to enjoy downtown Rochester, the fun of pre-show activities, and a free movie night. Come out and join us,” Jackie Buchanan, the president and CEO of Genisys Credit Union, said in a statement.
The downtown Rochester event provides the community with free movies, which are projected onto a large screen near the parking lot at the corner of East Third and Water streets, one block east of Main, at dusk each Saturday night through Aug. 5.
Other featured movies in this year’s lineup include “DC League of Super Pets,” rated PG, sponsored by Lake Michigan Credit Union, on July 22; “Spiderman: No Way Home,” rated PG-13, sponsored by the Linda Rea Team, on July 29; and “Moana,” rated PG, sponsored by Kerner’s Auto Services, on Aug. 5.
“It’s a fun, free activity for people of all ages, whether you are with your friends or your family, you can come watch a movie under the stars,” said Jenna O’Dell, the events coordinator for the Rochester Downtown Development Authority.
Before each movie, starting at 8:30 p.m., attendees can enjoy a different pre-show activity that will incorporate the theme of the film each week.
“For instance, we are going to have a paper airplane contest, so that will be fun to go along with the movie ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’” O’Dell said.
The films begin at dusk, around 9:15 p.m., and will be shown even in light rain, but in the event of inclement weather, organizers will make the call whether to cancel a movie just before the event.
“If the weather becomes severe and we have to cancel, we would make note on our social media pages, as well as send out a text to those who are joined in our texting service,” added O’Dell.
Anywhere from 500 to 1,000 people typically attend each movie, so movie-goers are encouraged to arrive early and to bring their own chairs or blankets to sit on. Attendees can bring their own snacks — alcohol and glass containers are not allowed — or they can purchase hot mini doughnuts, popcorn, lemonade, soda and bottled water from The Little Donut Factory, which will be on-site at each movie.
Additional 2023 Movies in the Moonlight sponsors include: BRUH, CMO Marketing Solutions, Oakland Animal Hospital, O’Connor’s Public House, Rata2ee, Reiki Euphoria, Rochester Laser Center Med Spa, Rochester Mills Beer Co., Rochester Orthodontics, The Roxy, the Royal Park Hotel, The Spice & Tea Exchange, and Tondue Med Spa.
For more information, visit www.downtownrochestermi.com or call (248) 656-0060.
