by Dan Mundt
A new legacy
“Space Jam: A New Legacy” will be the movie this Saturday night in Washington Park.
“I think the kids are going to love it,” said Jennifer Smith, who is the main organizer of the event.
“It adheres to this sports theme; Last year when we did a “back to school” movie, it was “Remember the Titans.”
“Space Jam: A New Legacy” is a 2021 sports comedy film that combines live action and animation.
It features NBA player LeBron James and a host of Looney Tunes characters from Warner Bros.
It is a sequel to the 1996 Michael Jordan/Bugs Bunny film “Space Jam”.
In the film, an evil artificial intelligence named Al-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle) kidnaps James’ son; James must then team up with Bugs Bunny and other cartoon characters to get his son back.
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Ryan Coogler, known for directing the “Rocky” sequel “Creed” and the Marvel films “Black Panther,” was one of the producers.
The movie will be just one of many attractions in Washington Park Saturday night.
“It will start at 6 p.m. with our outdoor family games,” Smith said. “I think we’re up to 16 outdoor family games; everything from volleyball, badminton, corn hole and some I’ve never heard of or played myself like kubb (a lawn game of knocking over wooden blocks with wooden clubs) and kan jam (a game that uses flying discs).
The games were donated by Smith’s firm, Zupp and Zupp Law Firm, Smith’s Concrete Company (her husband’s company), The Boutique, Denison Parks & Rec and Market in the Park.
Food vendors will also open at 6 p.m
The same taco truck that was at last month’s event, Taqueria La Tapatia Taquizas, will be on hand again.
“They’re the ones that sometimes set up at the football fields, the little blue trailer, they’re great,” Smith said.
Panadería Dulce Tentación, new to Main Street in Denison, will be selling sweets during the event.
“Parks & Rec will be selling popcorn, nachos, hamburgers and hot dogs,” he said. “So we have a little bit of everything.”
Smith said he has a good team to help organize a movie night in the park.
Gordon Sauck of Innovative Audio of Denison volunteered to provide a sound system and set it up for the films.
“He and Sam Ellis from Parks & Rec have been great with every little thing,” Smith said. “He’s been there the whole time and he’s looking forward to the next one.”
Broadway Dental is this weekend’s movie sponsor; Licensing fees to play movies cost about $465.
Staff members had custom T-shirts to promote the film; the image features owner Doug Soseman in a pose related to the film.
In the past, Movie Night in Washington Park has partnered with Market in the Park, but Smith noted that Market in the Park will not be there this Saturday.
Instead, “Market at the Farm” will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a barn owned by Kevin and Diane Fineran, parents of Market in the Park organizer Grant Fineran.
The location is north of Denison at 1988 253rd Street.
Smith said Grant Fineran is providing the bounce houses for Saturday’s movie night.
“And you know Grant will be here, there, everywhere helping us,” he said. “It’s going to be a long day.”
About 300 people attended the screening of “The Lost City” in July, Smith said.
“Everything went off without a hitch,” he said. “Our vendors were there and I think they were busy all night. It was an excellent night and we’re looking forward to the next one.”
“Space Jam: A New Legacy” will begin at dark on Saturday, around 8:30 p.m.
