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Movies by moonlight
Jun 22, 2009 (Bluefield Daily Telegraph - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
BLUEFIELD, Va. -- With a veil of stars serving as a backdrop and the warmth of a community gathered for a night of positive social interaction, the Town of Bluefield, Va., launched its fourth season of "Sunset At The Square" Saturday night in Jack Asbury Square.
"This is just an absolutely great activity for children, families and people of all ages," Mike Watson, Bluefield, Va. town manager said before the start of this season's inaugural movie, "Beverly Hills Chihuahua." A crowd of 200 people sat in lawn chairs or relaxed on blankets to watch a movie on a perfectly beautiful night in the heart of Virginia's Tallest Town.
"This is a perfect event, Watson said. "It's a good, safe atmosphere and a perfect place for people of all ages to enjoy a good movie and socialize. Greg Quesenberry and Nick Ball have done a great job of lining up sponsors to provide free soft drinks and they bring the popcorn maker up from Harmony Acres swimming pool to provide free popcorn. The kids love it and so do the adults."
Misty Mooney of Bluefield, Va., said she and her husband, Darryl, bring their children Channing, Taylor and Hannah to Sunset in the Square every Saturday night during the summer. She pointed out at least another 20-or-so people including neighbors and friends who all get together every Saturday night to enjoy an evening together.
"We have been coming here for the last two summers," Misty Mooney said. "It's fun. Our kids like to come here so they can talk to their friends."
"Socialize," Darryl Mooney interjected with a smile.
"It is nice," Misty Mooney continued. "It's an outdoor activity that families can enjoy together. This will be our third summer here. It's always a lot of fun."
Quesenberry and Ball came up with the idea together, and received town council's approval to start hosting the Saturday night movies four years ago, even before the town bought an outdoor screen for the viewing.
"This is good family entertainment," Ball said. "We try to get the most recent release we can get each week. All of the movies we have are for the whole family. We have really great support from local businesses to help us out, and we have nice prizes to give away during the movies."
Ricky Brown of Bluefield, Va., said Sunset At The Square is a big benefit for young families. "Our kids are too old for kid meals anymore, so going out to eat -- no matter where we go -- can cost us $80 or more," Brown said. "The kids love this. We love it. It's great family fun."
The curtain goes up every Saturday night, weather permitting, at about 8:45 p.m. The movies are all recent releases, the popcorn and the stars are free.
-- Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com
To see more of Bluefield Daily Telegraph, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go
to http://www.bdtonline.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, Bluefield Daily Telegraph,
W.Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email
tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax
to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave.,
Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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