Frank Speziale Photo

NORWICH – For the third summer families from in and around Norwich are invited to enjoy free “Movies Under the Stars” beginning at dusk every Wednesday featuring family friendly movies spanning from the 1970s to 2018 in East Park or Guernsey Memorial Library Park.

Sponsored by the Norwich Merchants Association, Guernsey Memorial Library, Chenango Arts Council, and the City of Norwich Youth Bureau, Movies Under the Stars began this year on June 20 with a showing of Black Panther and will continue through the end of August featuring other flicks like Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Jurassic World, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2, and more.

While there will be no movie on Wednesday, July 4 because of fireworks over the fairground the same evening, Movies Under the Stars will pick back up Wednesday, July 11 in the library’s park with a showing of Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Asked about if the community turnout has been high for the two showings so far this year – Black Panther and Smokey and the Bandit – Guernsey Memorial Library Director Connie Dalyrmple said, “Oh my goodness, yes. Every year we get more people ... Sometimes we have over 200 people come. It’s been popular with all sorts of ages, too: from babies to people coming in in their wheelchairs and walkers.”

Dalyrmple described Movies Under the Stars as a community coming together: the library chose and sponsored six movies this summer, the Norwich Merchants Association chose and sponsored four. The Norwich youth bureau provides free popcorn at every movie, and the Chenango Arts Council provides a rain location to ensure that each showing will go on regardless of weather.

Movie goers are invited to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs to the showings. In the event of rain, the movies will be shown at the arts council located at 27 West Main Street.

The schedule for upcoming free Movies Under the Stars is: