First Clymer Movie Night To Wrap Up Tulip Festival
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CLYMER -- Clymer's Five Free Fridays movie nights set for the town park in the summer have had a sixth movie added to it in conjunction with the biannual Tulip Festival event in May.
The town of Clymer, in partnership with the Clymer Tulip Festival, will present a free movie to the public on May 18 at 8 p.m. in the Clymer Town Park.
The first movie announced in the series of six is the 2023 Warner Bros. movie "Wonka". This movie is set to help wrap up the Tulip Festival festivities held earlier that day.
Town Board member Levi Swanson came up with the idea for the movie nights, after previous experience with the Bemus Bay Pops.
"I got the idea from my time as an executive assistant to Dan Dalpra and the Bemus Bay Pops," Swanson said. "Our movie series on the Floating Stage was always a hit and I wanted to do something for the people of Clymer like that. It will also showcase the improvements that have been made to the town park."
Improvements to the Clymer Town Park include a new playground, new pavilion, and two area Eagle Scouts have worked on projects involving benches and tables to enhance the park.
Town Supervisor Brian Willink said that the town is glad to help offer this free series of movies to the community.
"We're happy to bring this free movie series to the community and offer something fun for families to do in Clymer," Willink said. "Adding a sixth movie night to support the Clymer Tulip Festival and other organizations in the community is a terrific way to showcase the improvements to our Town Park."
For the first movie on May 18 the Clymer Tulip Festival committee will be offering concessions, with all proceeds going to them. Swanson encouraged people to bring blankets and chairs to the movie, as it is outside at night.
"Come and have a good time," Swanson said. "There will be a large screen and speakers so you will be able to see and hear everything and all movies are rated PG."
Following the showing of "Wonka" on May 18, the remaining five movies will be on consecutive Friday nights beginning on May 31. The rest of the movies are as follows: May 31, "The Lion King" 1994 animated version; June 7, "Secondhand Lions", June 14, "Encanto"; June 21, "The Wizard of Oz" the original version; and June 28, "Sing" released in 2016. All movies are set to begin at 8 p.m. and are weather dependent. There is a two week grace period for all of the movies, which have been rented, and rain dates will be set if needed. For the Tulip Festival, the movie will be moved into Clymer Central School if needed.
Also, before the showing of "Wonka" on May 18 there will be some entertainment. Swanson said this can include music and a type of variety show. Typically, there is a variety show to wrap up the festival on Saturday, but this year Clymer Tulip Festival Committee President Shelly Schenck said they decided to try something new.
"We've traditionally done a variety show after the Tulip Festival, but this year we wanted to try something new and thought this was a nice way to cap off this year's event," Schenck said.
Swanson encouraged everyone to come out to all six of the movies, especially because they are free.
"How many times do you get to sit with your family outside and watch a free movie?" Swanson said. "It is a beautiful setting with the park improvements and there will be concessions, so you will be smelling the popcorn. You can come and watch the movie and enjoy the outdoors."
If everything goes well, Swanson anticipates the free movie nights becoming an annual summer tradition for the town. He added that they are already getting some ideas for the list for next year.
Besides the movie nights, Swanson said there are "big things happening in Clymer" including a new sidewalk project, a water project and a comprehensive plan.
"It's a great community," Swanson said. "Come and enjoy all we have to offer. There are some great businesses and we have so much to offer that no one knows about."