Relax into summer with movies and live music on Fairhaven Village Green! This year’s Outdoor Cinema is in full swing with “Perfect Pairing” features and live music to enjoy alongside classic concession stand fare. Fairhaven Association Executive Director Heather Carter sat down with WhatcomTalk to bring local film buffs up to speed.
A Little More Action
After a few years of COVID growing pains, the Outdoor Cinema is once again regaling Historic Fairhaven with titans of the silver screen, set up for everyone to enjoy on the Village Green.
“Epic Events did the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema for several years, then it went on a hiatus during COVID,” Carter says. “Then, they reached out to the Fairhaven Association to take it over, so we took it over as our event series last year. We partner with Epic Events. They do all the technical side, and we do all the marketing and creative side.”
“We’re doing a thing called ‘Perfect Pairings’ this season, a themed pair of movies on back-to-back weekends,” she says. “Our opening weekend was ‘Top Gun’and we’re doing ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ to follow.’ Another weekend, we’re doing ‘Finding Nemo,’ and then the next weekend we’re doing ‘Mama Mia’ — like a beach theme.”
Tickets and Concessions
Each ticket purchased goes toward the screening as well as live entertainment prior to the film. “Live music will start, typically, about two hours before the movie and we have a different artist each week,” says Carter.
Tickets are $7 a person if paying in cash and $8 a person if paying via credit card. Kids four and under are free and concession stand tickets are available for $3 each. “Concessions are popcorn, soda, candy, and water,” says Carter.
Sponsors
This year’s presenting sponsor is Village Books, with KAFE 104.1 as media sponsor. Village Books also has a shelf in its store coordinating with the different themes of “Perfect Pairings.”
“Our season sponsors are Ben Kinney – Team Bellingham, Evolve Chocolate + Café, Fairhaven Post & Parcel, FireHouse Arts & Event Center and First Fed,” Carter says. “Our on-Screen sponsors are Ameriprise – Tim Anderson, Bellingham Training & Tennis Club, Hillcrest Church, Keenan’s at the Pier, and Robinson Hardwoods and Home.”
All proceeds from the Outdoor Cinema series go to benefit the Fairhaven Association and its mission to support and enrich the community through elevating small businesses and encouraging tourism. “All of these proceeds go back into ongoing programs and events in Fairhaven,” says Carter.
Zero-Waste Bins
Sustainable Connections has installed zero-waste bins throughout the green, promoting proper disposal of trash and waste. “We’ve noticed in the first few weeks of showings that people are just being a little clumsy with their garbage,” Carter says. “We want to communicate, with kindness, that if you’re bringing in your garbage, please make sure you take it out or use the appropriate zero-waste bins. There are garbage bins at all the entrances and exits of the green.”
The 2023 Summer Outdoor Cinema Lineup
June 24: Top Gun with live entertainment from the Brie Mueller Band
July 1: Top Gun: Maverick with live entertainment from Bayou Opossums
July 8: Finding Nemo with live entertainment from the Song Wranglers
July 15: Mamma Mia with live entertainment from the Quickdraw String Band
July 22: Black Panther with live entertainment from K-Kats
July 29: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with live entertainment from Rose Aiko
August 5: A League of Their Own with entertainment from D’Vas
August 12: Field of Dreams with live entertainment from Cardova
August 19: The Princess and the Frog with live entertainment from Guitars and Gratitude
August 26: The Princess Bride with live entertainment from Birdhouse
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