The popular Rotary Movie Night returns this summer with a showing of the 1939 blockbuster classic “The Wizard of Oz,” on Thursday, Aug. 25, at Avery Park. The event is free and pre-movie family-friendly activities commence at 6 p.m.
After a highly-successful debut organized by the Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis last summer, this year’s movie night features a classic movie under the stars projected at dusk onto a 40-foot screen backed by professional sound equipment.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and music and interactive entertainment will be provided prior to the start of the movie. Attendees are invited to bring their blankets and lawn chairs for the showing, and to come dressed as their favorite character from the movie. Attendees can also purchase chances to win a variety of prizes donated by local businesses.
Although the event is free, proceeds from concession sales, prize tickets and related activities will be used to support the club’s various community service projects and Rotary’s continuing commitment to eradicate polio worldwide. Food and beverage vendors include Woodstock’s Pizza, McWeenie’s Hot Dogs, First Alternative Co-Op, Corvallis Parks and Recreation, Big Tony Brown Barbecue, 2 Towns Cider, Growler Garage and Sky High Brewing.
Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis club members will host a concessions booth and also provide information about Rotary’s local and international service projects.
Notable for its use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling, musical score and unusual characters, “The Wizard of Oz” has become an icon of American popular culture. It made a star of Judy Garland, who played the central character Dorothy Gale, and its wistful “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
“Our Rotary club members chose ‘The Wizard of Oz’ as their preferred movie for this event because it is a classic that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages,” said club president Judy Corwin. “After our inaugural Rotary Movie Night last summer drew 1,500 people to Avery Park, we received many requests to offer the event again so we’re happy to provide an encore.”
In addition to the Rotary club, event sponsors include presenting sponsor Barker-Uerlings Insurance and major sponsors Legend Homes, Direct Mortgage/Van Melick, Running Princess, Fidelity National Title, Samaritan Health Services and Town & Country Realty.
