WCAT Hosts Movies by the Lake in 10th Season

WCAT is excited to announce the popular Movies by the Lake series is in its 10th year! Started in 2015 as a collaboration with Wakefield Recreation Department and WCAT, each year (except 2020) 4-6 movies are shown on the largest outdoor movie on the Lower Common. Residents of Wakefield and surrounding towns enjoy free entertainment. The movies in summer 2015 were The Lego Movie, Jumanji, Guardians of the Galaxy, Back to the Future and The Princess Bride. Residents give input picking the movies each year. This year the movies are Inside Out 2 (July 17), Sonic 3 (July 24), Barbie which was partially rained out last summer, July 31), and Wild Robot (August 7). There is one rain date each year and that is August 14.

The question most often heard is “When do the movies start each evening?” It has 100% to do with the timing of sunset and the best time to start the projection of the movie! Movies earlier in the summer start later – usually by 8:30pm. Later in the summer, movies can start earlier. Come early and enjoy the activities and set up your spot on the lawn! Bring a picnic from area restaurants!

July 17 the Middlesex Concert Band will hold its “Concert by the Lake” at 7pm!

The movies are not possible without the support of a variety of sponsors. Sponsors have the option to be at one or more movies from 6pm-8pm setting up a table or area showcasing their business or organization. They often bring information, give out freebies, provide an activity, meet and greet people, sell products, etc. WCAT provides endless bubbles for the young and young at heart. An average of 300-350 area residents come together in the area in front of the bandstand. Noonan Concessions is available each movie. Movie nights cost approximately $2,500 each with the 32’ movie screen with quad sound (Boston Backyard Movies), licensing for each movie (Swank) and additional minimal expenses. Besides funds from sponsors, collection buckets are passed before each movie is taken.

Sponsors so far this summer are: Multiplatinum: The Savings Bank; Platinum: The Gingerbread Construction Co.; Diamond: Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, First Parish Congregational Church, Golden Rule Lodge, Hobby Bunker, Kids’ Test Kitchen, Reading Cooperative Bank, The Farmland, Wakefield Rotary; and Silver: Main St. Grille and Taphouse and Noonan Concessions. Other organizations involved this summer are Wakefield Porchfest, Odyssey Day School and possibly PAWS. There are a few pending sponsors.

For more information contact WCAT: Barbara Worley 781-224-0300 or barbara.worley@wcat.tv