OUTDOOR CINEMA BEGINS THIS MONTH ON VILLAGE GREEN

BELLINGHAM— The Fairhaven Village Green will present a different film every Saturday evening this summer beginning June 26 and ending Aug. 28. Each film will be preceded by entertainment, including live bands, a reader, and a live radio taping.

People begin gathering on the grass several hours before the movie starts to get a good seat and enjoy the atmosphere. As the movies become more popular, the amount of foot traffic through businesses grows as well.

“I think the outdoor cinema is great,” said Dean Richards, a patron of shows in the past. “I love the fact that they show older movies.”

Businesses expect more customers

The shops and restaurants in Fairhaven and near the Village Green look forward to seeing more people on the lawn for a boost in business.

Cody Dickenson, an employee of the Colophon Café, said the café experiences noticeably more business when the outdoor cinema begins. The café is located on the east side of the Village Green.

“People sit at our café’s outdoor seating on Saturday nights,” Dickenson said. “They enjoy desserts and drinks while watching the entertainment.”

Outdoor Cinema is not for everyone

The outdoor cinema is not for everyone. Beverly Noyes, a Fairhaven resident said she and her husband have never attended a film at the Village Green for a number of reasons, but thinks it is a great event for the community.

“We’ve never attended because you have to get there too early to reserve a spot,” Noyes said. “I’m really glad [the outdoor cinema] is there, and there are a lot of people taking advantage of it.”

Popular destination for teenagers

According Dickenson, it is common to see many teenagers around the partitioned-off area who come to talk and hang out. One of those teenagers is Morgan Vanbrink, 14, a Fairhaven Middle school student, who says it is a great place for her and her friends to congregate and spend time with each other.

According to the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema website, Pre-movie seating is $5. Blankets and very low back lawn chairs are permitted on the grass; any other lawn chairs are permitted on the brick areas.

Food and beverages offered include popcorn, candy and soda. Outside food and beverages are also permitted.

The outdoor cinema schedule can be viewed at http://www.fairhaven.com/events/C17/.