VERMILION — Vermilion families will once again have a reason to head outdoors this summer as Movies in the Parks returns for the 2026 season.
The Vermilion Parks and Recreation Board previously approved the request from Main Street Vermilion, allowing organizers to revive the popular community tradition across two park locations.
Main Street Vermilion Executive Director Kate Repola said the idea was driven by community interest and quickly grew into a partnership with the Showse Park Revitalization and Transformation Committee, which had also been exploring outdoor movie nights.
Four nights planned across two parks
Under the plan, four movie nights will be held across Showse Park and East Exchange Park.
Showings are scheduled for:
- June 26
- July 31
- August 28
- September 25
Movies will begin at dusk, with earlier start times later in the season as daylight hours shorten. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.
Showse Park lineup
Two of the events will take place at Showse Park:
- June 26: The Peanuts Movie (G)
- July 31: The Sandlot (PG)
The July 31 showing will also include a family fun fair beginning two hours before the movie.
East Exchange Park lineup
The remaining two events will be held at East Exchange Park:
- August 28: Spies in Disguise (PG)
- September 25: The Pagemaster (G)
Community effort behind the scenes
Repola said organizers partnered with FunFlicks, a professional outdoor movie company, to handle setup and teardown for each event.
Volunteers from both Main Street Vermilion and the Showse Park committee will serve as on-site support and help raise funds to cover costs.
Free popcorn will be available at each showing.
The movie series is supported by Aunt Ruth’s Lil Store, the Kiwanis Club of Vermilion, Eco Tree, Trinity Lutheran Church and Shores & Islands Ohio. Free popcorn will be provided courtesy of Poppin’ Around.
Weather plans handled case by case
Rain dates have not been scheduled due to the unpredictability of summer weather. If a showing is canceled, organizers will determine next steps on a case-by-case basis.
A shared community series
The 2026 season will be promoted under one unified name, Movies in the Parks, reflecting the joint effort between the two organizations.
Repola said the effort to bring the event back was rooted in community demand, including families who remembered attending in years past.
“They would take their children there and now they would like to take their grandchildren to Movies in the Park,” Repola said.
