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St. Josephs Parks and Recreation Revives Movies in the Park Series for 2026
St. Joseph’s Parks and Recreation Department is rolling out a fresh slate of Movies in the Park for the summer of 2026, promising seven Saturday‑night family‑friendly screenings from July 11 to August 29. Each film starts at 7:30 p.m., and the event remains free—attendees are encouraged to bring their own seats and snacks for a relaxed, communal movie night.
The 2026 lineup, all set in the city’s beloved parks, is as follows: • July 11 – National Treasure at Milton Park • July 18 – Zootopia 2 at Whittlesey Park • August 1 – A Minecraft Movie at Milton Park • August 8 – GOAT at Whirlpool Centennial Park • August 15 – Hoppers at Milton Park • August 22 – The Super Mario Galaxy at Whirlpool Centennial Park • August 29 – Napoleon Dynamite at Milton Park
Recreation Manager Bethany Ballard, who took the helm in May, announced that the series will feature new interactive elements. The first of these is a petting‑zoo experience slated for the July 18 screening. Open Arms Petting Farm will set up a mobile petting zoo in Whittlesey Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., showcasing rescue animals—including miniature horses, goats, rabbits, mini donkeys, and alpacas—to add a tactile dimension to the evening.
Ballard explained that the petting‑zoo concept is a first for the program. She is exploring additional interactive activities for the remaining nights but has not announced any specific plans beyond the July event.
If the weather turns hostile, the department has a contingency in place. Movies will be shown in a drive‑in format on the parking lot of the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena, ensuring that families can still enjoy the screenings regardless of outdoor conditions.
"Movies are a great way for families to get out and enjoy the parks and have something free to do," Ballard said. "It’s fun to make the experience more than just a movie and give them a full evening of fun. The movie is a nice starting point, and then it’s kind of fun to see what we can do to expand from there."
The Movies in the Park series is part of St. Joseph’s broader effort to provide low‑cost, family‑oriented entertainment and to encourage community use of city parks. The program has been a staple of the city’s summer calendar for several years, and its return is expected to attract residents who have missed the event during the pandemic‑related hiatus.
At this time, no additional dates or films have been announced beyond the July 11–August 29 schedule. The department will continue to evaluate weather‑related contingencies and potential interactive additions as the summer progresses.
The series remains a free, community‑focused event that combines popular family films with park‑based activities, offering residents an accessible option for weekend entertainment.
The 2026 lineup, all set in the city’s beloved parks, is as follows: • July 11 – National Treasure at Milton Park • July 18 – Zootopia 2 at Whittlesey Park • August 1 – A Minecraft Movie at Milton Park • August 8 – GOAT at Whirlpool Centennial Park • August 15 – Hoppers at Milton Park • August 22 – The Super Mario Galaxy at Whirlpool Centennial Park • August 29 – Napoleon Dynamite at Milton Park
Recreation Manager Bethany Ballard, who took the helm in May, announced that the series will feature new interactive elements. The first of these is a petting‑zoo experience slated for the July 18 screening. Open Arms Petting Farm will set up a mobile petting zoo in Whittlesey Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., showcasing rescue animals—including miniature horses, goats, rabbits, mini donkeys, and alpacas—to add a tactile dimension to the evening.
Ballard explained that the petting‑zoo concept is a first for the program. She is exploring additional interactive activities for the remaining nights but has not announced any specific plans beyond the July event.
If the weather turns hostile, the department has a contingency in place. Movies will be shown in a drive‑in format on the parking lot of the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena, ensuring that families can still enjoy the screenings regardless of outdoor conditions.
"Movies are a great way for families to get out and enjoy the parks and have something free to do," Ballard said. "It’s fun to make the experience more than just a movie and give them a full evening of fun. The movie is a nice starting point, and then it’s kind of fun to see what we can do to expand from there."
The Movies in the Park series is part of St. Joseph’s broader effort to provide low‑cost, family‑oriented entertainment and to encourage community use of city parks. The program has been a staple of the city’s summer calendar for several years, and its return is expected to attract residents who have missed the event during the pandemic‑related hiatus.
At this time, no additional dates or films have been announced beyond the July 11–August 29 schedule. The department will continue to evaluate weather‑related contingencies and potential interactive additions as the summer progresses.
The series remains a free, community‑focused event that combines popular family films with park‑based activities, offering residents an accessible option for weekend entertainment.
