Blab Entertainment
East Grand Rapids Announces Final Movies in the Park Screening of Remember the Titans on Sept. 19
Sunset over Reeds Lake will soon bring the roar of a football stadium to East Grand Rapids as the city wraps up its 2026 Movies in the Park series with a free screening of Remember the Titans on Saturday, September 19. The 2000 sports drama will be projected onto a large inflatable screen along the lake’s shore at John Collins Park, with the first frame lighting up at dusk.
This will be the fourth and final screening of the summer season, following last year’s choices of How to Train Your Dragon, Superman, and Inside Out 2. Admission is free, but residents are encouraged to arrive early, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and bring their own snacks to enjoy the outdoor experience.
John Collins Park is a 3‑acre public space that has long served as a gathering place on the banks of Reeds Lake. The park’s amenities include a public boat launch, overlook decks, picnic tables, and a versatile event area that has hosted concerts, the annual Fourth‑of‑July celebration, and the Reeds Lake Run.
The Movies in the Park series began in 2023 under the direction of the East Grand Rapids Recreation Department. The initiative offers free summer movie nights that appeal to families and a broad audience. The 2026 lineup has ranged from animated features to action blockbusters.
Remember the Titans, directed by Boaz Yakin and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, tells the true story of coach Herman Boone, portrayed by Denzel Washington, and his effort to integrate the T.C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. The screenplay, written by Gregory Allen Howard, also stars Ryan Hurst as Gerry Bertier and Wood Harris as Julius Campbell. The film has since become a staple of sports‑film collections.
The choice of Remember the Titans underscores East Grand Rapids’ emphasis on community, teamwork, and inclusivity—values that mirror the spirit of the Movies in the Park program. Its themes of overcoming division and building unity resonate with the diverse residents of the city, which is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
East Grand Rapids is an autonomous city in Kent County with a 2020 population of 11,371. Its proximity to Grand Rapids and its own municipal services allow it to host events that draw residents from the surrounding region. The park’s lakeside location offers a scenic backdrop for the outdoor movie experience.
The Recreation Department has coordinated the event with local vendors and volunteers to ensure a smooth operation. While the screening itself is free, residents are encouraged to support the program by volunteering or contributing to future events.
The final Movies in the Park screening will begin at dusk on September 19, with the film projected onto the inflatable screen. Attendees are advised to arrive early to secure a comfortable viewing spot, as the park’s open layout can fill quickly during peak evening hours.
After the screening, the park will return to its usual open‑space use, and the city will resume its regular summer programming, including concerts and community gatherings. Residents can look forward to the next season’s Movies in the Park series, scheduled to begin in early June 2027.
In summary, East Grand Rapids will conclude its 2026 summer Movies in the Park series with a free outdoor screening of Remember the Titans on September 19 at John Collins Park. The event underscores the city’s commitment to community entertainment and provides an opportunity for residents to enjoy a classic sports film in a scenic lakeside setting.
This will be the fourth and final screening of the summer season, following last year’s choices of How to Train Your Dragon, Superman, and Inside Out 2. Admission is free, but residents are encouraged to arrive early, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and bring their own snacks to enjoy the outdoor experience.
John Collins Park is a 3‑acre public space that has long served as a gathering place on the banks of Reeds Lake. The park’s amenities include a public boat launch, overlook decks, picnic tables, and a versatile event area that has hosted concerts, the annual Fourth‑of‑July celebration, and the Reeds Lake Run.
The Movies in the Park series began in 2023 under the direction of the East Grand Rapids Recreation Department. The initiative offers free summer movie nights that appeal to families and a broad audience. The 2026 lineup has ranged from animated features to action blockbusters.
Remember the Titans, directed by Boaz Yakin and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, tells the true story of coach Herman Boone, portrayed by Denzel Washington, and his effort to integrate the T.C. Williams High School football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. The screenplay, written by Gregory Allen Howard, also stars Ryan Hurst as Gerry Bertier and Wood Harris as Julius Campbell. The film has since become a staple of sports‑film collections.
The choice of Remember the Titans underscores East Grand Rapids’ emphasis on community, teamwork, and inclusivity—values that mirror the spirit of the Movies in the Park program. Its themes of overcoming division and building unity resonate with the diverse residents of the city, which is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
East Grand Rapids is an autonomous city in Kent County with a 2020 population of 11,371. Its proximity to Grand Rapids and its own municipal services allow it to host events that draw residents from the surrounding region. The park’s lakeside location offers a scenic backdrop for the outdoor movie experience.
The Recreation Department has coordinated the event with local vendors and volunteers to ensure a smooth operation. While the screening itself is free, residents are encouraged to support the program by volunteering or contributing to future events.
The final Movies in the Park screening will begin at dusk on September 19, with the film projected onto the inflatable screen. Attendees are advised to arrive early to secure a comfortable viewing spot, as the park’s open layout can fill quickly during peak evening hours.
After the screening, the park will return to its usual open‑space use, and the city will resume its regular summer programming, including concerts and community gatherings. Residents can look forward to the next season’s Movies in the Park series, scheduled to begin in early June 2027.
In summary, East Grand Rapids will conclude its 2026 summer Movies in the Park series with a free outdoor screening of Remember the Titans on September 19 at John Collins Park. The event underscores the city’s commitment to community entertainment and provides an opportunity for residents to enjoy a classic sports film in a scenic lakeside setting.
