News editor
About 100 people turned out Saturday for the first in a series of free outdoor movies at Marion County Park and Lake.
Superintendent Steve Hudson said the crowd for “The Sandlot” was about evenly split between lake residents, Marion residents, and out-of-county viewers.
Some took the opportunity to relive the days of drive-in movies, watching from cars and trucks parked at the top of the hill above the stage at the swimming area. Others watched from lawn chairs and blankets.
As they picked up fresh popcorn at the lake hall, people donated to cover the cost of the production, raising $52.
There won’t be a drive-in option to watch “Jaws,” the next movie in the series. A conflict has Hudson scrambling to determine an alternative to the previously announced Aug. 20 showing, however it will be sometime in August, he said.
Lake trailer owners Bill Frairy and Jacob Parks of Newton worked with Hudson to set up the screen and equipment Saturday, but they’ll have to be creative for “Jaws.”
“We’re planning on putting the projection screen on the swimming area dock,” Hudson said. “There’s going to be some challenges. We’ve talked about running a rope between two trees and tying it down that way.”
People literally will be immersed in the event. Attendees are encouraged to buddy up and bring floatation devices, life jackets, and boats.
“Most of it is going to be watching from the water, but we want to encourage people to be in there during the shark scenes,” Hudson said. “We’re going to have some lights set up to light up the swimming area.”
One element is still lacking.
“We haven’t found anybody to put on a shark outfit,” Hudson said.