Families gathered on the lawn outside the Huntingdon Valley Library on Sept. 19 for an evening of entertainment, snacks and community spirit as Lower Moreland Township sponsored its annual outdoor movie night in collaboration with the Huntingdon Valley Library.
This year's event took on a pirate theme in celebration of International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Families brought blankets, lawn chairs and picnic dinners before settling in to watch the animated 2012 film “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” on a giant inflatable screen.
The first families began arriving around 6:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 7 p.m.
Vanessa Nelson, head of youth services at Huntingdon Valley Library, said the pirate theme came from the coincidence of the movie night falling on Sept. 19, the unofficial holiday celebrating all things pirate.
“I remembered it was on September 19, which just happened to be the day of our movie,” Nelson said.
Nelson said she had encountered the holiday years ago while working at a previous job, where a manager encouraged employees to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day.
“So I thought it would be fun to have a themed pirate movie night,” she said.
Library staff embraced the theme, dressing in pirate costumes and handing out small pirate-themed giveaways. The snack table featured Pirate's Booty, adding another touch to the evening.
The event has been a Lower Moreland Township tradition for several decades, with the library handling the planning and organization while the township provides resources and sponsorship.
“The evening always provides a festive atmosphere, where families come to enjoy time together,” Nelson said. “I like seeing the kids running around before the movie. It offers a great sense of community.”
The outdoor movie night was moved from October to September several years ago to avoid a busy schedule of other community events and to provide warmer weather for families.
For families attending, the evening offered an opportunity to spend time outdoors and connect with neighbors.
Kristen Fink of Huntingdon Valley attended with her husband, Brandon, and their daughters, Olivia, 6, and Aubrey, 4. The girls arrived in pajamas, ready for the movie.
“We decided to come out to enjoy this beautiful fall evening and get the girls out for a change of scenery,” Brandon Fink said.
Kristen Fink said the event provided a chance for the family to enjoy the outdoors together. They brought an outdoor picnic to eat before the movie and saw several of the girls' classmates.
“It’s a nice excuse to get outdoors and get some fresh air,” she said. “It’s just a nice family night out.”
Natalie of Huntingdon Valley attended with her 6½-year-old daughter, Olivia.
“I thought it would be nice to watch a movie under the stars together and have some quality time with my daughter,” she said.
Helen Rosner, who lives nearby, also attended with her children.
“I love bringing my children to the library, so I thought it would be nice to come out to support it and also enjoy this nice community event,” Rosner said.
Denise Kuritz, president of the Lower Moreland Township Board of Commissioners representing Ward 6 and the township's liaison for community events, said movie night was part of a longstanding effort to bring residents together.
“I’ve been involved in the community for 41 years,” Denise said. “As long as I’ve been a commissioner, there has been a movie night.”
She said the event gives residents an opportunity to step away from their devices and spend time outside.
“Families like to come and the kids love it,” she said. “It brings everyone together.”
Local school volunteers also helped with the event.
For Nelson, the movie night represented more than an opportunity to watch a film. She said the library strives to serve as a gathering place for Lower Moreland residents, particularly because the township did not have a separate community center.
“We want the library to be a center for the community,” Nelson said. “We like to provide opportunities like this for families to get together and have fun.”
As Kuritz looked at families sitting together and watching the movie, she reflected on what the event meant to her and the community.
“This is what it’s all about,” she said. “It’s about community, togetherness, doing something positive and giving back to this wonderful community.”
Coming up in October, the township has several other community events planned. The Huntingdon Valley Fire Company will host its Fire Prevention Open House on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 636 Red Lion Rd. The event will include hands-on safety activities, information about smoke alarms and home safety, fire truck tours, giveaways and refreshments. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.” Join the Township, Public Works, and the Huntingdon Valley Library for their Open House behind the Fire Company.
The township's annual Trunk or Treat will follow on Oct. 17 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Public Works Yard on Heaton Road. The event will be a drive-through Halloween experience, with parents driving their children through the event in their vehicles.
Families will drive slowly along the route and stop at stations where children will be able to collect candy from decorated vehicles representing local community groups, police and fire departments. Children will be encouraged to wear costumes and bring a bag for their treats. If possible, please bring canned goods for the annual food drive.
For information about other upcoming events, visit the Huntingdon Valley Library at hvlibrary.org or the Lower Moreland Township at www.lowermoreland.org.
