Family Movie Night to feature the classic 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'

Now that families have settled into their school year routines, the City of Carlsbad is bringing neighbors together for a fun night featuring a classic movie under the stars.

At Family Movie Night in the Park, adults and children can enjoy an evening of games and activities themed around the featured movie, the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

The event, being held from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, at Stagecoach Community Park, will also offer hot dogs, bratwursts, pizza, funnel cakes, ice cream and beverages for sale.

The movie will start at 7:30 p.m., but attendees are encouraged to arrive at 5 p.m. to set up their blankets and low-back chairs.

Rachael Shay, the City of Carlsbad’s special events supervisor, said Family Movie Night is one of the most popular events that the city offers.

"It brings families and friends together in a safe place for the unique experience of seeing a classic movie outside," she said.

Shay said the City of Carlsbad worked hard to incorporate the movie's theme into the entire event.

"Everything is connected to the theme," she said. "All of our games and activities represent characters of the movie."

She adds that attendees will get to mingle with Oompa-Loompas—special guests from the Moonlight Cultural Foundation's Encore Youth Theatre—and enjoy a special performance by Willy Wonka himself.

Face painting and carnival games will be provided for free, and activity wrist-bands, available for purchase for $5 at the event, are required for children to participate in relays and FunZone activities, including two bounce houses and a giant slide.

The bands also grant access to the Veruca Salt-themed egg race and the blueberry blow up, and give children the opportunity to create their own golden ticket.

Relay winners will earn a golden egg, which reveals their prizes. In some of the eggs, children will find golden tickets, meaning a large prize has been won, such as a giant-sized gummy bear and DVDs of the movie.

Shay said the evening is a perfect way to bring families and friends together, which is what makes the City of Carlsbad keep its close-knit community feel.

"Community events are one way we use our parks and open spaces to bring people together," she said.

For information, visit www.carlsbadca.gov/services/departments/parksandrec/pages/family-movie-night.aspx