In what will be a parade of sorts, "Movies in the Park" this week attracts what is hoped to be a legion of Bugs, the iconic car of "The Love Bug" fame. That's Saturday's movie, and sponsor Community Education is asking as many Bug owners as possible to bring their vehicles for a late-summer night of cars and entertainment, be the cars customized, original, souped-up or lovingly dented.
The VW Beetle, first made in Germany, later in the U.S., is a vehicle thoroughly adopted by American culture dating back to the 1960s, and lives on (though purists might differ) in the revitalized New Beetle, a redesign introduced in 1998.
History and opinions on design aside, Saturday's event will be a unique opportunity to celebrate "Herbie" and all his four-wheeled cousins.
If you have not yet attended Families in the Park (each Thursday in August), or the five-year-old tradition Movies in the Park, this week is your final chance in 2011. "Families" and "Movies" will need strong community support when they return in 2012. It's important to remember the businesses and community groups that sponsor the series and the individual events. (The shows are free but the weekly headliners are paid to perform.)
Kudos to director John Rust and the rest of his Community Ed for organizing these events. Visitors or first-timers to Hood River, upon seeing the park packed with people for a free event, regularly express amazement at what is a virtually unique community service.
Both "Movies" and "Families" are free, but here are some reminders about fully enjoying the event: There is no smoking in the park, and for the movies, for those down front should use low chairs or blankets to avoid blocking others' views. Also, our summer nights are getting cooler, so bring a layer of clothing or two.
Oh, and "bug repellent" is optional, but this Saturday, if you can, bring those Bugs!
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