By Sean Delaney
It was a perfect summer evening in Emery Village on June 27th as hundreds of local families came out to celebrate the end of the school year with our latest Movie in the Park event at Joseph Bannon Park — and what a turnout it was. With the weather holding off just enough to keep the rain at bay, it turned into one of our best-attended evenings yet.
The festivities began earlier in the afternoon for the latest Movie in the Park event at Joseph Bannon Park hosted by the Emery Village BIA. Pet Valu returned for their second year, proudly representing their Emery Village Plaza location. Staff from Pet Valu collected donations to help dogs up for adoption and handed out free treats for moviegoers to enjoy with their pets. Noodlebox delighted the crowd with bubble tea and signature noodle dishes, while Pizzaiolo served up piping hot slices. Pizza Maker Pizza added their own flavour to the mix, and of course, the ever-popular 416 Softee Ice Cream truck kept everyone cool with soft serve and frozen treats.
Staff from Councillor Anthony Perruzza’s office, MP Judy Sgro’s team — including her manager, Amy — and MPP Tom Rakocevic’s office welcomed moviegoers and handed out small gifts and information.
A lively DJ kept the little ones dancing as the sun began to set. The splash pad and jungle gyms were in full swing, and Ontario Inflatables brought in two big bouncy castles. Face painting added another colourful touch, with special thanks to Michael from MPP Rakocevic’s office for lending his artistic talents.
Councillor Perruzza spoke about a renewed Canadian spirit and the excitement building toward Canada Day. MP Judy Sgro welcomed everyone and wished all a safe and happy summer, while MPP Rakocevic brought his usual energy, rallying the crowd before the movie began.
The Emery Village BIA works hard to bring events like this to life. Board member Jessica Gaglia, as she has done for several years now, was on hand at the BIA kiosk to serve hot dogs and snacks with her signature smile. None of this would be possible without amazing volunteers — preparing food, helping with setup and making sure everyone had a seat and a great view, their efforts made the night run smooth. A quick shoutout as well to Al Ruggero from the BIA, who worked tirelessly all day helping to organize business kiosks and set up the many rows of chairs.
The feature film, Inside Out 2, was the perfect choice — fun, heartfelt, and enjoyed by all ages.
Emery Village BIA Executive Director Sandra Farina shared how thrilled she was with the incredible turnout and the strong sense of community on display.
See you at the next one.