Yet another sign of the summer season has arrived. Friday night marks the debut of Bridgeport Parks and Recreation’s summer movie series. The first flick “Minions” will show on the big inflatable screen at dusk – around 9 p.m. - Friday at Bridgeport City Park. 

 

Each year, residents flock to the park – with chairs, blankets and snacks in tow – to enjoy the hometown experience, said Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth. 

 

“We like these types of free, family-oriented programs that bring people out into the park to enjoy themselves with their friends and neighbors,” he said. “They signal that summer and nice weather that everyone looks forward to are here and they also represent the small town sense of community that we are all about.” 

 

Rated PG for action and slightly rude humor, the animated “Minions” was released in the summer of 2015. The movie features the bright yellow creatures that have become very popular with children. According to the movie, they evolved from single-celled yellow organisms and were created to serve, thereafter finding themselves working for a series of unsuccessful masters – from T. Rex to Napoleon. The storyline features Kevin, who accompanied by his pals Stuart and Bob, seeks a new evil boss for the Minions to follow. 

 

With recent evening temperatures dipping into the 50s, Shuttleworth said blankets might be a particularly good idea. 

 

A group from Fellowship Bible Church will be on site popping popcorn for tomorrow night's movie audience. Like the movie, the popcorn will be free of charge. 

 

Friday night’s movie in the park will be followed by a pair of “Dive-In Movies” at Bridgeport Pool. They will be projected on the same big inflatable screen, but this time, movie enthusiasts can watch from pool floats and rafts. Regular pool rates apply and both Family Fun, Float Nights will start at 7 p.m. with shows starting around 9 p.m. “Star Wars, the Force Awakens” will run Friday, July 15 and “Zootopia” will be shown Friday, July 29. 

 

Those movies also draw crowds year after year. 

 

“Activities like these are part of what makes Bridgeport what it is,” Shuttleworth said.