*Canceled* MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES

                                   Local Family Favorite Event Canceled                                                                               Rising Cases in Covid-19 changes 2020 summer

July 22, 2020 - Ogden, UT - Monday Night Movies has been a summer staple for Ogden families since 2002 when the Ogden Amphitheater opened. However, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, this event series will take a hiatus and return in 2021. For months, the Ogden Arts, Culture and Events staff was working to make Monday Night Movies a safe event by following the State phased guidelines given by local and state officials. The series usually begins its free programming in June, allowing families to enjoy summer vacation and ending in August before school starts.

Derek Williamson, the Amphitheater & series coordinator stated, “We were excited to open the park and provide some accessible programing to Ogden and hoped that everyone would help us maintain all guidelines.” It was thought that the success of this small event would lead to other summer and fall events to take place downtown and at the Ogden Amphitheater. It would have relied on guests to familiarize themselves with some of our regulations before arriving on Monday nights to stay safe, but trends in the pandemic show that this was not our only challenge.

It was to be a low impact event, only seating 150 per screening. However, as Williamson stated, “just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Even if all our registered guests wore masks and followed our other guidelines, there was still the possibility that transmission could occur.” As a city department in arts and culture, it is imperative that we consider guest safety. That is why we feel it is in the community’s best interest for our department to support programming that can be done safely from home or outdoors while social distancing. One example is the Pioneer Days horses being placed around town—something that Ogden residents can enjoy this summer while maintaining distance from others.

If you or your family enjoy watching movies but feel that screen time is getting to be too much, there are ways to make this activity exciting again. Try rearranging your furniture, making a fort, or setting up a screen outside. For an added experience purchase themed meal ideas or snacks to the titles or create a game for the plot lines (a la Rocky Horror Picture Show). Enjoy popcorn or candy, as you would when you are visiting a theatre or the Amphitheater. Do not be afraid to try something silly; memories are being made.

Consider watching the films that were optioned for our 2020 Monday Night Movie series listed below, many of which are available through streaming services, for rent, or sale. If you are looking for an inexpensive route, consider Weber County Library. They have films available for streaming through their website, or you can check out DVD copies through the downtown branch. Choose titles with characters and stories that you have never heard before and discover a new adventure or perspective.                                                                                                                                                            Thank you to the Ogden community for helping keep our arts, culture and events going in unique ways. We hope you will join us for the return of Monday Night Movies in 2021.

Got to our webpages and social media for up to date info:

https://www.ogdencity.com/696/Arts-Events

https://www.ogdencity.com/709/Amphitheater

Social Media: FB-OgdenCityAmphitheater

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Movies: