SOLON — What started as a way to safely take a break from life has turned into a monthly evening of free entertainment as the Solon Public Library kicked off a new season of monthly Fun For All Night’s Saturday at the Solon Community Center.
“It started during COVID,” said Liz King, Solon Public Library Director. “We started it with the inflatable screen outside at the Library as we wanted to be able to offer programming that was safe to have people at (outside in the fresh air, and able to distance) and the Solon Area Community Foundation purchased the movie equipment (a digital projector and large inflatable screen) to be shared with the city departments. So we share it with the Solon Recreation Department. That was an amazing investment and contribution to be able to do something like this.”
Initially, two years ago this summer, the evening of fun and games capped off with a movie, was held on the back (north) lawn of the Library. It then moved to the west side patio. However, a forecast of rain sent King and her staff scrambling for an alternate site.
“Dylan Sloan (previous Rec. Director) allowed us to come here (the Solon Community Center). Instead of outdoor games it became indoor games in the gym, and then we did the movie in the auditorium. That worked so well that we realized we could do this (event) all year. We could do the out door movies at the Library, and then when the weather turns bad, we can move it here to the Community Center and truly keep that partnership between the Library and the Recreation Department. And that has worked out amazingly well,” said King.
The evening starts with an hour of unstructured fun and games with families playing ping pong or air hockey, shooting baskets, or just running around as kids being kids. King said, “It’s just a great event to offer families, especially with littles. In the winter when they need some place to run around and burn off that energy, it’s maybe too cold to be outside and it gets dark so much earlier, so they can come in here and play for an hour and then have a movie.”Of course no movie would be complete without popcorn, and that’s where Theisen’s of Coralville comes in. “They donate our popcorn every month,” she said, “Which is very nice and very generous of them (and frees up staff from having to keep watch over a popcorn machine) so that’s been wonderful too.”
King expressed her gratitude for the partnership with the Recreation Department and the use of the Community Center. However she is also concerned for the future as the building (which is owned by the Solon Community School District and leased to the City on an annual basis) is slated for demolition in the next few years.
“I certainly hope that once this facility is no longer here, that we do have an alter nate location to be able to continue to offer this. I feel like the response of the community to be able to have a free night like this for young families is huge and being able to offer that is important.”
“This is our second full year and we think it’s going to be great!,” said King.
Fun For All Night Details
When – Second Saturday of the month through April
Where – Solon Community Center, 313 S. Iowa St.
When – Gym games begin at 6:00 p.m. with movie to
follow at 7:00 p.m. (also in the gym).
What to bring – Lawn chairs and/or blankets (no seating
provided)
Who? – All ages are invited to a FREE community night of
fun
What about bad weather? – Check the Library’s Face- book page (www.facebook.com/Solon.Iowa.Library) and/ or the Solon Public Library’s website (www.solon.lib.ia.us) for any changes and updates.
What movie is playing next month? – Check out the Solon Public Library’s weekly news in the Solon Economist