JULY 26 UPDATE: Due to continued storms, we are canceling tonight’s movie, and we are working on rescheduling the activity with dinosaur fossils.
JULY 12 UPDATE: Wonder Park has been rescheduled to August 16.
School’s out, warmer temperatures are in, and UChicago’s annual Movies on the Midway summer event series is back with a fresh line-up of movies and interactive programming for the whole family. Hosted by the Office of Civic Engagement in partnership with the Chicago Park District, Movies on the Midway returns on Wednesdays this year starting July 12 with a slate of five popular films and accompanying community activities set to run through August 16.
Attendees should be ready to rise to their feet ahead of Minions: The Rise of Gru. Award-winning Chicago double dutch team The Jumping Juniors will showcase their skills, and teach moviegoers some moves, on July 19 before Gru’s army of yellow henchmen hop on screen.
On July 26, UChicago Professor Paul Sereno and his team will introduce the audience to a real-life Strange World alongside the movie version, sharing artifacts and stories they uncovered on their latest dinosaur expedition in Niger. The following week on August 2, UChicago Police Department officers will be on hand for a Touch-a-Truck experience, an anti-bullying program, and an opportunity for families to buddy up to Zilly, the Cook County Sheriff’s therapy dog, before befriending the loveable Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.
August 9 will be a night that goes back to the beginning—attendees can explore the universe’s origin story before Buzz Lightyear’s. UChicago South Pole Telescope and Cosmic Microwave Background researchers and the Chicago Astronomer will lead hands-on, space-centered activities like telescope demonstrations and mapping the sky, followed by Lightyear. Things wrap up on August 16 when the Logan Center for the Arts leads a wonder-sparking night of crafts and art projects that explore the theme of imagination—a perfect precursor to the evening’s showing of Wonder Park, a movie in which the power of imagination has a starring role.
Moviegoers are encouraged to share their Movies on the Midway moments by tagging @UChiEngagement in their pack-your-own picnic photos and summer sunset posts.
All activities will take place starting at 7 p.m. at 1130 Midway Plaisance, between Ellis and University avenues. Movies start at sunset.
Updates due to inclement weather will be posted on the Office of Civic Engagement’s social media platforms (@UChiEngagement on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram).
