The final Sunset on the Square at Town Square Park in downtown St. George on Friday, Aug. 28, will be one you don’t want to miss. In addition to all the regular fun St. George residents have come to expect from this free community movie night—including food, games and other activities for the whole family—Friday’s Sunset on the Square will feature several “extras” for attendees to enjoy which will highlight the St. George Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, and nonprofits. And of course, there’s the movie for the evening, which will be the 2005 blockbuster “The Legend of Zorro” starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
“This has been another incredible year for Sunset on the Square,” said Dawn McLain, the Sunset on the Square event coordinator and owner of Write It Up! McLain is also the master of ceremonies for the event which has taken place every second and fourth Friday of the past few months.
The final Sunset on the Square starts at 6 p.m. with food, vendors and fun, including the Dealer Collision Water Balloon Challenge, conga lines, hokey pokey games, prizes, splash pad, face painting, and many more activities led by McLain. Come early to enjoy the park and carousel and to make sure to get the best seats in the house.
One of the additions to the Friday program will be a visit from the “Breaking the Cycles” team. BreakingtheCycles.org is dedicated to raising awareness of homelessness in America and helping families, veterans and individuals break out of the cycle of homelessness.
At 6:30 p.m., Carol Hollowell, the executive director for Switchpoint Community Resource Center, will be biking into Town Square Park to update the community on her coast-to-coast nationwide bike ride to raise awareness about homelessness. Hollowell and her husband, Bob, will be peddling around the country with several goals in mind.
“We are looking to raise $300,000,” Hollowell said. “Bob and I will be riding a minimum of 100 miles a day, stopping at homeless shelters along the route; meeting with local area and state officials across the country; updating via social media each day; and telling the stories of real people experiencing homelessness.”
In support of this effort, Sunset on the Square and Utah Nonprofits Association members will be collecting canned and dry food goods to donate to the new expanded pantry at Switchpoint Community Resource Center. Attendees who bring food donations will receive an additional opportunity drawing ticket to win one of the evening’s many great prizes, include several tickets for performances at Tuacahn Center for the Arts and many other gift certificates. KCSG Television and St. George News will also donate a dinner at Pizza Factory and a family pass for Fiesta Family Fun Center.
The City of St. George will also feature two safety programs associated with their anti-texting campaigns. Information and materials will be available on site for the “Heads Up Thumbs Up” and “Stop The Texts, Stop The Wrecks” programs.
“We are really pleased to partner with the City to bring this vital information to our community,” McLain said. “Public safety is a key priority for all of us, and I am looking forward to supporting these programs in any way that I can.”
The Elks will be featuring multiple lawn games throughout the evening in addition to their face painting and crates. Games include mini-basketball, hula-hooping and a bean bag toss.
“The final addition to the schedule is a real treat,” McLain said. “Shortly before the movie will start, Brad Harr & Associations will be presenting a check to the St. George Children’s Museum from the Wonka Bar contest featured on Nonprofit Night in June.”
McLain said the contest was a tremendous success, and the funds raised by vendor Brad Harr & Associates truly reflect the collaborative spirit that Sunset on the Square promotes.
Sunset on the Square is proudly sponsored by KCSG Television, Girls On the Run, Cherry Creek Radio, The Independent, Family & Kids Magazine, View on Southern Utah Magazine, The City of St. George, Write It Up!, Williams Services, the Dixie Elks Lodge, Brad Harr & Assoc., Dealer Collision Center, Southern Utah Cares, Sonny Boy’s BBQ, Steven’s Henager College, BioLife Plasma Services, St. George Children’s Museum, Utah Nonprofits Association and TDS.
For additional information about participating or future sponsorship opportunities, call Dawn McLain at (702) 860-2341 or e-mail dawn@writeituponline.com.
