Swimmers and a movie
Dive-in Theater draws big crowd at City Pool
It’s not every day you are able to convert your pool into an aquatic theater, but the Porterville’s Parks and Leisure Services does it for the community during the hot summer weather.
There was long line out the door Friday evening with kids and adults waiting an hour before the annual Dive-in Theatre event Friday evening.
Gates opened at 7:30 p.m. and the movie began at dusk for the public to enjoy the view from inside the pool.
“This is a very popular event. We are showing Coco while people are in the pool,” said Amy Graybehl Parks and Leisure Services specialist. “We are at either our twelfth or thirteenth year that we’ve been doing it over the summer.”
The event sold out reaching the public pool’s maximum capacity of 280 people.
Admission was $3 for adults and $2 for children ages 12 and under. The concession stand was also opened during the movie, but guests were also encouraged to bring their own snacks.
“This kind of just wraps up the summer before kids go back to school,” said Graybehl as the set up the monitor to play the movie. “Everybody loves and supports our pool over the summer, when it’s hot like this, why not take
advantage while we play a movie?”
The Porterville City Pool was transformed into a theatre experience for the entire family compliments of the sponsor, the Sierra View Medical Center. Graybehl added SVMC provided decorations for the event that suited the theme of the movie.
“It’s kind of cool that they continue to support us with the community and with the event,” said Graybehl.
Maritza Rojas and her family have joined the Dive-in Theatre for the past three years, and she absolutely loves it.
“I love how everything is done, it’s unique in our community,” Rojas said. “I’m also excited to see Coco with my kids.”
Oralia Garcia has attended the event for three years, she said she feels safe because of the lifeguards, and has the courage to take all eight of her grandkids to the event.
“I love the event,” said Garcia.
“I went to the Veterans Parks movie showing and it was great,” said Janie Pineda. “It’s hot even during the night and kids can keep cool with events like this. It gives us parents and kids something to do.”
Graybehl said this event is very popular and very supported by the community and they definitely plan to having it next summer.
The pool will continue to be open for regular daily hours Monday through Friday, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Admission for recreational swimming costs $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 12 and under.
The pool also offers water aerobics from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays this summer. Cost is $2 per class.
For a complete pool schedule visit www. ci.porterville.ca.us or call 791-7695.