Cinema seats will be traded for the grass at Verplanck’s Waterfront Park on July 24 for a community movie night under the open sky. But the screening of The Wild Robot (2024) will be only one of the attractions scheduled that evening as part of Cortlandt’s ongoing summer series, set just four miles from Peekskill. The event will also feature live music, food trucks, and a space for neighbors to gather.

The Town of Cortlandt’s summer agenda began in June and includes seven concert nights scheduled through August. Thursday’s event marks the fourth in the series and will begin at 6 p.m. with a performance by local band The Independence. The group, which previously played at the same venue in 2022, blends rock and pop covers. At 7 p.m., Blackstone will take the stage with a set of Southern rock and blues hits.

At dusk, 8:30 p.m., the animated film adaptation of Peter Brown’s children’s book The Wild Robot will be shown. The film follows a robot that washes ashore on a deserted island and must learn to survive in the wild and adapt to the natural world. It explores themes of artificial intelligence, empathy, adaptation, the relationship between technology and nature, and what it means to be alive.

The evening will also include a variety of food trucks and local food vendors. According to the official program, options will include Mister Softee, Octavio’s Food Wagon, Gyro Uno, Sapori di Napoli, Wanna Empanada, Wanna Sip, Homestyle Desserts Bakery, and other small businesses in the area.

The Concert and Movie Series is part of an ongoing cultural program developed by the Town of Cortlandt over the past several years. The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and bring blankets or folding chairs to settle in on the lawn.

After July 24, the series continues on July 31 with Hey Baby, a band that blends classic rock with contemporary pop; on August 1 with the 42nd Infantry Division Band, a military ensemble that performs traditional and patriotic music; and concludes on August 7 with the Six String Country Band, which plays classic country hits, followed by a screening of Moana 2.

For more information, visit the official website of the Town of Cortlandt. In case of rain, updates will be shared through official channels.