Newtown Community Center and Newtown Parks and Recreation teamed up to present a screening of the Disney movie Wish on August 5 as this year’s Outdoor Movie Night at Fairfield Hills.

Wish is a 2023 Disney animated musical fantasy film celebrating the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, the film tells the story of Asha, a 17-year-old who makes a wish upon a star in the magical kingdom of Rosas, only to have a literal star come down to help her.

Featuring the voices of Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, and Alan Tudyk, Wish grossed $64 million in the United States and Canada, and $191 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $255 million.

More than 200 moviegoers attended the mid-summer event under a fiery sun caused by the Canadian wildfires. Guests ranged in age from four months to senior citizens.

Prior to the start of the screening children were seen playing soccer, doing cartwheels, playing tag, having running races, collecting glow sticks, and eating popcorn and ice cream while adults relaxed in lawn chairs and blankets with pizza, sandwiches, and other assorted treats. One family eschewed traditional folding chairs, instead arriving with and setting up a large inflatable sofa that comfortably seated mom, dad, and two girls.

With an inflatable movie screen set up along the eastern side of the soccer and baseball fields along Simpson Street and Keating Farms Avenue, Kent House served as the evening’s backdrop. As the sun set, dozens of glow sticks became temporary lighting for some children playing card games until the evening’s feature began.