VARC expands summer outdoor movies to include La Crosse

VIROQUA, Wis. (WKBT) — VARC Inc. is partnering with the city park and rec departments in La Crosse and Viroqua to sponsor free outdoor movie events on designated Fridays this summer.
The Viroqua-based Vernon Area Rehabilitation Center debuted the Moonlight Cinema format in Viroqua last summer to provide safe outdoor entertainment, incorporating physical distancing, amid the otherwise restrictive conditions of COVID-19.
VARC, which also has locations in La Crosse, is expanding the movie night in part to provide more employment opportunities for VARC’s clients with disabilities.
This movie season will include showings one Friday a month in Riverside Park in La Crosse and in the Viroqua Park Bowl. Each event will feature one film on a 30-foot screen and concessions.
Protocols are in place for movie guests and staffers to ensure safe viewing.
The first La Crosse showing will take place at Riverside Park on June 11, and the inaugural Viroqua Park Bowl movie will be on June 25 — both at sundown. The season will last through September.
“We are very pleased to continue offering a safe family and community activity this summer, and wanted to expand our reach to include the La Crosse community,” said VARC President and CEO Liz Filter.

“This year, we are asking for support from our local business community and will be showcasing those business who have helped support these events so they can be free to the public,” Filter said
Other dates for movie nights, with films starting generally around sundown, will be:
July 17 — Riverside Park in La Crosse
July 23 — Park Bowl in Viroqua
Aug. 13 — Park Bowl
Aug. 20 — Riverside Park
Sept. 3 — Park Bowl
Sept. 17 — Riverside Park.
Information on sponsorship opportunities can be found on the VARC website. www.varcinc.com/moonlightcinema. Other announcements about Moonlight Cinema, including movies to be featured, will be made on VARC’s Facebook (@VARCINC) and Instagram (@varc_inc) pages.
VARC, which has been serving individuals with varying abilities in southwest Wisconsin since 1975, focuses on teaching independent living skills, promoting education, fostering community interaction and providing a variety of employment and life skills training. In addition to Viroqua and La Crosse, it has facilities in Portage, Jefferson, Mauston, Baraboo, Reedsburg, Adams, Sparta and Richland Center.

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