El Segundo’s Movies in the Park returns to Chevron Park; Rotary, schools and sponsors raise funds and bring family activities

Natasha Gascon, a reporter for El Segundo Media, said the City’s Movies in the Park event took place at Chevron Park, which organizers described as the event’s 25th year and featured food, games and family activities provided by local businesses and school groups.

Organizers said the event serves as a community fundraiser and family night. “There’s a lot going on here today from food, games, and family fun,” Gascon said, adding that vendors and student clubs staffed booths and sold items to support their programs.

Members of the El Segundo High School Robotics Club said they were selling food to raise money for parts and competitions. “We’re the robotics club for the El Segundo High School, and we’re just trying to allow people to do robotics in high school. We’re selling tater tots because we’re the potatoes,” a robotics club member said. The club said proceeds help buy new parts and pay competition costs.

Sponsor organizations and service clubs described their involvement. A representative for West Basin said the agency is “always proud to sponsor the movie in the park” and praised the El Segundo Rotary Club as a community partner. A member of the South Bay Sunrise Rotary Club of Torrance said the club’s booth followed a nautical theme this year and sold “chili boats” as part of fundraising; the representative described the Rotary clubs’ participation as a way to support local charitable work.

Attendees described the event as a neighborhood tradition and an opportunity for families to gather. One resident said they remembered attending as a child and were bringing younger relatives to experience the activities. Multiple attendees and speakers praised Chevron for hosting the event and noted that proceeds are returned to community causes.

Organizers said the main event is the evening movie, with activities running beforehand. “The fun and festivities are winding down here for the main event, the movie. We’re just waiting for the sun to go down before grabbing our seats,” Gascon said.

The event combined community fundraising, sponsorship and school participation; no formal city actions, votes, or policy changes were recorded during the recorded remarks.