You’re sitting on a picnic blanket in a green park, surrounded by a crowd of happy people enjoying a calm Spring evening.

A movie is playing on a giant screen before you. Children’s laughter rings through the air.

It’s the perfect scene, and coming to Goulburn in mid- October.

Pictures and Popcorn in the Park is an initiative by the team at Goulburn Mulwaree Council, stemmed from a desire to harness the City’s beauty in Spring.

Over two weekends a movie screen, supplied by Southern Tablelands Arts, will be erected in Belmore Park. Family friendliness is the theme.

On October 10, a standalone event will see an animation screened for free in a BYO picnic setting.

The following weekend, on October 17, night markets fully stocked with local produce will accompany a second movie.

Following both screenings, the Lieder Theatre will perform their renowned Fire Show to end the night.

Goulburn Marketing and Events Manager Sarah Ruberto said the events were designed to bring the community together.

“The events are very much about community, getting the community involved and the business community as well,” she said.

“(The first event) is very much being promoted as something to bring your own picnic and settle in for a nice night with the family.

“It’s a lead-in to the event on the 17th, which will be a much bigger event in that we will have a night market and, again, a family friendly movie although not an animation, and then followed by the Lieder Fire Show.”

The Rotary Club of Goulburn will host the markets for the October 17 event, focusing on local produce and wine. Council has agreed to waive Belmore Park liquor restrictions for the night of the market to accommodate the event.

“It’s obviously all being promoted as a family friendly event and we see it as an opportunity for people to have some nice food, support some local businesses, grab a glass of local wine and sit there to enjoy the movie,” Ms Ruberto said.

COINCIDING with the springtime events, Council has again secured the services of Emrah Baki-Ulas, an expert in light installations.

Professor Baki-Ulas, a lecturer at Sydney’s University of Technology, has become somewhat of an expert in Goulburn architecture, first being recruited to lead the projections on St Saviour’s Cathedral during the City’s 150th and more recently designing the Anzac Centenary projections on Rocky Hill. This time, his focus will be on the historical courthouse on Market St.

“We have confirmation from the courthouse that we can light it up for our event. It will be lit up from Saturday the 10th through til midnight of Saturday the 17th,” Ms Ruberto said.

More information about movies and stalls will be finalised closer to the date

MEANTIME, the organisers of September’s inaugural SpyFest are requesting ratepayers subsidise the cost of traffic arrangements and use of the Veolia Arena.

Reports to tomorrow night’s Council meeting recommends about $5000 in costs associated with traffic control for the September 26 street parade be waived.

The event – to commemorate home-grown actor George Lazenby and the James Bond series – will also include a Gala Dinner at the Arena.

It’s suggested Council approve the use of the Centre with associated support up to the value of $5000.

If the value of the work or hire fees exceeds $5000 then the Spyfest Committee is to pay the balance.

The Kangaroo March will also stage a street re-enactment on September 26, just before SpyFest’s parade.

The report said there was no funding currently available to support a request to assist with Mr Lazenby’s $5000 attendance fee.