Fountain Valley finding ways to keep community involved during pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has kept people in their homes for much of the warm-weather months.

The city of Fountain Valley is not lacking creativity in keeping its community involved during these unprecedented times.

A drive-in showing of “Sonic the Hedgehog” was held at Mile Square Park to open the month of August Saturday. The event was $20 per car and allowed families to partake in a favorite pastime that has been missing — going to the movies.

“I think, for me, it was cool because I have lived in the city so long,” said Jason Ross, 49, who graduated from Fountain Valley High School in 1989. “When we moved to this city, one of my first movies was at the Fountain Valley Drive-in, the original one, and it was the re-release of ‘The Jungle Book,’ back in 1978.

“I was probably 6 or 7, and I had never been to a drive-in movie with my kids, so it was really neat to be able to take my daughter and her friend and just share some of that history and nostalgia.”

Rob Frizzelle, Fountain Valley’s community services director, said that a production company was hired to put up a 60-by-40-foot screen. Cars registered with the size of their vehicle, and they were accordingly arranged on the grass for visibility.

Moviegoers had to wear a mask when using the restroom, and they were asked to stay in their vehicles at all other times.

“Our goal all together is trying to find ways to enhance quality of life and community connectiveness during this pandemic because that sort of thing is important,” Frizzelle said. “It’s difficult to do these days because obviously you can’t bring people together in traditional ways, but we’re just looking to amend our service delivery model and find creative ways to ultimately enhance the quality of life here in Fountain Valley for our community.”

Up next, the city is putting on the “FV Campout at Home” this coming Saturday. Campout kits will be provided to the first 200 residents who sign up for the virtual event.

The kits will include tinfoil recipes for cooking on a grill, in a fire pit or in the oven. It will also have a coloring and activity page, rope with directions for making knots, a friendship bracelet-making kit and a vector control science kit. Acknowledging a camping favorite, a S’mores kit for four people will also come with the kit.

Frizzelle said that registration for the event is being taken until the event, and it is $5 to join. As of Tuesday, he said that about 160 to 170 people had enrolled for the campout.

A digital campout kit is also available to both residents and nonresidents, giving participants access to information and directions about the activities. Those who access the digital campout kit will have to acquire their own supplies for the activities.

Videos for the campout will be posted on the city’s YouTube Channel (FVRecreation) and on the recreation department’s Facebook page.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.