Some of the best things in Richmond don't cost a thing. On the evening of March 6, 2026, the City of Richmond opened up Wessendorff Park for another installment of Movies at Wessendorff — the beloved monthly outdoor film series that has been drawing families to 500 Preston Street for years. This month's feature was Inside Out 2, and from the moment blankets hit the grass and the first batch of free popcorn started popping, it was clear this was exactly the kind of evening Richmond does best. Best Dental was glad to be part of it.

Wessendorff Park sits in the heart of Richmond with a backdrop that feels almost cinematic on its own — the green expanse of the park framed by the quiet of the historic Morton Cemetery just beyond the fence. As the sun dropped and the spring air cooled off, families spread out their lawn chairs and blankets across the grass, kids ran around the edges of the field, and the Rotary Club of Richmond served up free popcorn to anyone who walked up. The City of Richmond provided free water, and a dessert truck was on site for anyone who wanted to make a full evening out of it.

Inside Out 2 was a fitting choice for a community night like this one. The film follows Riley as she navigates the chaos of new emotions in adolescence — a story that landed differently under the open sky surrounded by parents, kids, and neighbors all watching together. There were laughs, a few quiet moments, and the kind of shared experience that only happens when a whole community gathers in one place with no agenda other than to enjoy the evening.

The Movies at Wessendorff series runs on the first Friday of each month and has quietly become one of Richmond's most dependable community traditions. There's no ticket price, no advance registration, and no fuss — just a date on the calendar that Richmond families know to clear. The City of Richmond organizes the screenings as a free public event, and the Rotary Club's popcorn has become as much a part of the tradition as the films themselves. It's a small thing, but it's the kind of small thing that builds a real community over time.

For the families who showed up on March 6th with their chairs, their kids, and their dogs in tow, the evening was exactly what a Friday in Richmond should feel like — unhurried, neighborly, and completely free. That's the Richmond we love, and that's the community we're proud to serve every day.