Newton Grove’s Movie Night in the Park is one of the most innovative and proactive ideas we’ve seen in a long time, and just the kind of thing we’ve come to expect from this small town to the north of Clinton.

No question, those who live in Newton Grove, have been benefactors of many wonderful ways to have some good, clean family fun without having to go to far from their homes. There’s the spectacular Fourth of July celebration that’s held every year, one that rivals those of much larger cities; there’s the Circle of Lights celebration, held each Christmas to honor and memorialize loved ones; and there’s the annual Christmas parade, which usually boost quite a kaleidoscope of entrants.

Now on the heels of all those wonderful — and well attended — events comes Movie Night in the Park, an opportunity for families to join together at Weeks Park to watch a movie, eat popcorn and just have some good, clean fun.

And, the best part of all — it’s free to those willing to venture out and have a good time.

That’s thanks to the visionary minds of people like town commissioner Gary Mac Herring, his colleagues on the town board and the Newton Grove Area 100 Committee.

It’s those folks who have devised the idea, are working to raise the money and will bring a gigantic inflatable movie screen to the park for the first airing of a movie out under the stars.

The entire night won’t cost more than $1,000, much of which has already been raised by the committee and the town.

What’s left will need to come from good-hearted folks who want to be a part of something wonderfully inventive and tremendously exciting for such a small town.

In a letter written by the Area 100 Committee and sent out last week, donations are being accepted, and urged, to help pull the remainder of funds in to pull this night off without the first hitch.

What’s more, volunteers are also needed to help ensure that the evening is everything families would expect from such an extravaganza.

Our hat is off to the town, the Area 100 Committee, Herring and all the others who have come up with such a unique way to give families the opportunity to be together for a fun-filled night of pure entertainment.

This is small-town life as it should be lived. It’s a breath of fresh air that we are thrilled Newton Grove has offered.