Open-air screenings

Drive-in theaters have all but disappeared from the landscape, but Midlanders can still get an outdoor movie fix.

In most cases, moviegoers will have to provide their own chairs or blankets and maybe some insect repellent. And sometimes the cicadas threaten to drown out the dialogue. But unless it's raining, these outdoor movies are a great way to spend an evening.

There's nothing like the scent of popcorn mingling with those of wildflowers or freshly cut grass. And even if it's not hot and muggy — this summer's evenings have been surprisingly comfortable, for the most part — it's great to be outdoors with other people also enjoying the evening.

It's even better that all these movies are free entertainment.

Most of the screenings are sponsored by neighborhood associations, city parks departments or churches. They can come with a variety of extras and range from small, intimate gatherings to large venues.

The Friday night series sponsored by the Hillsborough Homeowners Association begins Aug. 21 and continues through Oct. 2.

Attendance at the film series in the neighborhood park varied last year from 150 to 300.

Brad Erickson, association president, said the films are popular with residents of the northwest Omaha neighborhood. “We have an actual screen and sound system,” Erickson said, “and I always show a cartoon first, to let everyone get situated.”

The movies are always family-oriented and switch between a G-rated movie one week and a PG movie the next, he said. Free popcorn is provided, and on opening night there will be snow cones and other special things, Erickson said.

In the huge venue category is the Starlight Movies Series at the Sumtur Amphitheater in Papillion, which has permanent seating for 350 and grassy seating for 1,000 others.

The series attendance has doubled this year, said Vicky Gaskin of the Papillion Parks Department. Last year, each showing drew about 400 people, she said. This year the average is about 800.

June 12 was an exception. “Three hundred people sat in the rain to watch ‘Ghostbusters,'” Gaskin said.

Attendees aren't allowed to bring their own food or beverages into the amphitheater. But a concession stand and restrooms are available.

The series of free films began May 29, and there is one screening left, on Aug. 14. The amphitheater opens at 6 p.m.; cartoons start at 9 p.m., followed by the feature.

Several series, such as those at Omaha's First United Methodist Church and Christensen Field in Fremont, Neb., were held in the early summer months. Watch for their schedules next year.

First United Methodist definitely will revive the movies next summer, said Becky Jones, the church's member development and youth coordinator.

“It's a lot of fun,” she said. “It's not church-related. It's an offering for the community.”

Jones said the films mostly drew people from the neighborhood, usually 30 to 35 people. One night only about 10 faithful showed up. It was raining, but the show went on. “I stood over the projector with a plastic bag so it didn't get wet,” Jones said with a laugh.

The Holland Performing Arts Center is screening a film in its courtyard in each of the three summer months. The cool evening for the most recent offering, “White Christmas” on July 17, put the audience of about 400 in the right mood for the movie. Many wrapped up in their blankets rather than sitting on them.

The next — and last — in the series of Holland's three movies is “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” on Aug. 14. People are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets but no food or drink. Picnic food is available for purchase.

The Holland evenings aren't limited to a movie. The evenings start with an hourlong concert by local performers, who start playing around 7:45. On Aug. 14, it will be Rhythm Collective.

The free Movies in the Park series at Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs is nearing its end. Two remain — “Kung Fu Panda” on Friday and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on Aug. 7.

At the showing of “The Wizard of Oz” on June 10, kids — some in “Oz” costumes — sat with their parents or played catch and croquet before the feature started. And there was plenty of popcorn to go around.

Two movies also remain for the series at Atonement Lutheran Church, 4530 N. 85th St. in Omaha. The movies, shown on a large outside wall at the church, are set for Aug. 14 and 28.

The Rev. Keith Dusheke said the church started showing the films on a trial basis a couple of years ago. The popularity of the movie nights encouraged the church to make them part of its regular summer schedule starting last year.

Dusheke said the church can't advertise the film titles in advance because of a contract clause. But anyone who would like to know the titles of the family-friendly films can call the church at 571-3698, he said.

Metro residents who would like to venture a little farther from home can still catch the “Sit-In” Movie Nights series at the Methodist Church's Camp Fontanelle, in Washington County on County Highway 3 off Nebraska Highway 91 near Nickerson, Neb.

The films are shown at dusk on a 12-foot screen near the petting barn. Early arrivals can play lawn games, tour the petting barn or let the kids play in the sandbox. Attendees can cook dinner or s'mores over campfires, and a microwave is available for popcorn.

This series presents “Cast Away” tonight and is scheduled to continue every other Saturday night through Halloween.

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