Free screenings: Where to see movie stars, under the stars

Along with the other summer traditions in Utah — barbecues, watching baseball, calming the dog because of your obnoxious neighbor's illegal fireworks — another one is gaining in popularity: watching movies outdoors.

"It's just a lot more fun being outside in the summer," said Patrick Hubley, programming director of the Utah Film Center. "The nighttime during the summer is the perfect environment to see a movie."

Cities and towns along the Wasatch Front — from Centerville to Provo — organize weekly, biweekly or monthly screenings of movies at parks and other outdoor venues. People can bring blankets and snacks, stretch out and enjoy a movie under the stars. And it's hard to beat the price: free.

The screenings are growing in popularity. Last Friday at Liberty Park, at the first of Salt Lake City's "Friday Night Flicks" series at parks around town, between 500 and 600 people watched "Toy Story."

"People love it," said Cynthia Stringham, special-events manager for Salt Lake City, which runs the "Friday Night Flicks" program. "We have groupies that come from park to park to park. We get neighbors. It's something unique they can do in their park."

In South Jordan, officials are hoping for about 400 people attending each of the nine films screening this summer, said Heather Smith, special-events coordinator for South Jordan.

In many towns, the offerings are typical family-friendly fare, with titles such as "The Muppets," "Puss in Boots" and the made-in-Utah staple "The Sandlot" appearing several times this summer.

Some of the programs are a little bit different, though. The Sundance Institute sponsors a summer series — screened at Salt Lake City's Red Butte Garden amphitheater and at The Canyons resort in Park City — featuring music-themed films that have played at the Sundance Film Festival. South Jordan is organizing audience games before the screenings, while Draper's series includes pre-movie music performances. In Magna, a screening on Aug. 3 is an all-nighter, a marathon of all four "Pirates of the Caribbean" films.

The Utah Film Center's program, "Monday Night Movies" at the Gallivan Center, will feature disaster movies from the 1970s: "Airport," "The Andromeda Strain," "The Poseidon Adventure" and "The Towering Inferno."

"It harkens back to the drive-in," said Hubley, who recalled "piling into the car and seeing the all-night feature with my parents."

Some cities make room for community booths and food vendors. And the Salt Lake City "Friday Night Flicks" shows offer free popcorn while it lasts.

"It's just a different vibe outside watching a movie," Hubley said.

movies@sltrib.com

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Salt Lake County

Salt Lake City

Friday Night Flicks

Salt Lake City presents family-friendly movies for all ages, in a different park each Friday night in June and early July. Free popcorn while it lasts. Community booths open at 8 p.m.; movie starts around 9.

June 8 • Lindsey Gardens, 9th Avenue and M Street; "Mary Poppins"

June 15 • Jordan Park, 900 W. 1000 South; "Cars"

June 22 • Reservoir Park, 42 S. University St. (1345 East); "A Christmas Story"

June 29 • Riverside Park, 739 N. 1400 West; "The Sandlot"

July 6 • Fairmont Park, 2361 S. 900 East; "Curious George"

July 13 • Wasatch Hollow, 1700 S. 1650 East; "The Muppets Take Manhattan"

Movies Under the Stars

At the Utah State Capitol, 300 N. State St., Salt Lake City. Presented by the Capitol Preservation Board and Utah Film Commission. Movies start around 9 p.m.

June 29 • "Puss in Boots"

July 13 • "The Princess Bride"

July 27 • "The Muppets"

Aug. 3 • "John Carter"

Aug. 17 • "The Sandlot"

Sundance Institute Summer Series

Movies from the Sundance Film Festival, selected Wednesday nights at Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre, 300 Wakara Way, University of Utah. Movies start at 9 p.m.

June 20 • "Under African Skies" (Joe Berlinger-directed documentary about Paul Simon and the making of "Graceland")

July 11 • "CSNY Déjà Vu" (2008 documentary directed by Neil Young, under the alias Bernard Shakey, of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's reunion tour)

July 25 • "Filly Brown" (drama about Mexican-American teen discovering her voice through rap)

Aug. 1 • "Bones Brigade: An Autobiography" (Stacy Peralta's documentary about pioneering skateboarding team from the 1980s)

Gallivan Center Monday Night Movies

Disaster movies of the '70s are the theme at this series, presented by the Utah Film Center, at the Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main St., Salt Lake City. Shows start at dusk.

July 9 • "Airport"

July 16 • "The Andromeda Strain"

July 23 • "The Poseidon Adventure"

July 30 • "The Towering Inferno"

Cottonwood Heights

Movies in the Park

Family films at Bywater Park, 3100 E. Banbury Road. Movies start at 9 p.m.

June 15 • "Cars 2"

July 13 • "Happy Feet 2"

Aug. 10 • "Tangled"

Draper

Draper Amphitheatre

Movies with preshow entertainment at Draper Amphitheatre, 944 E. Vestry Road. Movies start at 9:15 p.m.; preshow entertainment starts at 8.

June 15 • "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked"; preshow: CryWolf

July 19 • "We Bought a Zoo"; preshow: The Drew Brees Band

Aug. 17 • "Mr. Popper's Penguins"; preshow: TBD

Magna

Movies in the Parks

Family films at Pleasant Green Park, 3729 S. 8400 West, Magna (unless otherwise noted). Movies start at dusk.

June 15 • "The Muppets" (with band The Anchorage performing at 7 p.m.)

June 22 • "Real Steel"

July 6 • Magna Copper Park, 8950 W. 2600 South; "Captain America: The First Avenger"

July 20 • "Hugo"

Aug. 3 • marathon of all four "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies (runs 'til 5 a.m.)

Aug. 10 • "Puss in Boots"

Aug. 24 • "Zookeeper"

Riverton

Movies in the Parks

Family films at various parks in Riverton. Movies start at 9 p.m.

June 15 • Riverton IHC Hospital, 3741 W. 12600 South; "Cars 2"

July 20 • C.R. Hamilton Park, 13800 S. 3700 West; "The Muppets"

Aug. 17 • Margaret Park, 12275 S. 1130 West; "Puss in Boots"

Sept. 14 • Riverton City Park, 12800 S. 1400 West; "Kung Fu Panda"

Sandy

Movies in the Parks

Sandy City presents family-friendly movies for all ages, in a different park on alternating Wednesdays. Movies start at dusk, around 9 p.m.

June 20 • Flat Iron Mesa, 1700 E. 8600 South; "The Muppets"

July 11 • Wildflower Park, 9845 S. 1835 East; "Puss in Boots"

July 25 • Lone Peak Park, 10140 S. 700 East; "The Blind Side"

Aug. 8 • Bicentennial Park, 530 E. 8680 South; "Cars 2"

Aug. 22 • Crescent Park, 230 E. 11000 South; "Kung Fu Panda 2"

South Jordan

Movies in the Parks

South Jordan presents family-friendly movies for all ages, in a different park each Friday. Movies start at 9:30 p.m.

June 8 • Heritage Park, 10800 S. Redwood Road; "The Sandlot"

June 15 • South City Park, 11010 S. Redwood Road; "Puss in Boots" (part of Country Fest)

June 22 • Callendar Square, 4526 W. Harvest Moon Lane; "The Smurfs"

July 6 • Mulligan's, 692 W. 10600 South; "Seven Days in Utopia"

July 13 • Oquirrh Shadow Park, 10300 S. 4000 West; "Hop"

July 20 • Bowery Park, 10639 S. Cave Run Lane; "A Bug's Life"

Aug. 3 • North Shore Pier (access off 10400 Oquirrh Lake Road); "Enchanted" (starts at 9:15 p.m.)

Aug. 17 • Skye Park, 4800 W. Skye Drive; "Hugo" (starts at 9 p.m.)

Aug. 24 • Heritage Park, 10800 S. Redwood Road; "The Adventures of Tintin" (starts at 9 p.m.; part of End of Summer Bash and Night Out Against Crime)

West Jordan

Movies in the Park

West Jordan presents family-friendly movies for all ages at Veterans Memorial Park, 1985 W. 7800 South. Movies start at dusk.

June 15 • "Puss in Boots"

July 4 • "Zookeeper"

July 7 • "How to Train Your Dragon"

July 20 • "National Treasure"

Aug. 11 • "Dr. Seuss' 'The Lorax'"

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Davis County

Centerville

Movies in the Park

Family films on selected Fridays at Founders Park, 300 N. 100 East, Centerville. Movies start at dusk, around 9 p.m.

June 8 • "Puss in Boots"

June 22 • "Kung Fu Panda 2"

July 13 • "Captain America: The First Avenger"

July 27 • "Zookeeper"

Aug. 10 • "The Muppets"

Aug. 24 • "Dr. Seuss' 'The Lorax'"

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Utah County

Provo

Movies in the Park

Hollywood blockbusters, every Monday night in August, at Rock Canyon Park, 2620 N. 1200 East, Provo. Movies start at dusk, around 9 p.m.

Aug. 6 • "The Muppets"

Aug. 13 • "John Carter"

Aug. 20 • "Puss in Boots"

Aug. 27 • "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol"

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Summit County

Park City

Sundance Institute Summer Series

Movies from the Sundance Film Festival, selected Thursday nights at the Village Stage at The Canyons resort, Park City (unless otherwise noted). Movies start at 9 p.m.

June 21 • "Under African Skies" (Joe Berlinger-directed documentary about Paul Simon and the making of "Graceland")

July 12 • "CSNY Déjà Vu" (2008 documentary directed by Neil Young, under the alias Bernard Shakey, of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's reunion tour)

July 26 • "Filly Brown" (drama about Mexican-American teen discovering her voice through rap)

Aug. 3 • "Bones Brigade: An Autobiography" (Stacy Peralta's documentary about pioneering skateboarding team from the 1980s), a Friday screening at City Park, Park City, in connection with the Kimball Arts Festival. Skateboarding demos, artists designing on skate decks, and an in-person appearance by Peralta. —

SALT LAKE COUNTY

Salt Lake City

Friday Night Flicks

Salt Lake City presents family-friendly movies for all ages, in a different park each Friday night in June and early July. Free popcorn while it lasts. Community booths open at 8 p.m.; movie starts around 9.

June 8 • Lindsey Gardens, 9th Avenue and M Street; "Mary Poppins"

June 15 • Jordan Park, 900 W. 1000 South; "Cars"

June 22 • Reservoir Park, 42 S. University St. (1345 East); "A Christmas Story"

June 29 • Riverside Park, 739 N. 1400 West; "The Sandlot"

July 6 • Fairmont Park, 2361 S. 900 East; "Curious George"

July 13 • Wasatch Hollow, 1700 S. 1650 East; "The Muppets Take Manhattan"

Movies Under the Stars

At the Utah State Capitol, 300 N. State St., Salt Lake City. Presented by the Capitol Preservation Board and Utah Film Commission. Movies start around 9 p.m.

June 29 • "Puss in Boots"

July 13 • "The Princess Bride"

July 27 • "The Muppets"

Aug. 3 • "John Carter"

Aug. 17 • "The Sandlot"

Sundance Institute Summer Series

Movies from the Sundance Film Festival, selected Wednesday nights at Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre, 300 Wakara Way, University of Utah. Movies start at 9 p.m.

June 20 • "Under African Skies" (Joe Berlinger-directed documentary about Paul Simon and the making of "Graceland")

July 11 • "CSNY Déjà Vu" (2008 documentary directed by Neil Young, under the alias Bernard Shakey, of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's reunion tour)

July 25 • "Filly Brown" (drama about Mexican-American teen discovering her voice through rap)

Aug. 1 • "Bones Brigade: An Autobiography" (Stacy Peralta's documentary about pioneering skateboarding team from the 1980s)

Gallivan Center Monday Night Movies

Disaster movies of the '70s are the theme at this series, presented by the Utah Film Center, at the Gallivan Center, 239 S. Main St., Salt Lake City. Shows start at dusk.

July 9 • "Airport"

July 16 • "The Andromeda Strain"

July 23 • "The Poseidon Adventure"

July 30 • "The Towering Inferno"

Cottonwood Heights

Movies in the Park

Family films at Bywater Park, 3100 E. Banbury Road. Movies start at 9 p.m.

June 15 • "Cars 2"

July 13 • "Happy Feet 2"

Aug. 10 • "Tangled"

Draper

Draper Amphitheatre

Movies with preshow entertainment at Draper Amphitheatre, 944 E. Vestry Road. Movies start at 9:15 p.m.; preshow entertainment starts at 8.

June 15 • "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked"; preshow: CryWolf

July 19 • "We Bought a Zoo"; preshow: The Drew Brees Band

Aug. 17 • "Mr. Popper's Penguins"; preshow: TBD

Magna

Movies in the Parks

Family films at Pleasant Green Park, 3729 S. 8400 West, Magna (unless otherwise noted). Movies start at dusk.

June 15 • "The Muppets" (with band The Anchorage performing at 7 p.m.)

June 22 • "Real Steel"

July 6 • Magna Copper Park, 8950 W. 2600 South; "Captain America: The First Avenger"

July 20 • "Hugo"

Aug. 3 • marathon of all four "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies (runs 'til 5 a.m.)

Aug. 10 • "Puss in Boots"

Aug. 24 • "Zookeeper"

Riverton

Movies in the Parks

Family films at various parks in Riverton. Movies start at 9 p.m.

June 15 • Riverton IHC Hospital, 3741 W. 12600 South; "Cars 2"

July 20 • C.R. Hamilton Park, 13800 S. 3700 West; "The Muppets"

Aug. 17 • Margaret Park, 12275 S. 1130 West; "Puss in Boots"

Sept. 14 • Riverton City Park, 12800 S. 1400 West; "Kung Fu Panda"

Sandy

Movies in the Parks

Sandy City presents family-friendly movies for all ages, in a different park on alternating Wednesdays. Movies start at dusk, around 9 p.m.

June 20 • Flat Iron Mesa, 1700 E. 8600 South; "The Muppets"

July 11 • Wildflower Park, 9845 S. 1835 East; "Puss in Boots"

July 25 • Lone Peak Park, 10140 S. 700 East; "The Blind Side"

Aug. 8 • Bicentennial Park, 530 E. 8680 South; "Cars 2"

Aug. 22 • Crescent Park, 230 E. 11000 South; "Kung Fu Panda 2"

South Jordan

Movies in the Parks

South Jordan presents family-friendly movies for all ages, in a different park each Friday. Movies start at 9:30 p.m.

June 8 • Heritage Park, 10800 S. Redwood Road; "The Sandlot"

June 15 • South City Park, 11010 S. Redwood Road; "Puss in Boots" (part of Country Fest)

June 22 • Callendar Square, 4526 W. Harvest Moon Lane; "The Smurfs"

July 6 • Mulligan's, 692 W. 10600 South; "Seven Days in Utopia"

July 13 • Oquirrh Shadow Park, 10300 S. 4000 West; "Hop"

July 20 • Bowery Park, 10639 S. Cave Run Lane; "A Bug's Life"

Aug. 3 • North Shore Pier (access off 10400 Oquirrh Lake Road); "Enchanted" (starts at 9:15 p.m.)

Aug. 17 • Skye Park, 4800 W. Skye Drive; "Hugo" (starts at 9 p.m.)

Aug. 24 • Heritage Park, 10800 S. Redwood Road; "The Adventures of Tintin" (starts at 9 p.m.; part of End of Summer Bash and Night Out Against Crime)

West Jordan

Movies in the Park

West Jordan presents family-friendly movies for all ages at Veterans Memorial Park, 1985 W. 7800 South. Movies start at dusk.

June 15 • "Puss in Boots"

July 4 • "Zookeeper"

July 7 • "How to Train Your Dragon"

July 20 • "National Treasure"

Aug. 11 • "Dr. Seuss' 'The Lorax'"

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DAVIS COUNTY

Centerville

Movies in the Park

Family films on selected Fridays at Founders Park, 300 N. 100 East, Centerville. Movies start at dusk, around 9 p.m.

June 8 • "Puss in Boots"

June 22 • "Kung Fu Panda 2"

July 13 • "Captain America: The First Avenger"

July 27 • "Zookeeper"

Aug. 10 • "The Muppets"

Aug. 24 • "Dr. Seuss' 'The Lorax'"

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UTAH COUNTY

Provo

Movies in the Park

Hollywood blockbusters, every Monday night in August, at Rock Canyon Park, 2620 N. 1200 East, Provo. Movies start at dusk, around 9 p.m.

Aug. 6 • "The Muppets"

Aug. 13 • "John Carter"

Aug. 20 • "Puss in Boots"

Aug. 27 • "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol"

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SUMMIT COUNTY

Park City

Sundance Institute Summer Series

Movies from the Sundance Film Festival, selected Thursday nights at the Village Stage at The Canyons resort, Park City (unless otherwise noted). Movies start at 9 p.m.

June 21 • "Under African Skies" (Joe Berlinger-directed documentary about Paul Simon and the making of "Graceland")

July 12 • "CSNY Déjà Vu" (2008 documentary directed by Neil Young, under the alias Bernard Shakey, of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's reunion tour)

July 26 • "Filly Brown" (drama about Mexican-American teen discovering her voice through rap)

Aug. 3 • "Bones Brigade: An Autobiography" (Stacy Peralta's documentary about pioneering skateboarding team from the 1980s), a Friday screening at City Park, Park City, in connection with the Kimball Arts Festival. Skateboarding demos, artists designing on skate decks, and an in-person appearance by Peralta.