Burnet’s Movies in the Park features free family films

JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET – From a snowman to a girl on fire, the entire family can enjoy this year’s Movies in the Park series at the Haley Nelson Park amphitheater, 301 Garden Trails.

The Burnet Parks and Recreation Department sponsors the free movies, which this year are “Frozen,” “The Boxtrolls,” “Maleficent” and “Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1.”

Crista Bromley, director of administrative services, said the movies were chosen to appeal to a wide age range of kids.

“They weren’t all for younger kids; there was some appeal to older children,” she said. “It’s why we picked the movies we did. There’s a wide range of attraction to different age levels.”

Movies begin at dark. People can bring lawn chairs or blankets, plus coolers and snacks.

The first movie in the lineup is Disney’s “Frozen” on April 17.

Bromley said last year’s Movies in the Park drew an average of 200 people. The only change — other than the movies — was to have the first movie in the series in April and not have an August movie.

“It was so close to school starting last year, the last movie wasn’t as well attended,” she said.

The next movie is “The Boxtrolls” on May 15. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, the movie is about trash-collecting creatures raising an orphaned boy who comes up with a plan to save the cave-dwelling creatures.

The June 19 film, “Maleficent,” stars Angelina Jolie as the main protagonist in the live-action adaptation of Sleeping Beauty.

The final film in the series is “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1,” on July 17. It is the only PG-13 movie of the four and one of the most popular movies of 2014.

This is the third year for the free movie series, and Bromley said people have appreciated the event.

“People really do seem to think it’s a good deal,” she said. “They appreciate something free for the kids to do.”

Visit the city of Burnet website at www.cityofburnet.com for more information.

jared@thepicayune.com