Enjoy magazine sponsors movies at Anderson River Park in July

OUTDOOR THEATER:
‘Enjoy Movies in the Park’ is an offering of James Maazzotta and Enjoy Magazine’s ETC.

“Enjoy Movies in the Park,” a free family event that has been a hit with North State audiences, moved to Anderson River Park for the month of July, kicking off Friday, July 10, with a showing of the G-rated "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

The weekly film series is sponsored by the new nonprofit arm of Enjoy magazine “ETC,” Enjoy The Community Co. The movie for Friday, July 17, is the PG-rated "The Karate Kid," while Friday, July 24, will bring PG-rated "Back to the Future" to the Anderson River Park and Friday, July 31 will bring the PG-rated "Raiders of the Lost Ark," according to a list of movies posted online at www.enjoymoviesinthepark.com

Open seating begins at 8 p.m. with announcements at 8:30 p.m. at Anderson River Park’s KC Grove, in the newly renovated Gaia Hotel Amphitheatre. The family-oriented film -- projected onto a 30-foot by 17-foot inflatable screen -- begins at dusk. Admission is free, but guests are encouraged to make donations to local charitable causes.

Donations collected in July will be matched by the Anderson Police Officers Association, and the money will be used to purchase food for the local “Christmas in July” food drive at the Good News Rescue Mission. Also, for every two non-perishable food items that guests bring to the event, they will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a prize each week. Twenty percent of concession sales will also be donated to the nominated charitable cause.

More than 650 people brought their lawn chairs, blankets, family and friends to watch a movie in Redding's Caldwell Park on June 26. The crowd in Anderson was a bit smaller July 10, but organizers said they expect the audience to grow once word gets out that the events are a great way to enjoy the outdoors with the entire family.

“It’s simple, relaxing and fun,” said Enjoy magazine’s James Mazzotta, creator of the event. “Our parks are incredible, people love to be outdoors and, at that time of the evening, temperatures are comfortable.”

Contributions collected during June’s Enjoy Movies in the Park events benefited the Redding Police Department’s K-9 unit, which plans to get a new police dog.

Enjoy Movies in the Park is funded entirely by its sponsors. Top Academy sponsors include: Rolling Hills Casino, Palo Cedro Pharmacy, InHouse Marketing and Design and Shasta Regional Medical Center. Golden Globe sponsor: Sign A Rama. People's Choice sponsores: Simpson University, Mercy Medical Center in Redding and PremierWest Bank.