Films to benefit hospital

Two outdoor movies will be the attraction at the Columbia County Fairgrounds on Friday and June 30.

Those attending Movies Under the Stars, which will benefit the Medical College of Georgia's Children's Medical Center, are asked to bring blankets and lawn chairs for the night of family entertainment.

"It all goes to benefit the hospital," said Julie Graybeal, the special events coordinator for the Children's Medical Center. "It goes for the overall hospital, equipment, outings for the kids and camps."

The Children's Medical Center is putting on Movies Under the Stars - the second half of a series of open-air movies at the fairgrounds. The series will feature The Princess Bride on Friday and Madagascar on June 30, Graybeal said.

The series is sponsored by Gwen Fulcher Young and Associates. Tickets cost $1 at the gate.

The family-centered children's care facility is the area's only children's hospital, dedicated to serving the health care needs of children, from newborns to teenagers.

The four-part film series began June 9 with a showing of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame's Botanical Gardens, followed by Shrek on June 16. The first movie attracted about 500 people. Graybeal said about 1,000 people attended the second movie.

The gates to the fairgrounds on Columbia Road open at 6:30 p.m. and the movies will begin at dusk.

Graybeal said lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are suggested, though concessions will be available.

"There's no alcohol," Graybeal said. ''So it's completely kid-friendly. We wanted something kid-friendly."

For more information about the series, call Graybeal at (706) 721-4004.