Cheap children's flicks on the big screen

Those looking for relief from the scorching summer heat can head to the Columbia County Library for indoor and outdoor entertainment.

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Columbia County will offer free family movies in the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center each Wednesday in June.

The series starts Wednesday and will feature the 2005 animated film Madagascar, followed by the 2006 animated film Curious George on June 11, the 2006 animated film Happy Feet on June 18 and the 2005 film Herbie Fully Loaded on June 25.

"We tried to pick four different ones," county Community Events Manager Stacie Adkins said. "Not necessarily all animated, but just four different types of movies."

Each movie, targeted at children, begins at 1 p.m., but tickets can be picked up at noon.

"We are encouraging people to eat lunch, and then come join us for the movie," Adkins said. "Every Wednesday, it'll give moms a chance to get out of the house and take their children to the library, eat lunch and come to a movie."

Attendees can bring only bottled water into the theater.

Adkins said the movie series likely will continue next year if it receives a good response from the public.

For information, call Adkins at (706) 312-7191 or visit www.columbiacountyga.gov.

For movies outdoors, MCGHealth Children's Medical Center will hold its third annual Movies Under the Stars series each Saturday in June at the Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans.

The series will feature Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who on June 7, Alvin and the Chipmunks on June 14, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep on June 21 and Shrek the Third on June 28.

Tickets cost $2 for adults and $1 for ages 13 and younger, and can be purchased by cash or check.

Gates open at 7 p.m. and the four films, shown on a 30-foot screen, will begin at dusk.

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and coolers. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

"The MCGHealth Children's Medical Center is pleased to again offer this affordable family entertainment," MCG Health's Director of Marketing and Planning Kim Marlatt said in an e-mail. "This is a popular series each summer, and while the price of gas and other commodities continue to rise, we are glad we can continue providing Movies Under the Stars at well under today's theater prices."

For more information, call (706) 721-5736 or visit www.mcghealth.org/kids.