Summer is outdoor movie season

With a sour economy, it’s becoming more difficult to afford a trip to the movies.

Luckily, in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, there are ample opportunities to watch movies for free or about half of what regular admission costs — all under the stars.
 

There are weekly and monthly movies in the park events in Tuolumne, Copperopolis, Groveland and Twain Harte. The Pinecrest Theater shows new movies among the pines almost every night.

Free movies will be shown at dusk on July 10, July 24, August 7 and August 21 at the Veterans Memorial Park in Tuolumne. These movies are hosted by Michael Ortegon Team Realty.

“The movies and popcorn are free,” said Beverly Ortegon, event organizer. “Just bring a chair and blanket.”    

This is the third year for Movies in the Park in Tuolumne.

“We wanted to do something for the community,” Ortegon said.

“The Ghost and Mr. Chicken” will be showing on July 10, and “Hotel for Dogs” will be showing on July 24. These will be followed by “Shark Tale” on Aug. 7 and “Chicken Run” on Aug. 21.

On the last Friday of every month through the summer, free movies will be shown at the Copperopolis Town Square.

“We have an inflatable screen in front of the gazebo,” said Les Stanton, site manager.

There’s also free popcorn.

“Last month we did ‘Monsters, Inc.’ and the month before ‘Cutthroat Island,’ “ he said. “We kind of change it up a little bit.”

The next movie showings will be at dusk this Friday, July 24 and Aug. 28.

The movies haven’t yet been determined. Visit the Copperopolis Town Square Web site for more information at www.copperopolistownsquare.com.

“We try to give our children and families in the community something in this economy that doesn’t cost anything,” Stanton said.

There are also weekly movie showings at Mary Laveroni Community Park in Groveland, which are sponsored by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, and at Eproson Park in Twain Harte, sponsored by the Twain Harte Area Chamber of Commerce.   

The Twain Harte showings are free. Upcoming films include “Spiderwick Chronicles” this Friday, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” on July 3 and “Iron Man” on July 10.   

Movies at Mary Laveroni Park are $4 for ages 13 and over, $3 for ages 6 to 12, and children 5 and younger are free.

Upcoming shows include “Hotel for Dogs” on Saturday, “Madagascar 2” on July 11 and “The Tale of Despereaux” on July 18.

Almost every night at dusk, newly released movies are shown at Pinecrest Theater at Pinecrest Lake. Currently, the movies “Up,” “Monsters vs. Aliens” and “Star Trek” are rotating nightly.

Tickets are $6, ages 3 and younger are free.

Visit the theater’s Web site for daily listings at www.pinecrest-theater.com.

Movies have been showing at Pinecrest since 1935, said Dave Patterson, who along with his wife operates the theater at the Pinecrest Amphitheater.

“It’s probably one of the most beautiful surroundings for any theater,” Patterson said. “To see ‘Star Trek’ and look up to see the stars ... it’s like no other theater experience.”