8/24/11: Family Films by the Fountain scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2011 is CANCELLED due to storm preparations and the expected severe weather conditions.

Saturdays in August: August 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2011

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism will present the fifth season of the Family Films by the Fountain free film series at City Center at Oyster Point on Saturday evenings in August (August 6, 13, 20 and 27). Each evening will begin at 7:00 p.m. with free Film-Themed Fun featuring games, crafts, entertainment, and give-a-ways based on the theme of that evening’s film.

Family Films by the Fountain Schedule:

August 6, 2011: Mary Poppins; Rated G
From the moment Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) floats into the Banks’ household, things are never the same. The children, Jane and Michael, are swept into magical romps across the English countryside, tea parties on the ceiling, and madcap dances over the rooftops of London. FREE Film-Themed Fun: Activities- jump in the Carousel Bounce House and slide down the Giant Double Slide; Crafts- color your own Umbrella, Draw Chalk Pictures on the Sidewalk with a Chalk Artist, and have your Face Painted; and Games- Penguin Catch (win prizes).

August 13, 2011: Finding Nemo; Rated G
Pixar takes us under the sea to the world of clownfish Marlin and his son Nemo. When the defiant Nemo takes off from his dad and gets captured by a tropical fish seeker he finds himself stuck in a fish tank in a dentist’s office. Marlin and his well meaning, but wacky, friend Dory embark on an epic journey to find his son. FREE Film Themed-Fun: Activities- bounce in the inflatable Finding Nemo Experience, slide down the Gone Fishing Two Lane Slide, climb the Tiki Island Rock Wall, and meet Nemo’s friends from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center (exhibits and touch tank); Crafts- make a Fish Aquarium Picture and have your Face Painted; and Games- play Hook the Scuba Mask (win candy prizes).

August 20, 2011: How to Train Your Dragon; Rated PG
Set in the mythical world Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, this action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe’s longstanding traditions of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup’s world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges he and fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view. FREE Film Themed Fun: Activities- bounce in the Dragon Moon Bounce, climb the Rock Wall, and meet unusual creatures from Zoo Pro (exotic animal exhibit); Crafts- color your own Sword and have your Face Painted; and Games- play Slay a Dragon (win prizes).

August 27, 2011: The Last Airbender; Rated PG
Air, Water, Earth, Fire - four nations tied by destiny. When the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others, a century has passes with no hope in sight to change the path of the destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara, a
Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka, to restore balance to their war-torn world. FREE Film Themed Fun: Activities- fly through the air on the Bungee Bounce; Crafts- break open your own Geode and have your Face Painted; Games- control the air in the Airbender Game (win prizes); and Entertainment: be amazed by Fire Dancing, Fire Eating, Jump Stilts Tricks, and Contact Juggling by Bacchannal Promotions.

Admission to Family Films by the Fountain is free and the Film-Themed Fun activities are free. The first 100 families each night will receive a free tote bag.  Free popcorn will be available each night, while supplies last. A Food Vendor will be on site selling snacks and soft drinks ($). The Film-Themed Fun activities will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the film starting at twilight (approximately 8:30 p.m.). The end time of the event will be determined by the length of the film. Pets are not permitted in the event area.

Free parking is available in the Merchants Walk Parking Garage (from I-64, take Exit 256A onto Oyster Point Rd., turn left onto Canon Blvd., turn right onto Town Center Drive, turn right to enter the Merchants Walk Parking Garage) and the Fountain Way Parking Garage (from I-64, take Exit 256A onto Oyster Point Rd., turn left onto Canon Blvd., turn right onto Thimble Shoals Blvd., turn right onto Fountain Way, turn left into the Fountain Way Parking Garage).

For more information, call (757) 926-1400.