Sykesville Outdoor Summer Cinema Returns to South Branch Park

It's the 2013 version of a drive-in movie. Gather the kids, grab a blanket and head to South Branch Park in Sykesville to watch a flick under the stars. 

Sykesville's Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting its second summer outdoor cinema series starting with a showing of We Bought a Zoo this Saturday, June 8.

To coincide with the theme of the first movie, The Maryland State Parks Scales and Tales program will have live reptiles and birds of prey on display at South Branch Park beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. A naturalist from the Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to answer questions and discuss interesting facts about the animals. 

Movies, shown on a 12-foot inflatable movie screen, will be featured on the second Saturday of the month through the summer at South Branch Park in Sykesville. The shows will begin at dusk.

"The River" Snack Shack will be open during all movie nights serving freshly-popped popcorn, candy, soda, coffee, hot chocolate, bottled water, and glow sticks.

There is no cost to attend the movie events. Parking is available at South Branch Park which includes easy access handicapped parking. South Branch Park is located just across the Patapsco River from downtown Sykesville. 

Call the Sykesville Cinema Hotline at (443) 300-8724 to check movie status in the event of questionable weather. 

To make the event even more worthwhile, Sykesville Parks and Recreation hopes to support various charities within the community. During the 2013 Sykesville Cinema Summer Series, non-perishable food donations will be collected for Carroll County Food Sunday. Place donated items in the marked plastic bins at the park entrance during movie night. 

Scheduled Movies:

• Saturday, June 8 - We Bought a Zoo (PG) We Bought a Zoo is a story about finding joy, the power of family, and the triumph of hope. A widowed father buys a dilapidated zoo in hopes of making a fresh start. While facing enormous odds to keep the zoo open, he must find the courage to recommit to his children and to their new life together. Based on a true story.

• Saturday, July 13 - How to Train Your Dragon (PG) Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn't exactly fit in with his tribe's longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup's world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges he and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view.

• Saturday, Aug. 10 - American Graffiti (PG) One of the most influential of all teen films, American Graffiti is a funny, nostalgic, and bittersweet look at a group of recent high school grads' last days of innocence. Taking place in the late 50s/early 60s, the movie follows four teenagers who spend their summer nights cruisin’ and hangin’ out.

• Saturday, Sept. 14 (Rain date for May’s movie) Finding Nemo (G) In the depths of the Great Barrier Reef, Marlin, an overly protective clownfish, embarks on a daring rescue mission when his beloved son, Nemo, gets scooped up by a diver. With his unforgettable friend Dory by his side, Marlin encounters an ocean full of memorable comedic characters on his momentous journey – to find Nemo.

To learn more about Sykesville Cinema Summer Series visit www.sykesville.net/SPARC.pdf