Free Family Flicks in Forsyth

When Forsyth County resident Paul Murray had a hard time finding free activities to do with his wife and two daughters during summer vacation, he took matters into his own hands. Seven years ago, Murray founded Southern Outdoor Cinema, which travels throughout Forsyth, north Fulton and Cherokee counties to play family-friendly movies at Georgia Movies in the Park events.

“Great affordable family-friendly events are hard to find these days,” Murray said. “Southern Outdoor Cinema is changing that.”

Southern Outdoor Cinemas is partnering with Northside Hospital Forsyth and The Cumming Fairgounds to show the movie The Croods this Sunday in the fairgrounds’ arena. Since the movie is indoors, it will be shown rain or shine. Seating is available in the stands, or guests can bring blankets and lawn chairs. Food is allowed, but alcohol is prohibited. And, food vendors will be on-site selling movie snacks.

The movie will begin at sundown. An hour before the show, attendees can walk the red carpet at the "Step and Repeat" booth, have their pictures taken at the photo booth and get their faces painted.

“Come out with friends and family, lay out a blanket, share a picnic, sit back and watch your kids participate in pre-movie activities and listen to music playing in the background as the sun sets over the park,” Murray said. “Then enjoy an outstanding show under the stars as the smell of freshly popped popcorn wafts through the air.”

The event is free. The next Georgia Movies in the Park event will be on Aug. 10 when Ice Age 4: Continental Drift will be shown.

Georgia Movies in the Park is the state’s longest-running festival and outdoor movie event and is known as “Atlanta’s most kid-friendly outdoor movie series.” It travels from city to city, showing movies in parks and downtown areas from May-December.

Other nearby locations where Georgia Movies in the Park will stop include Alpharetta/John’s Creek, Canton, Woodstock and Dawsonville.