Movies in the Park to begin Friday

Madera’s annual Movies in the Park summer film series will kickoff Friday with a showing of G-rated action fantasy “Pokémon: The First Movie” at dusk.

Movies in the Park, presented by Madera Parks and Community Services, will continue weekly at the Allen Harkins Amphitheater of Lions Town and Country Park, 2300 Howard Road, through Aug. 25.

Fans of the augmented reality game Pokémon Go should come early for Friday’s 1998 animated flick. A Pokémon Go Lure Party is planned for 5:30-7:30 p.m. after park staff activates “lures” to attract digital Pokémon to all Pokéstops within the park.

Pokémon themed raffle prizes will also be given away around 7:45 p.m. at the amphitheater. Free raffle tickets (one per person) will be available at the amphitheater’s concession stand. Ticket holders must be present to win.

The rest of the planned films first screened in 2016. They are “The Secret Life of Pets” (PG, July 14), “The Legend of Tarzan” (PG-13, action drama, July 21), “Zootopia” (PG, mystery, July 28), “Sing” (PG, musical drama, Aug. 4), “Finding Dory” (PG, comedic drama, Aug. 11), “The Jungle Book” (PG, fantasy drama, Aug. 18), and “Moana” (PG, fantasy adventure, Aug. 25).

Other upcoming activities include a free Teddy Bear Picnic at John W. Wells Youth Center, 701 East 5th St., at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 10 (Bring Your Own Bear) and the fourth annual Superhero Dance, free for all ages, at the center 6-11 p.m. July 15 with prizes for best costumes.

For information, call 661-5495.