For the past several years, the City of Sumner has been expanding its offerings of outdoor summer entertainment, making this quaint South Sound city a popular gathering place for families near and far.
One popular summer event series that has garnered Sumner with the reputation as a local summer hub is the city’s popular Music Off Main summer concert series. “Sumner’s Music Off Main has become a long-standing tradition for many families,” says City of Sumner Communications Director, Carmen Palmer. ” People just know to go to Heritage Park on Fridays in July to enjoy live music, dancing and to meet family and friends.”
This year, however, the Sumner Arts Commission decided to build on this tradition by extending the fun through August with the new Saturday entertainment series, Movies Off Main.
“Sumner tried one outdoor movie last year for Open in Sumner, and it was truly magical to sit on the hillside at Heritage Park and watch a movie against the backdrop of the lights of Downtown Sumner and twilight over Main Street,” Palmer says. “Although this is a ‘new tradition,’ hopefully it will catch on quickly, because those coming will not be disappointed,” she adds.
South Sound residents know, however, that outdoor summer movies aren’t an unusual thing. From Metro Parks’ Summer Bash and Movies in the Park to the City of Gig Harbor’s Movies in the Park series, there are countless options across Pierce County when it comes to catching a flick on the green or under the stars.
To differentiate this outdoor summer movie series from others in the area, Palmer says the City of Sumner wanted to bring in a variety of movies that would appeal to a variety of different demographics.
The fun kicks off on Saturday, August 6 with a screening of “Top Gun.” “This will be a great option for older fans to relive seeing Maverick, Goose and all the other on the big screen,” Palmer says. But, because the movies are uncut, parents may want to take into consideration that this movie is rated PG.
Other movies to grace the stage include Pixar’s modern classic, “Cars.” “This is actually a specialty showing called Drive into Sumner, as it’s the night before the Classy Chassis car show,” Palmer explains. “In addition to the showing of the movie at 8:30 p.m., Sumner will have food, music and car related games for the whole family, starting at 5:00 p.m. in Heritage Park.” Movies Off Main’s screening of “Cars” and Drive into Sumner both take place on Saturday, August 13, followed by the Classy Chassis car show on Sunday, August 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The following Saturday, August 20, brings the beloved Disney movie, “Tangled.” “Although it was not quite the phenomenon that “Frozen” became, it’s a great Disney film that will delight younger audiences and perhaps surprise older audiences who maybe missed it when it came out about 10 years ago,” Palmer shares.
Movies Off Main will conclude on Saturday, August 27 with a screening of “When the Game Stands Tall,” a PG-rated film about what defines success for a high school football team. “This one has home-town connections since it features actor Jim Caviezel, whose father graduated from Sumner High School,” Palmer says.
The City of Sumner is excited to offer Movies Off Main to the community, and expects the outdoor summer movies series to join the ranks of its already popular Music Off Main events.
All movies take place on Saturdays in August at Reuben A. Knoblauch Heritage Park, starting at 8:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring low-backed lawn chairs and blankets. Local non-profit organizations will also be on-site at every film, selling snack and candy.
But the fun doesn’t stop when the last credits roll. Sumner plays host to a variety of popular, family-friendly events year-round. For more information about what’s happening in Sumner this summer, visit the City of Sumner online. For more information about Movies Off Main, click here.
Curious about other outdoor summer movies happening this summer? Add these showtimes to your summer itinerary:
Metro Parks
Every summer, Metro Parks’ Summer Bash hits parks around Tacoma, bringing entertainment, movies, food and fun to the various communities that the metropolitan park district serves.
- Summer Bash at the Center at Norpoint — Friday, August 12, activities begin at 6:30 p.m., screening of “Inside Out” begins at dusk.
- STAR Center Summer Bash — Saturday, August 20, activities begin at 6:00 p.m., screening of “Zootopia” begins at dusk.
City of Pierce County Parks and Recreations’ Movies in the Park
Movies in the Park is a Pierce County tradition that draws in families near and far. Grab a blanket and your favorite lawn chair and enjoy an evening of free, family-friendly entertainment. All movies start ad dusk, but you can always come by early for preshow activities and games at 7:00 p.m. Concessions are also available on-site.
- “Aladdin” — Friday, August 19 at Sprinker Recreation Center.
- “Hotel Transylvania 2” — Friday, August 26 at Merdian Habitat Park.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum Drive-In Movie Series
Each year, LeMay – America’s Car Museum encourages the community to enjoy the classic drive-in movie experience. During Saturdays in summer, cruise-in and enjoy watching a variety of flicks on the big screen. (Movies are free to the public, but entrance does not include museum admission.) Grab dinner or a snack from LeMay’s concession stands, then cozy up in your car or curl up in a blanket for the show. All movies start at 4:30 p.m.
- “Star Wars – The Force Awakens” — Saturday, August 6 at LeMay – America’s Car Museum.
- “Jurassic World” — Saturday, August 27 at LeMay – America’s Car Museum.
Puyallup Parks and Recreation’s Outdoor Cinema Flashback Friday
Settle in on the green at Bradley Lake Park this August for Puyallup Parks and Recreation’s final outdoor movie of the summer, “The Incredibles,” on Friday, August 19. The movie starts at dusk. Concessions are available on-site.
