Back by popular demand, “Summer Movie Mania” returns to Liberty Station with its free Saturday-night blockbuster hits throughout August. The five-week program is designed to provide family flavored entertainment and introduce San Diego residents and visitors to the host of sponsors and tenants of Liberty Station. The event is expected to lure hundreds of people every Saturday night through August, beginning at sunset — that is, anywhere from 8 to 8:30 pm. Movie features — all of which are rated PG except for the Aug. 22 showing of Seabiscuit — will be shown in various locations throughout Liberty Station on big-screen TVs. Visitors are encouraged to sample the flavors of the area by grabbing a bite to eat from the restaurants and perusing the many stores located in the Liberty Station neighborhood. Organizers said dogs are allowed at the series if on a leash and alcohol is permitted at all but the first night’s showing. Moviegoers are also encouraged to bring blankets, sweaters and lawn chairs. “Our family has attended the features in the past and had so much fun making new friends during the beautiful San Diego summer nights,” said Point Loma resident Mary Eber. “While the children were watching a magic show before the movie, my husband and I met people who traveled from as far as from El Cajon to come out and enjoy the event,” she said. The “Summer Movie Mania” lineup and Liberty Station locations are: • Aug. 1 — “Grease,” NTC Landing/Sail Ho Golf Course • Aug. 8 — “Kung Fu Panda,” Ingraham Plaza • Aug. 15 — “Field of Dreams,” South Promenade • Aug. 22 — “Seabiscuit,” Harbor Square behind the Hilton Homewood Suites • Aug. 29 — Concert by The Heroes (a seven-person band that has performed throughout the world with renowned singers Elton John and Carley Smithson and done several shows with Jay Leno), followed by a “viewers choice” movie that will feature either “Top Gun,” “Back to the Future” or “ET.” This final night of the series takes place at Ingraham Plaza. The “viewers choice” selection on Aug. 29 will actually be chosen in advance by the public. Visit www.libertystation.com and click on the Movie Mania logo to cast a vote for “Top Gun,” “Back to the Future” or “ET.” The movie with the most votes wins. Corvette Diner servers will offer onstage performances before “Grease” and the United States Karate Academy will offer a demonstration before “Kung Fu Panda.” But plenty more is in store for visitors. “Liberty Station Ace Hardware was generous enough to offer the ‘Best Seat in the House Contest,’ where winners receive free up-front seating to a featured movie for four people in amazing lawn chairs with cup holders, ice buckets, bug spray and a homelike set up modeled after the Padres’ contest with the same name,” said event producer Erin Dial. Contests will run each movie night and will be held in raffle style. Contest entry is free. Information on how to participate will be given at the beginning of the feature. “Based on the turnout from the past event, we are expecting a crowd of 500 people to attend the first night with the following nights to gather exponentially,” said Dial. “Each location can accommodate large crowds for events such as this but I encourage people to come early because everyone is so excited that this is happening again.” For more information regarding “Sumner Movie Mania,” to obtain a map or to learn more about Liberty Station, visit www.libertystation.com.
