It’s another summer of free family fun as Community Movies in the Park returns for its third year next month.

The Fred White family’s gift to Manteca - recent free G-rated movies complete with live entertainment - runs for four consecutive Saturdays starting July 10 at 7 p.m. with live entertainment followed by a movie on a giant screen after dusk.

There are six new features this year:

•stepped up entertainment including Joni Morris’ popular Patsy Cline tribute that often commands $50 tickets.

•a kid’s game tent with such activities as bobbing for apples
•the schedule is being split between Woodward Community Park (July 10 and 17) and Northgate Community Park (July 24 and 31).

•dedicated segments to various Manteca non-profits including videos produced by DeCristo Productions showing what is offered by organizations such as the Manteca Boys & Girls Club, Manteca Unified Student Trust, Give Every Child a Chance, Agape Villages family services, and Second Harvest Food Bank.

•a live game show dubbed “Name That Song” based loosely on the old game show “Name That Tune.”

•Manteca Ford will have vehicles at the venue. If someone buys one of the vehicles that night the proceeds will go to the non-profit being highlighted. The first non-profit is the Boys & Girls Club.

Previous Movies in the Park presentations have drawn upwards of 1,000 people each week for entertainment and movies while enjoying the summer evening with family and neighbors. People are urged to bring folding chairs or blankets for comfort.

There is no charge for any of the entertainment. There will be booths offering movie staples such as water, sodas, popcorn, candy, hot dogs and such. White emphasized that the prices are meant to be affordable with soda and water, for example, costing one dollar.

“Our intent isn’t to gouge people,” White said. “We just want people to come together to have fun.”

White has secured sponsors such as Phil Waterford’s Manteca Ford, South San Joaquin Irrigation District, and Bill Broughton Farmers Insurance. They are helping offset some of the costs. The rest is being picked up by the White family through DeCristo Productions.

The entire family pitches in to make the movie events work. They include Fred and his wife Rochelle and children Landon, 16, Aubreyanna, 11, Elijah, 9, and Evan 6.

“What really makes it worthwhile is that last year we had people who came up to us and said if it hadn’t been for (the movies in the park) that their family wouldn’t have been able to afford to do anything for rte summer,” White said.

Movies in the Park starts July 10 at Woodward Park with the cartoon feature “Planet 51”. Prior to that, the up and coming Manteca group “Mars Hill revisited” will perform.

The July 17 date at Woodward features “Old Dogs” starring John Travolta and Robin Williams. That is the night Joni Morris will perform.

Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side” is the July 24 movie that follows live music by “We are Family” at Northgate Park.

The July 31 movie at Northgate Park is Jackie Chan’s “The Spy next Door.” Prior to that, the “Name that Song” game show takes place.

DeCristo Productions has staged outdoor movie presentations for a fee for apartment complexes and other gatherings. More information is available by calling 922-2673.

Those attending the Movies in the Park are not permitted to bring alcoholic beverages as coolers and bags may be checked. There isn’t a problem bringing soft drinks or food.

Leashed dogs are welcome in designated areas with some restrictions applying.

Children under 16 must have adult supervision.

For more details go to www.PublicParkFilms.com