Movies at the Market returns

The third season of Movies at the Market, a free outdoor movie series held at the Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market, will kick off with "Finding Dory" on June 1.

The series is presented by Visit Hot Springs and the Hot Springs Young Professionals.

Every Thursday in June will feature a free screening of a popular movie at 8:30 p.m. The lawn opens at 7 p.m. Families may bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic. Popcorn, soft drinks, candy and other snacks will be available for purchase. Smoking and glass containers are prohibited. Bug spray will not be provided, but is recommended.

Bill Solleder, special events manager for Visit Hot Springs, said changes have been made this year to gear movie programming more toward children, to include more diversity in the movie choices, and to start the series earlier in the year to avoid hot outside temperatures.

In years past, the Movies at the Market series kicked off in mid-June and ended in late July, and Solleder said event organizers noticed a significant drop in attendance when the outdoor temperatures began to rise.

He said last year the highest approximate attendance was 500, and the lowest was 175, "which is why we had to change the schedule slightly to only include the month of June because those attendances dropped when we got to July and it was just too hot," he added. "We decided to start earlier to take advantage of cooler temperatures."

This summer's movie lineup includes:

• June 1 -- "Finding Dory."

• June 8 -- "School of Rock."

• June 15 -- "The Jungle Book."

• June 22 -- "The Princess Frog."

• June 29 -- "Rogue One-A Star Wars Story."

Solleder said movie programming has been adjusted this year to include more G-rated and animated movies because families are more likely to attend with their children.

"The programming is mostly directed toward kids, like 'Finding Dory' and 'Jungle Book' and 'Princess and the Frog,'" he said. "'Star Wars' and 'School of Rock,' they're not exactly edgy but they're a little more intense for the little ones, but still cool for the older ones. So, just a slight change in how we're programming, and of course the dates, and I think attendance should be up there."

The issue of diversity came up this year while deciding on the movie lineup, Solleder said, and was considered when choosing the movies.

In case of rain, that week's movie will be pushed to the following week and the series will be extended.

Pets are welcome, but must be on a leash. Attendees or pets who cause excessive noise during the movie will be asked to leave. Security will be on site.

All proceeds from concession sales will benefit the Hot Springs Young Professionals.

Movies at the Market is sponsored by Resort TV Cable, Oaklawn Jockey Club, Roberts Family Attractions, and National Park Medical Center.