Local organizations sponsor free movie showings

Looking for something fun and inexpensive to do this summer?

There will be four free moving-going opportunities in the coming weeks provided by the Newton YMCA and United Way of Jasper County with the help of the Newton Capitol II Theatre.

The first two showings will feature “The Sandlot” at 10 a.m. Wednesday and July 23 at the Capitol II Theatre in Newton. The second two showings will feature “We Bought a Zoo” at 10 a.m. Aug. 17 and Aug. 20 at the Capitol II Theatre in Newton. These showings are free and open to the public.

“We felt summer is a great opportunity to offer as many chances for family time,” Newton YMCA Associate Executive Director Rhonda Robson said. “Families are always looking to do things, and what a great way to have a fun and experience some great family movies with great messages.”

The free community movies are funded through a grant awarded to the Newton YMCA through United Way allocations.

“The funds enable the Y to offer free, family-friendly entertainment opportunities for Jasper County citizens,” UWJC board president Zach Umsted said.

“The free movies are a fun way for families to enjoy time together without having to worry about the cost. Capitol II has been a great business partner with these activities, and the Y does a great job picking movies and facilitating the event,” Umsted said.

Tickets are free and can be picked up in advance at the three sponsoring organizations. A 16 ounce pop and 32 ounce popcorn will be offered for $3.

“This is a nice event for the community, especially for anyone who doesn’t usually come to the theater make it to the, and we’re thankful for the Newton Y and United Way for their support,” Capitol II co-owner Dawn Bleeker said.

‘The Sandlot’

“The Sandlot” is a 1993 American coming-of-age baseball comedy film which tells the story of a group of young baseball players.

In the San Fernando Valley during the summer of 1962, Scotty Smalls moves to a new town with his mother and stepfather, and attempts to join a neighborhood baseball team who plays in a local sandlot. Scotty joins his new friends on their many misadventures including being banned from the pool, besting a snooty long-time rival team, and losing a Babe Ruth autographed ball to the yard of a large English Mastiff, The Beast.

‘We Bought a Zoo’

“We Bought a Zoo” is a 2011 American family comedy-drama film loosely based on the 2008 memoir of the same name by Benjamin Mee.

Starring Matt Damon, as Benjamin Mee, the recently widowed father purchases a home for his 14-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter. They drive to an old large house and when they hear a lion roar, the realtor explains that the house comes with a zoo in the back, which closed several years before.

The family takes on the dilapidated zoo and the challenge of preparing the zoo for its reopening to the public.

Contact Kate Malott at
641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com