This time of year brings many things: swimming, triple digit temperatures and one of our favorites, the Loft's annual Kids Fest.
It's a great time to catch up on movies and enjoy somebody else's air conditioner, at least for a couple hours.
Parents and kids pack the carnival area filled with rides, face-painting and music.
But first, a party
This year's theme for the kickoff party is "Halloween in July," in honor of the festival's first film, "The Nightmare Before Christmas."
The kids can dress up in their favorite costumes, go trick-or-treating, play games and listen to live music by the Nap Skippers.
The party will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and it's free to go. But, you'll need money if you want to see a stunt show or go on rides.
What is Loft Kids Fest?
You and your kids will be able to see some of the most popular classic family films — a different one daily for nine days — with themed pre-show activities and popcorn. All for free.
The Loft staff tries to choose a variety of films, from animated to live action and foreign, so families can see the wide variety of movies out there.
Kids Fest runs from July 23 to July 31.
The Loft Cinema is located at 3233 E. Speedway.
Movie schedule
Each film starts at 10 a.m., but activities hosted by Mildred & Dildred start at 9:15 a.m. So, get there early to have some fun before the film. And to make sure you get a seat.
Here's what's playing:
Tim Burton casts
Halloween Town regular Jack Skellington in this delightfully twisted “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which opens teh 10th annual Loft Cinema Kids Fest on Saturday, July 23.
July 23: "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
Storyline: Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town is bored with doing the same old thing for Halloween. So, when he stumbles into Christmas Town, he is so taken by it that he tries to get the resident bats, ghouls and goblins of Halloween Town to help him put on Christmas instead of Halloween.
July 24: "Jumanji"
Storyline: Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst star in the story of a man-child who has been trapped in a jungle board game for 26 years and is released from the game. But, he is forced to play again and ends up setting the jungle creatures loose on the city. Now he has to stop them.
Maya and Kip in a scene from Disneynature's "Monkey Kingdom." Photo courtesy of Disneynature
July 25: "Monkey Kingdom"
Storyline: A nature documentary that follows a newborn monkey and its mother as they struggle to survive in the ancient ruins of the jungles of South Asia.
July 26: "The Little Prince"
Storyline: Musical fantasy about a little prince who comes to Earth on an astroid and tells tales of his journeys throughout the solar system.
July 27: "The Powerpuff Girls Movie"
Storyline: Three super-powered little girls — Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup — constantly save the city of Townsville from monsters, would-be conquerers and a few other things.
Michel Ocelet’s signature shadow puppet style comes to brilliant life in “Tales of the Night,” which bursts of Day-Glo colors and kaleidoscopic patterns.
July 28: "Tales of the Night"
Storyline: Six exotic fables are weaved together, each taking place in a different locale — from Tibet to medieval Europe to the Land of the Dead. The film was rendered in a shadow puppet style with Day-Glo colors and kaleidoscopic patterns.
July 29: "Looney Tunes on the Big Screen!"
Storyline: Old Saturday morning cartoons with your favorite Warner Brothers characters like Porky Pig, Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny.
July 30: "James and the Giant Peach"
Storyline: After James' parents are killed he goes to live with his horrible aunts. He befriends human-like bugs who live inside a giant peach and take the boy on a journey to New York City.
Handout still of the movie Despicable Me. (L to R) Edith (DANA GAIER), Gru (STEVE CARELL), Agnes (ELSIE FISHER) and Margo (MIRANDA COSGROVE) ride a roller coaster in Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's inaugural 3-D CGI feature, "Despicable Me". The film tells the story of one the world's greatest villains who meets his match in three little girls. Photo Credit: Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. Copyright: © 2010 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
July 31: "Despicable Me"
Storyline: Trying desperately to be the "World's Greatest Villain," Gru and his mischievous minions plot to steal the moon. He is changed for the better when he uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for his scheme and they end up seeing him as a dad.
