Enjoy free, family friendly movies this summer at Town Square Las Vegas

Gather the family, leave the wallet at home and let local movie venues entertain you this summer.

Be Rave Motion Pictures' guests at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South, for free G- or PG-rated films at 10 a.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday or catch a dusk-time flick at about 8 p.m. every Thursday in Town Square Park.

Rave's Family Film Festival invites residents to beat the heat and summer doldrums with free entertainment for the fourth year in a row, said Kara Donnelly, event coordinator.

"It's something good for the families to do to get out of the heat," she said.

Some titles have drawn up to 800 moviegoers, and more than 20,000 visitors have shared in the free fun since the theater opened in 2008.

Jenny Potoczniak took her two young children and a friend to a June 8 showing of "Megamind" and said the kids mark the calendar and look forward to movie day.

"They wake up a little earlier on mornings they know we're coming here," she said. "It's cute to see them get excited."

Potoczniak said the family usually goes to lunch and shops after a showing.

"It usually tires them out, and I get my afternoon fun," she said.

Donnelly said there also is a benefit for the theater and shopping center.

"It drives traffic to the center . It's good for the restaurants, too," she said. "A lot of people go to the kids' park afterward."

Seating for all features is on a first-come, first-served basis.

On June 14, a day camp group occupied a corner of a viewing of "Yogi Bear" while families funneled into other rows. Donnelly said screenings have "sold out" in past years, and the theater is prepared if theaters fill up.

Titles are selected via availability, Donnelly said.

Food combos are available at a reduced rate during the showings.

Scheduled movies

Planned films at Rave Motion Pictures include:

n Today and Wednesday: "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"

n June 28-29: "Live Large"

n July 5-6: "Ramona and Beezus"

n July 12-13: "The Lightning Thief"

n July 19-20: "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

n July 26-27: "Gulliver's Travels"

Films at Town Square Park are set to include:

n June 23: "The Karate Kid (2010)"