By Scott Mims

Thorsby’s Movies in the Park will make a return Friday night, May 28, and this year it will be bigger and better.

The event offers a free night out for the entire family, including a movie at Richard Wood Park, a chance to adopt a pet from the Chilton County Humane Society, and free smoke detectors.

The town has purchased a new LCD projector and screen, and volunteers have spent more than a month preparing for the first movie night.

Movies in the Park will run for at least five weeks every Friday night with activities beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a movie at 8 p.m.

“I think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done,” said Thorsby Fire Chief Lee Gunn. “People had been asking throughout the winter if we were going to be able to do it again.”

The idea came from a similar event held in Homewood. Last year, between 150 and 200 people attended each week. Gunn said the town hopes to see those numbers grow.

“We always wanted to do something like this,” he said.

A different movie will be shown each week. All will be movies that the entire family will enjoy, like “The Blind Side” starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. “The Blind Side” tells the story of Michael Oher, a homeless boy who grows up to become a first-round NFL draft pick.

Movie titles and show times are as follows:

May 28: “Monsters vs. Aliens”

June 4: “The Blind Side”

June 11: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

June 18: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”

June 25: “Planet 51”

Attendees will also have an opportunity to help a furry friend in need, either by donating to the Chilton County Humane Society or adopting an animal. Volunteers from the shelter will be on hand with animals to show.

Vendors from local businesses will have concessions available for purchase, and anyone in attendance may sign up to have a free smoke detector installed in their home.

The smoke detectors are available to all Chilton County residents through a state grant. Residents may obtain up to one smoke detector for every bedroom, as well as one for each floor of their home.

A member of the Thorsby Fire Department is required to install the detectors. Installation is performed free of charge. The department will also provide follow-up inspections, Gunn said.

“We’re going to do it for anybody in the county,” he said. “I think it’s a worthwhile campaign.”

People should plan to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Parking is available at the park and in nearby areas.