From June 6 through June 27, Village Green Park, 3141 Bridgeway Drive, will transform into an open-air cinema offering free family-friendly movies. Photo courtesy of Cordova Community Council

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Grab your blankets, lawn chairs and team spirit. Friday nights in Rancho Cordova are getting a sporty twist this June as the Cordova Community Council rolls out its beloved Moonlight Movies series with a new theme: Summer of Sports.

From June 6 through June 27, Village Green Park, 3141 Bridgeway Drive, will transform into an open-air cinema offering free family-friendly movies.

“This year, we have been exploring sports as a theme in a number of ways,” said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council. “Rancho Cordova Athletic Association has taken off and we have a lot of active youth sports groups in our organization. We thought this would be a fun summer movie theme with special things planned for each movie.”

Families are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs and arrive early to enjoy pre-movie festivities. Activities for children begin around 7 p.m., and food trucks open by 7:45 p.m., with a different culinary experience each week. Movies begin at 8:30 p.m., just as the sun sets.

The series kicks off June 6 with “The Mighty Ducks,” the beloved underdog hockey film. Rancho Cordova Soccer will be onsite, bringing the team spirit, while moviegoers can enjoy Mediterranean flavors from the GyroStop food truck.

On June 13, it’s time to head to the sandlot with the classic baseball movie, “The Sandlot.” Rancho Cordova Little League will hand out peanuts and Cracker Jacks, items that a ballpark must have.

Basketball takes the spotlight on June 20 with “Space Jam,” the animated sports comedy starring Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes crew. Children who show up in uniform will receive Rancho Cordova Athletic Association wristbands. Two crowd-favorite food trucks, Bacon Mania and Build-a-Sundae, will deliver the eats and sweets.

The series wraps up on June 27 with “Turbo,” an animated story about a speed-loving snail. Rancho Cordova Track Club will join the event, handing out flags to young fans. As for food trucks, guests can look forward to some Mexican cuisine.

“Our Summer Series has become as much a part of a Rancho Cordova summer as floating down the American River,” said Blanchard.

But the Moonlight Movies is just the first half of the fun. The Cordova Community Council’s Friday Night Concert Series returns in August, filling Village Green Park with live music, warm summer breezes and community cheer. Food trucks open at 6:30 p.m. and the concerts begin at 7 p.m.

This year’s musical lineup includes American Mile on Aug. 1, White Water on Aug. 8, Neon Playboys on Aug. 15, Ariel Jean on Aug. 22 and Mercy Me on Aug. 29.

Sponsors this year include City of Rancho Cordova, Cordova Recreation and Park District, Gold River Grocery Outlet, Vivant Health, SMUD, River City Christian, Rancho Cordova Food Locker, Rancho Cordova Moose Lodge, David Sander, KP International Market, Atlas Disposal, Visit Rancho Cordova, Rancho Cordova Rotary Club and California American Water.