MANSFIELD - Residents won't have to leave town to find affordable family fun this summer.

The Mansfield Arts & Education Center has announced a bevy of free events during the summer months, including outdoor movie nights, community sing-a-longs and outdoor theatrical performances for youngsters.

The Friday Night Flicks program kicks off June 20 and will continue on Fridays through Aug. 22.

There will be an activity to go along with each movie, with the activities starting at 7 p.m. and the movie beginning promptly at 8. Bring picnics, snacks, chairs, blankets, sleeping bags and pillows - and see a movie under the stars.

Admission is free and open to the public. This year's Friday Night Flicks are: June 20 - "ET"

June 27 - "Cars"

July 11 - "Rear Window"

July 18 - "The Parent Trap"

July 25 - "Lilo and Stitch"

Aug. 1 - "Back to the Future"

Aug. 8 - "Life is Beautiful"

Aug. 15 - "Shall We Dance"

Aug. 22 - "Mary Poppins"

On Thursday nights, the center will host a musical sing-a-long. The cost for each evening is $10 for YMCA members and $20 for non-members, with admission covering the cost of sheet music and snacks. The sing-a-longs are: July 10 - "West Side Story"

July 17 - "The Music Man"

July 24 - "Mary Poppins"

July 31 - "42nd Street"

Aug. 7 - "The Sound of Music"

Aug. 14 - "The Wizard of Oz"

Aug. 21 - "Cats"

Aug. 28 - "101 Dalmatians"

In addition, the center will host outdoor theatrical performances showcasing fairy tales and fables from July 29 to Aug. 1.

The performances are targeted at pre-schoolers and young children, along with their parents. The 45-minute shows will run daily at 10 a.m. and noon. The shows are free for YMCA members and $2 for non-members.

The Mansfield Arts and Education Center is located at 40 Balcom Street, one block from the Old Country Store and one mile from Mansfield Crossing.

For more information, contact Center Director Andrea Champagne at 508-339-3066 or andreac@hockymca.org.