With the summer of 2020 coming to a close and the pandemic a fixture of life, local families search for ways to pass the time outdoors. Enter the locally-grown series, "Movies Under the Stars," presented by Woodland Park Crossing, 12960 Highland Crossing Drive in Herndon. Family-friendly free movies are being shown on a big screen set up on the breezy upper parking deck behind Moby Dick House of Kabob at Woodland Park Crossing.

"People are tired of being in their homes. They are looking for something to do but they still want to be safe. So, if we can provide them an environment where they hang out with their family, and do so differently outside of their normal, that makes me feel good," said Marion C. Myers, Myers Public Relations, LLC.

According to Myers, safety was number one. She and others spent the summer researching safe practices and following state and local rules. "Everybody that comes in has to wear masks. We have extra masks, sanitizer and enforce distancing," Myers said. Portable LED ground lights marked each four-person viewing space, physically distanced following County guidelines. "When the family gets in their spot, they're away from everybody else," said Meyers.

Bruno and Libby Bianchi of Reston brought their daughters, Lucia and Annabelle. "We needed to get out of the house and do something different in the community. This is a great and safe opportunity," said Libby. Off to the side in the family's area rested two pizzas from a local establishment. "We encourage people to eat here," said Meyers. "We've got the telephone numbers for all the restaurants on the website."

As each group entered the venue, they received a goodie bag with special offers from Woodland Park Crossing retailers. For a little extra fun, organizers held a mask contest for the most creative, goofy mask. Tim and Robyn Ristau of Herndon brought their daughter Summer, 7, who proudly sported a puppy face mask. Holding her hands up like paws, Summer said she hoped to win the competition.

Meyers gave a callout to Pinot's Palette for helping to organize the event, and sponsor Kiran Gunnam, owner of PJ Mulligans-Bourbon Boulevard. Organizers scheduled the next free movie, "Princess Bride," for Friday, Sept. 11. Attendance is limited, and registration is required. Visit woodlandparkcrosing.com.