20 years of Movies Under The Stars

Since 2004, the Rio Rancho Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department has hosted Movies Under The Stars. This year is no exception.

"This was a community want, and we as a city were willing to provide what was, at the time, a unique event," said Noah Trujillo, the deputy director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.

The tradition even continued in the pandemic with drive-in movies.

Although the first movie, "42" was cancelled June 21 due to weather, there are still three more movies planned over the next few months:

• July 26: "E.T." (1982)

• Aug. 16: "Lady and the Tramp" (2019)

• Sept. 13: "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" (2022)

The movies are subject to change.

"We select our movies based on popularity and availability. We selected the movies this year because they are popular with families and children. In particular, we selected the movie "42" because it coincided with the Juneteenth holiday," Trujillo said.

The movies will start playing at dusk at the Cabezon Park and Community Center.

The city's website encourages movie-goers to "gather up the gang, bring blankets, folding chairs, order some food from the on-site food trucks, sit back and relax with a movie under the stars."

On-site restrooms will be available for use.

In case inclement weather, cancellations will be made one hour before the movie starts.

For additional information, call the Cabezon Community Center at 505-892-4499.