Free Akron Outdoor Movies announces a free showing of the film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” at Glendale Cemetery, in the group’s eighth year of popup outdoor cinema in Akron.

The movie will take place Saturday, Sept. 21, on the Great Meadow of the historic Glendale Cemetery, 150 Glendale Ave., near downtown Akron. Gates, trolley service, food trucks and alien activities will open at 6 p.m. and the film will start around 8 p.m. This family-friendly space party is free and open to the public.

Rather than storming Area 51, attendees are invited to get in contact with their inner alien by coming in sci-fi attire and joining the costume parade at 7:30 p.m. “Close out the last weekend of the ‘Summer of Space’,” said John Bryson, Free Akron Outdoor Movie committee member, “And gather around our inflatable mothership of a screen for this alien movie classic under the stars.”

Moviegoers are encouraged to arrive as early as 6 p.m. to tour The Civil War Memorial Chapeland picnic on the grounds, with local food vendors including Stray Dog Cart. The West Hill Neighborhood Organization will also sell snacks, popcorn and drinks. Pink Velvet Studio will lead an interactive alien activity and Ed Cote will help attendees stack rocks in the shape of Devil’s Tower.

The 1977 blockbuster “Close Encounters” is one of the rare films both written and directed by Stephen Spielberg, a native Ohioan. Shot with Spielberg’s trademark visual mystery and splendor, this transcendent tale includes spectacular special effects, John Williams’ outstanding score and winning performances from Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, and Francois Truffaut. After an accidental encounter with UFOs, an ordinary man follows a series of psychic clues to the first close encounter with aliens of the third kind: contact.

Attendees are welcome to bring their own low chairs, blankets and flashlights, but are asked to leave pets at home. Parking and trolley service will run from the parking lot above Glendale at 182 Wills Ave. From the main entrance, go up the Locust Street hill and turn right onto Wills Avenue. Two trolleys provided by the city of Akron will run on a loop between the lot and the meadow until 8:30 p.m. and then resume following the movie at 10:30 p.m. Additional walk-in parking is available across the street from the West entrance at January Paint & Wallpaper, 394 W. Exchange St.

In the case of rain, the event will be moved back one day to Sunday, Sept. 22, at the same times. For weather and other event updates, check the Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/404891460154505/.

Free Akron Outdoor Movies (https://www.facebook.com/FreeAkronOutdoorMovies/) is a volunteer committee that plans and hosts several free outdoor movies each summer. The events are always free, but donations of any amount are welcomed. This event is made possible by the generous support of Knight Foundation and Akron Community Foundation. In kind support provided by the City of Akron, The Akronist, Sully’s Rentals and Glendale Cemetery.