Lawrence film fest

Lawrence’s Sunset Drive-In closed more than 25 years ago. A Sonic Drive-In and a radio station now occupy its former space. But for almost as long as the Sunset has been closed, Lawrence Parks and Recreation has filled the outdoor film void with a summer movie series. For the past two summers, Parks and Rec has teamed up with Downtown Lawrence Inc., to put on the Downtown Film Festival. The north side of the downtown parking garage, at Ninth Street and New Hampshire, serves as the canvas for this summer’s free series, which features some of the best movies of the early noir era, says Duane Peterson, an events supervisor for Parks and Rec. The film starts around 9:15 p.m. At 8, giveaways from downtown merchants and local band Two for Fun will entertain moviegoers who arrive early to stake out the best spot for their chairs and blankets. For more information, call 785-832-7940.

Thu., June 19, 8 p.m.; Thu., July 3, 8 p.m.; Thu., Aug. 7, 8 p.m.; Thu., Aug. 21, 8 p.m., 2008