RURAL RETREAT, Va. – Patrons to the Rural Retreat Lake Pool will find a new activity on the park’s calendar this summer, monthly dive-in movies.

Set to begin this Saturday, Wythe County Parks & Recreation leaders say they plan to showcase one movie each month at what they are referring to as a series of “communitywide pool parties.”

Once the pool closes at its regular time of 6 p.m. this Saturday, pool staff will immediately get to work transforming the pool into a pirate themed, swimmable movie theatre.

The gates will then reopen at 8 p.m. and thirty minutes later the 1985 hit movie, The Goonies, will be presented inside the pool area for a new generation to enjoy.

“We’re really excited about the dive-in parties and believe it will provide families with a low-cost and fun activity throughout the summer,” said Kevin Williams, director of Wythe County Parks & Recreation.

Children ages two and under will be allowed into the event free of charge, however, there is a $4 admission price for everyone else. The charges will help offset the costs associated with purchasing the rights to publicly display the movie, as well as compensate the park staff required to work the event.

Williams said that as a way to encourage swimmers to dress for the themed events, the county’s parks and recreation department will be offering a free bag of popcorn to all those who come dressed as pirates.

Park officials say that chairs will be limited and that visitors to the pool should consider bringing one from home.

Sponsors for this weekend’s movie are Forest Family Care, Rural Retreat Florist and Dr. Spraker DDS of Rural Retreat.

In case of inclement weather the movie will be played the following evening, June 15th at the sameime.

The Wythe County Department of Parks & Recreation plans to host two more dive-in pool parties this summer. One in July that will showcase the movie Lelo & Stitch and another the last Saturday in August which will present the movie Frozen. The dress theme for those nights will be Hawaiian and cartoon characters, respectively.

The pool’s regular hours will continue to be noon to 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

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