SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Children of all ages “followed the yellow brick road” as about 50 people attended the Friday Night Flick that featured “The Wizard of Oz” at the Eastern Shore Centre fountain.

Laughter filled the air as children played before the film began; they made new friends over popcorn and drinks, sword-faught with unclasped glow-in-the-dark necklaces and chased each other in the grass as their painted faces and temporarily-tatooed limbs stood out against the evening’s light.

Parents watched from blankets and lawn chairs, couples sat on benches and teens skipped along the sidewalk and laughed.

Jackie Barfield stamped children with ink dinosours, leaves and jungle animals as her daughters, Amanda, 6, and Jessica, 5, made friends with Mahlynee Marino, 6, and Maysun Marino, 3.

Amy Bauer relaxed on a blanket as Noah, 7, and Devon, 3, played.

Mia Lenz, 1, splashed in a puddle left by the fountain as her parents watched from a nearby bench. Steve Barfield walked around to guests as he pulled a cooler on wheels, offering bottled water before the show began.

The Barfield girls found their step-grandmother, Barbara Richardson, and danced at the fountain.

“It’s a wonderful family night; it’s a time to welcome summer and enjoy the children—to have fun and lots of laughts,” Richardson said. “Just enjoy the Alabama weather.”

The family-friendly event provided free popcorn, bottled water, sodas, temporary tatoos, face painting, glow-in-the-dark bracelets and necklaces, ballons and hand-held fans.

The Eastern Shore Centre plans to hold another Friday Night Flick in the fall; for more information, call 625-0060.