‘Wizard of Oz’ to be screened at the Cove

La Jolla Parks & Recreation Inc. is presenting its annual, free family movie night starting at 7 p.m. at the Cove on Friday with a screening of the iconic Hollywood film “The Wizard of Oz.”

The event will kick off at 7 p.m. with an hourlong performance by Hullabaloo Band. There will also be a face painter and a children’s costume contest, so have your children dress up as one of the movie characters.

The movie was selected because it is a classic appealing to young and old that the whole family can enjoy, said Hobe Schroeder, of the La Jolla Parks & Recreation board, which sponsors the event.

It is also the 70th anniversary of the movie, which premiered in August 1939 just days before the outbreak of World War II on Sept. 1, 1939.

Author Frank Baum also had ties to the San Diego area, having written the book in Coronado.

The movie will be projected on a large inflatable screen next to the Bridge Club building. This year, the projection is being provided by CommCinema, which is showing movies countywide under the logo “SD Movies in the Park.”

The recreation council has presented free movies at Scripps Park since 2004 in cooperation with Promote La Jolla and with the financial help of the county and the city of San Diego.

But this year, no money was received from either, so the sole showing is being funded by La Jolla Park & Rec with some help from La Jolla Kiwanis Club.

Beach blankets and chairs are recommended for movie night. No alcohol is allowed.