Newcastle Permanent Building Society’s Cinema Under the Stars is the largest free regional outdoor cinema program in Australia, and visits Orange for the first time tonight to coincide with the banking organisation’s opening in town last week.

Keeping with the family-friendly vibe of the open air cinema concept, the main feature of the event will a be screening of animated comedy Despicable Me 2, rated PG.

Newcastle Permanent chief executive officer Terry Millett said Cinema Under the Stars was just one way Newcastle Permanent gave back to the community.

“Newcastle Permanent is pleased to bring Cinema Under the Stars to Orange and to show our support of the local community,” he said.

“Newcastle Permanent is extremely proud to host Cinema Under the Stars as a unique way of supporting central west families by staging free, major community events that allow them to spend quality time with friends and family.”

Mr Millett said the concept was growing each year.

“Newcastle Permanent’s 2013-14 Cinema Under the Stars program is our biggest yet, lighting up 14 locations across NSW,” he said. 

“It’s a great evening of free, family-friendly entertainment including a blockbuster movie fantastic local artists and community groups.” 

Cinema Under the Stars is open to everyone and as such is a non-alcohol event, and guests are encouraged to bring a picnic. 

Food, and non-alcoholic drinks will available for purchase at the park.

Entertainment begins from 5pm, with the movie to screen from sunset.