The Powell Police Department is offering a free night of family fun at the American Dream Drive-in this weekend.

Saturday’s event will feature a kid-friendly “crime scene investigation,” free T-shirts and popcorn for children and a screening of the new film “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.”

Police have hosted similar events in the past, but it’s been some time since the last family movie night.

“It’s always been popular,” said Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt, who’s hoping for another strong turnout.

Things start at 7 p.m., when children will be asked to solve “The Case of the Missing Biker.”

In the fictional but realistic scenario, youth will follow the clues to find a girl who’s not where she’s supposed to be — prompting her mother to report her as missing.

After being sworn in as junior officers by Powell Mayor John Wetzel, participants will follow the clues to track down the missing biker. Along the way they’ll learn lessons like how to safely cross streets and the potential danger posed by strangers.

“The big part, obviously, is the relationship building” between police and local youth, said Eckerdt. “It’s also an opportunity to have those conversations on pedestrian safety, biking safety and stranger safety and all that stuff.”

Youth will also get a chance to explore the department’s mobile command post and check out various police equipment, like entry tools.

The drive-in will show “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” as the skies begin to darken, likely around 8:30 p.m.

“We definitely would like to see the kids come and take part in the events as opposed to just [coming] for the movie,” Eckerdt said.

The live-action film is based on the long-running Nickelodeon cartoon, “Dora the Explorer.”

Rotten Tomatoes describes the movie as “a family-friendly adventure that retains its source material’s youthful spirit.”

Eckerdt said the department always tries to pick a movie that fits the elementary and middle school age crowd. That “Dora” happened to be showing this weekend “just worked really well,” he said.

Police have been working on the event with the American Dream Drive-in owner/operator Pokey Heny, who’s only charging the department $250 for the movie screening.

“Any type of these events, she really supports,” Eckerdt said of Heny.

Beyond the opportunities for outreach and education, the chief said family fun night is also intended to promote families spending time together.

The American Dream Drive-in is located at 1070 Road 9, south of Powell.