It used to be just a regular part of the family experience – the chance to enjoy movies outdoors. But with the closure of nearly all drive-in cinemas in the province, it’s just not as easy as it used to be to experience the silver screen under the summer sky.
Fortunately for New West residents, the city is stepping into the void by offering up its summer movie series at Queen’s Park Stadium once again.
The fifth annual movie series, sponsored by Park Georgia Realty and G&F Financial Group, comes to the stadium every Friday night through the summer – launching Friday, July 8 with a showing of E.T.
It continues with The Princess Bride on July 15, Guardians of the Galaxy on July 22, Kung Fu Panda 3 on July 29, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Aug. 5, Minions on Aug. 12, Big Hero 6 on Aug. 19 and Inside Out on Aug. 26.
Ryan Weber, the city’s acting youth services coordinator, is heading up the planning for the movie series for the second year. He notes that the city tries to achieve a mix of films - some classics alongside some aimed specifically at kids – to appeal to all age groups.
“It might be Mom and Dad saying, ‘This was my favourite movie growing up,’” he says.
The city ran a poll two years ago to solicit movie suggestions, and this year’s roster marks the end of those suggestions – including a couple of screenings that were rained out last year (Guardians of the Galaxy and Big Hero 6).
Organizers make sure that the evening is a family-friendly as possible. The Hyacks football team hosts a concession, the washrooms at the stadium are open, and there are also kids’ games and activities before the show.
Families are welcome to arrive with their own food – Weber notes a lot of people show up with take-out picnics – plus, of course, blankets and chairs to enjoy the movie experience.
The city expects a crowd of 200 to 300 on an average night, although some past screenings – such as Grease, Footloose and Frozen – have gone significantly higher than that.
There’s no lack of space at the stadium, so people needn’t fear a screening being too full. The movie screen is set up near the scoreboard, and viewers spread themselves out on the grassy outfield (the infield is off-limits to protect the field) to enjoy the show.
Since it has to be dark enough for the movies to show up, screening times are dependent on daylight. Earlier in the summer, start times may be closer to 9 or 9:30 p.m., while August may see movies start at 8:30 or so – which is why the most family-friendly movies are generally screened later in the season, so younger kids can stay up late enough to enjoy them.
The stadium opens at 7 on all movie nights, so families can arrive ahead of time and settle in for the evening.
Movie screenings are weather-dependent, and the city makes the call at 3 p.m. whether to go ahead with the show – since even if the rain lets up, the ground could just be too wet for viewers. Audience members can call 604-527-4634 on the day of the show to see if it’s going ahead, or keep an eye on the city’s Twitter and Facebook feeds for up-to-date information.
