Canyon Lake, Texas: Local Couple Shows Movies Under the Stars in Canyon Lake, Texas
When Canyon Lake Riverside Resort owner Mark Smith was trying to woo his wife Kathy, trips to the drive-in movie theater were a must. They loved seeing movies under the stars back then, so much so that they've decided to breathe new life into the old pastime. The Smiths started hosting outdoor movies on Saturday nights at their 22-acre retreat back in March. An old-fashioned hayride takes patrons up a Tiki torch-lit road to a clearing above the resort's campgrounds where a 12-foot projector and concession stand await.
Movie watchers can bring their own coolers, rent chairs for $1 each, and tickets are either $2.50 or $5 unless you're willing to go the extra mile.
At last month's outdoor cinema showing of Animal House, everyone who wore a toga got in free, and at this Saturday's showing of Quantum of Solace, the latest Bond film, admission will be waived with a 10-pound bag of clay kitty litter.
This summer we're working with Canyon Lake Animal Shelter, Kathy said. In the fall we'll change to another non profit. People can come and have a good time, but they're also helping the community.
So far the Smiths have only shown second-run films, but Mark is hoping to strike a deal with a production company by next year to have first-run features.
Attendance has been a little spotty only a handful turned out for a Memorial Day weekend showing but the Smiths have had close to 50 people crowded around the screen.
It's still in its infancy, Mark said. We're hoping that it will pick up. It's something that's different. There are not any drive-in theaters and no movie facilities that are close other than in New Braunfels.
The open air cinema is set up on what the Smiths call the quarry, an amphitheater-shaped clearing that's perfect for Mark's sound system. The area doubles as a graveyard during Riverside Resort's locally famous Haunted Forest outdoor spook show each Halloween, but the Smiths were finding it hard to use the space for much else.
Now the couple hopes adults and kids will remember the quarry as a special place to catch a flick old-school style, just like they did years ago.
When we were first going out, we'd go to drive-in movies all the time, Kathy said. Kids nowadays don't know what that this. I wanted to get more families in the community here. It'll be a nice, cheap way for families to go out and have a good time.
For more information on show times and how to get in free, visit www.riversideresort.net.
Source: "Canyon Lake couple brings drive-in movies back to life" by Christine Stanley -Bulverde News. Read full article at: http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/47773652.html.