The Muskoka Drive-In Theatre is hosting its annual Christmas Blast on Nov. 8 and 9, offering the opportunity to support local food banks while enjoying a lineup of Christmas films.
One screen will feature Frosty the Snowman, the 2018 animated rendition of The Grinch and A Christmas Story. The other screen will show The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Elf and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Whichever lineup sells more advanced tickets will be on Screen 1. The gates will open at 6 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday with showtimes starting an hour later. The event will also feature candy canes, camp fires, visits from Santa and a range of Christmas cartoons in addition to the donation collection for Muskoka food banks.
“It’s just our way of helping, along with all the other businesses in Muskoka that also support the food banks,” said drive-in owner William Alexander. “What we’ve done this year is a little different.”
Locals can bring donations of cash or non-perishable food items for a chance to win season passes and other carload prizes. The number of raffle tickets donors receive is based on the size of the donation, and all proceeds will be split between local food banks.
Tickets for the event cost $20 per carload when purchased in advance or $25 at the gate. Tickets will only be available at the gate if they don’t sell out ahead of time, and they’re selling fast. Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed since concessions are one of the main sources of income for the drive-in, but the barbeque and snack bar will be open and offering specials to celebrate the last weekend.
The onsite ATM is currently out of service, so Alexander reminds moviegoers to bring cash for same-day admission or any snack bar purchases. The event will go forward whether it’s raining or snowing, and leashed pets are welcome to join. Entry won’t be allowed once the movies begin, so attendees should make sure to arrive by showtime.
After a longer than usual season, Alexander and his staff are ready for a break. Every year they look at the operations of the drive-in to see what can be improved, so the offseason is a time of reflection. The team is hopeful for the future despite a drop in numbers.
“Unfortunately, it was down from last year’s attendance, which you always have to look with a critical eye,” he said. “Some of our corporate rentals went away this year, which unfortunately hit our bottom line, but we will be back next year, hopeful, cheerful and ready to entertain everybody.”
On top of entertaining, the crew at the drive-in tries to make sure they’re contributing to the community by helping local groups and charities. Sometimes that means providing donations of carload passes while other times it’s lending the land and equipment to use for events.
Alexander is donating use of the drive-in and its snack bar to the public schools in Gravenhurst on Nov. 10 so that they raise money for school improvements. The drive-in staff also donated carload passes to a school in Orillia to help support their breakfast program, and they regularly host fundraisers as well as a community market each Sunday during the summer.
Alexander said even though they try to be as involved in the community as possible, it doesn’t change the fact that streaming has impacted many people’s movie-viewing habits. Many indoor and outdoor theatres across the country have closed their doors for good, so he encourages people to continue visiting places like the Muskoka Drive-In in Gravenhurst and the Norwood Theatre in Bracebridge.
For one thing, it’s more enjoyable to experience movies with a crowd, he said. But there’s also the added experience of seeing a movie outside. If the drive-in is screening a horror movie, attendees get to witness the film while surrounded by trees and darkness. During their Christmas showings, a dusting of snow can make movie moments feel that much more magical. A rainstorm during a film like Twister puts viewers right in the action.
“I just hope that people don’t just keep streaming movies or watching it on their phones, because that’s not the way to watch a movie,” he said. “Movies are meant to be seen on the big screen, and hopefully they’ll keep embracing it.”
In past years, Alexander spent the off-season working as a grip on independent movies and shows like Working Moms, Murdoch Mysteries and Good Witch. Grips assist with camera and lighting tasks on set, doing things like reflecting lights, pushing dollies and guiding steady cams. Though he has many fond memories of the job, he’s looking forward to a slower winter season.
“I retired last year from it, so this year I just get to do accounting and watch movies over the winter. Hunker down, get ready for spring,” Alexander said. “When the drive-in’s ground decides to stop swallowing cars, we’ll be open again.”
Visit the Muskoka Drive-In website to order tickets.