Summer Bash organizers adapting to COVID-19 with drive-in movies
Summer Bash organizers are transporting a rural tradition to the Queen City this summer with a series of drive-in movie nights aimed at bringing people together while staying physically apart.
“As a non-profit, we were trying to brainstorm how we can boost morale back in the community and bring those spirits back up,” said Summer Bash co-founder and chair Adam Hicks. “This was an easy, quick win for us.”
Summer Bash is an annual community festival in Harbour Landing’s Fairchild Park and usually involves 400 organizations, food trucks, a free community barbecue, sports activities, an Indigenous pavilion, ice-cream-eating contests and more.
Along with the annual festival, the group organizes other activities throughout the summer like its Mini Bash Movie Nights in the park, which usually draw large crowds with blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a movie together under the stars.
But with COVID -19 restrictions in play this summer, the organizing committee had to get creative. The drive-in movies are just one way they are trying to fulfil their commitment to building community while following Saskatchewan’s public health orders.
“What our plans were in January have changed drastically given the circumstances, but I think as a community organization it’s really important for us to be able to make the best of the situation and try to find ways that we can still deliver on our commitment to the bringing folks together,” said organizer Jonah Toth.
The location, movie titles, cost of tickets and dates are yet to be confirmed, but Hicks says they are close to nailing down a “massive” parking lot in the city to host the events that will be easily accessible off the Ring Road. While movie nights in the past have been free, the non-profit decided to purchase a 40-foot inflatable movie screen instead of renting one this year and so they will be charging a minimal fee to help pay for it. They will also have an FM transmitter to get sound into people’s vehicles.
People who can’t afford a ticket can apply for free tickets and the first row of seating will be given away. A limited number of tickets will be available for pre-purchase, which will help organizers control the number of vehicles at the site.
“When we’re bringing the community together for an event like this, it’s for the benefit of the community and we don’t want to put anyone at risk,” Toth said.
Organizers have been working with the provincial government over the past three weeks to ensure the event is allowed and follows all physical-distancing and public-gathering guidelines. No cash transactions will be allowed, vehicles will have to park a certain distance apart and all volunteers will be required to wear personal protective equipment.
But drive-in movies aren’t the only events in the works. Hicks revealed plans for at least three week-long virtual summer camps that he hopes can be offered at low cost with the help of local sponsors. Those who sign up will be delivered a package with everything they’ll need to participate for the week, such as supplies to build their own drum, after which they will take part in a music lesson with a local musician as well as sessions with an elder to learn about the significance of drums in Indigenous culture. They are also still planning a COVID -19-friendly version of their annual summer market to help local makers sell their wares.
“We feel like we can connect citizens in a very safe way,” Hicks said. “It won’t be as large events in the past. They’ll be a little more controlled and have a lot more safety precautions.”
To stay up to date with Summer Bash plans, follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram (Summer Bash YQR), Twitter (@Summerbashyqr) or visit www.summerbash.ca