The Drive In at Manitou Beach offers novel summer experiences

…it was cool to see these little kids come in - some of them were in turtle outfits,” said Hayhurst. “You can’t get that on Netflix.

When a self-professed movie geek becomes the manager of the local drive-in theatre, the result is a summer with an interesting - and perhaps even quirky - array of movies lighting up the prairie evening skies.

“They gave me free rein, so I can run whatever I want,” said Earl Hayhurst, manager of The Drive In at Manitou Beach. “And I’m a hopeless movie geek so I run some unusual stuff.”

Formerly known as the Jubilee Drive-in, the outdoor theatre is in its 66th year. Now owned by the Village of Manitou Beach, it is located next door to the Manitou and District Regional Park Campground.

This year, Hayhurst plans to offer a mix of new releases and an eclectic selection of older movies. So far this summer, that has included the new Jason Statham movie, Wrath of Man, and some old favourites such as Mamma Mia, the original Fast and Furious, American Pie, Happy Gilmore, John Wayne’s 1963 classic Mclintock!, and the 1957 movie Plan 9 from Outer Space, a film that he calls a “horrible, horrible” movie.

“It’s one of the worst movies ever made, but it just looks fantastic on that big screen,” he explained.

His choices have often proven to be very popular among drive-in enthusiasts. “Last year we had great crowds for Twister, Grease, Dirty Dancing and Back to the Future. Anything with Adam Sandler is always popular,” he said. “And lots of kids’ movies. Everyone wants to have kids’ movies all the time, but I like to have a little variety.”

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles night saw the drive-in paired up with a local restaurant to offer pizza with the movie. “I had the people that were, say, 40 years old, bringing their six-, seven-, eightyear-old kids. The parents were fans of the movie and it was cool to see these little kids come in - some of them were in turtle outfits,” said Hayhurst. “You can’t get that on Netflix.”

Some of this year’s weekend showings will be theme-based, such as last summer’s very popular horror weekend. A ladies’ movie weekend, which featured The Notebook, Dirty Dancing, Grease, Footloose, Mean Girls and Pretty in Pink, was also well-received.

During the past year, drive-ins have seen an increase in popularity as they serve as a COVID-SAFE outing for families whereby they can remain socially distanced from other groups and individuals. The Drive In at Manitou Beach has played an added role in reducing the impact of lockdowns on the community with recordings of local dance recitals and graduations.

“They basically do their ceremony socially distanced. Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa can go and watch in the car,” said Hayhurst.

The drive-in has also served to recreate the live concert experience that many people are craving with showing of a live Bon Jovi concert. “It’s basically just like going to a concert at the drive-in,” said Hayhurst. “It was very good.”

The theatre is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and some Thursdays from now until Labour Day. Bookings for the rest of this season are now being confirmed, so it’s too soon to say what’s in store for the summer. Whatever Hayhurst has planned, you can be sure it will be at least a few steps from the ordinary.