Outdoor movies big success in Timaru

‘‘ . . . the customers seemed pretty stoked with it.’’ Event manager Jamie Smith

Hundreds of people parked up at Sir Basil Arthur Park on Friday for a ‘‘nostalgic’’ night at the movies.

The park, which has capacity for 150 cars, was the venue for ASB Presents Night Flicks, showing family favourites Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and ET on a 36 squaremetre screen, while people watched from their vehicles.

‘‘We were pleasantly surprised that the venue was almost at capacity for the second screening [at 8.45pm] and it all went pretty smoothly, the customers seemed pretty stoked with it,’’ event manager Jamie Smith said.

He said it was the perfect event for people ready to get out again after lockdown.

‘‘I think people loved the fact that nostalgic films were screening and when you combine that with a drive-in theatre . . . and we had popcorn and coffee on site so people could make an experience of it.’’

He said it was also important that the first screening was at 5.30pm, a convenient time to bring children.

The tour is the brainchild of Rotorua-based friends Jaymz Mackenzie-Hooper and Matt O’Meeghan, after Covid-19 put each of their event businesses at risk.

Mackenzie-Hooper said it had all gone to plan and they would definitely be bringing the event to Timaru again.

‘‘We are planning to do another tour later in the year.

‘‘Next time we’ll try for more lead time to get a few more people there, but everyone had a great time.’’