The screen may look empty now, but come Friday, the screen with be alive with movies. Vehicles will fill the empty spaces, and snacks and people will fill the vehicles. It is spring time and with spring, comes drive-in movies, childhood memories and good times.
The drive-in, originally established in 1981 as Ken Par Cinema, is in its 30th year. Ray and Frances Boutin, and family, took over the drive-in in 1996 and are celebrating their 15th year of business. The couple were living in Winnipeg when the opportunity arose to purchase the business. "We were thinking of starting a family and we didn't want to raise our kids in a big city. We thought Carlyle would be a good place to do that. It was a good opportunity to get out of Winnipeg and come to a small community. The lady that owned and operated it was ready to retire. So when the opportunity came up, it was the right time, and we were ready to make that change."
The couple contributes their success to two simple factors. Frances believes a big factor has been "location, location, location. We have a great location with its proximity to White Bear and the Resort. The support of the local community has been really great and we couldn't have done it without them." Rays reiterates this fact. "Location and support of the local community. I think the fact that it has never ceased to operate helps as well. People are looking forward to coming to the drive-in as soon as spring hits."
The drive-in will kick off its 30th year with a Friday showing of Rango on May 20. At the double feature on Sunday, showing Rango and True Grit, the drive-in with hold its first ever cash bingo. Frances said "We are really looking forward to it because we have never done it. So it is something new, for our patrons and for us. So it will be interesting, and the money goes to a really good cause."
The beneficiary of the bingo will be the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. People will be able to pick up a bingo card at the CF Foundation tent, with numbers being announced over the PA system and bingo checkers in the field. With a $100 bingo and a $400 jackpot, the evening will not only be a family evening out for movie-goers, but an opportunity to support a worthy cause and have a little fun while doing it.
For those that have never been to a drive-in theatre before, the experience is definitely worthy of taking in. Starting at dusk, people line up along the road before entering the grounds and purchasing a ticket. Tickets are $5 for youth aged five to 11, and $9 for those 12 and up. Patrons find a great place to park and tune in to Prairie Dog Radio 98.5 FM. Popcorn, drinks, hot dogs, cheese dogs, nacho and chocolate bars are some of the many treats that are available for purchase at the concession stand. And once you have all of those under way, it's time to kick-back and enjoy the experience.
Come spring, a lot of work is required to prepare the drive-in for its opening. Everything from cleaning the grounds to stocking the shelves to making sure the movies come in on time are included in pre-season preparation.
The girls, Simone and Janelle, play an active role in the family business throughout the summer. Responsible for the concession bar, restocking the shelf, starting the projection and ensuring that the grounds are maintained before the season starts, the girls are influential in the running of the business. "Our girls are the greatest help ever. Probably because they have grown up there, but regardless, they are a really big help. It truly is a family run business."
As for the family's favourite time of season, the answer is unanimous for most of the family. "Starting up every season is the funnest." For Frances, "there isn't one thing that sticks out in particular, but we definitely look forward to this time and start-up. It's just a really fun time and business to be part of."
The girls really enjoy being involved in the business. "You never know what is going to happen on a given night, so it is fun! And all of my friends enjoy being there too, so I get to see them there too" said Simone of working at the drive-in. Janelle has fond memories of her class taking a field trip to the drive-in complete with a scavenger hunt and a movie.
People travel from a variety of areas to take in the drive-in. "Easily from within a 60-mile radius, and quite often folks from Regina and Estevan. We even have a visitor from England that comes every couple of years. She is a drive-in enthusiast and really has a passion for drive-ins."
As with most everything business-wise, the selection of movies are a family decision. "The demographic has changed a lot since we took it over. It used to be teenagers to young adult; but now, it is definitely a lot of families as well. The parents bring their kids out and they are in their vehicles in their pyjamas, and grandma and grandpa come along too" said Frances of the demographics.
Ray said "The product is different now too. The product is geared towards that [family]. Fifteen years ago, there was the odd Disney animated film. But now, there is Shrek, Rio, Rango, Cars, the list goes on and on. The adults enjoy the movies as much as the kids now. It is really a quality fun family time for all of those that attend.
With fifteen years under the Boutin's belts, the family looks ahead at what the future may bring. As with everything in the world, technology is changing. "One of the challenges we have coming forward is the migration of digital projection. They are going to eliminate conventional film at some point in time, probably in the not too distant future." So for that, the family would need to convert to a digital projector, which is a costly endeavour.
The family also has auditioned for a reality television show. "We had a call last fall from a reality TV Production Company that was looking for a family-owned and operated drive-in theatre, to explore the potential of making a TV show. So, we actually participated and engaged someone to do the film editing and respond to the audition requirements that were requested. So that has been sent to Hollywood and it is now being assessed." To see the video, you can google "YouTube prairiedogcarlyle."
To find out what is showing at the local drive-in, the show bills are located throughout Carlyle and surrounding areas. Or if you are more computer savvy, the family encourages you to take a look at their website (google: Prairie Dog Drive-In) or join their facebook group. Regardless of how you find out what is showing, the Boutin family and their mascot Festus, are looking forward to seeing you out this summer.
