In response to the challenging times that we are experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to give props to some stellar local businesses who are stepping up to serve our great community.
The Muskoka Drive-In Theatre, located just on the outskirts of Gravenhurst, Ontario has been a draw for movie-lovers for decades. Having first opened in 1952, it is one of, if not the longest-continually-running drive-in movie theatre in all of Canada. Surrounded by indigenous birch and pine trees, the original screen was built on a concrete wall and nestled on beautiful Canadian Shield granite rock. Alongside a children’s playground, a snack bar, box office – and as of 2018, a second screen – The Muskoka Drive-In Theatre offers fun and nostalgia for the whole family.
When the global pandemic first hit, the Muskoka Drive-In was still closed for the Winter season. But as Spring rolled in and hopes to open the Drive-In as per their regular schedule took shape, that’s when they knew things would be different this year. Firstly, they needed to wait for permission to allow Drive-In Theatres to open. When that finally came, it also brought with it several new guidelines and rules that they would need to follow in order to ensure the safety of visitors.
Not afraid of the challenge, The Muskoka Drive-In Theatre stepped up in a big way to meet those guidelines and has been going above and beyond to ensure a safe and fun experience for visitors this year. The opening night for the Drive-In was back on June 4th and on June 25th they were able to re-open the Snack Bar. Things like the playground and mini-putt remain closed to the public for the time being, but, film-lovers and those who miss being able to go see a movie on the big screen have been treated to a sensational lineup of classic movies this Summer. The nostalgic films have included Jurassic Park, Shrek, Back to the Future, Jaws, Grease, Footloose, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and many more.
We want to acknowledge and applaud the Muskoka Drive-In Theatre for their hard work and commitment to serving community. As big movie-fans ourselves, we certainly appreciate that the local Drive-In is available to us and our families. Thank you for all you’re doing!!
If you know a local business who deserves a shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be featured. #StayComfy
The summer is usually about getting outside to hit the water or the trails, or to gather around a bonfire under the stars or long list of other great activities outdoors. But sometimes, when that rainy day rolls around, and you feel more inclined to bundle up and get cozy, well for those days, our favourite thing to do is to throw on our comfy Bear Wear threads and watch a couple great movies together with the family.
Assemble the snacks, round up the family and enjoy these Top 5 Summer Movies for the whole family!
Few movies are as synonymous with teenage life in the summer-time as the ‘Summer Lovin’‘ classic Grease. This 1978 musical was based off the 1971 Broadway Musical of the same name and tells the tale of Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny Zuko’s (John Travolta) summer fling over the summer of ’58. ‘You’re The One That I Want‘, ‘Greased Lightning‘ and ‘Summer Nights‘ remain iconic, instantly-recognizable songs 40+ years after the film first debuted. It’s hard not tap your feet and sing along through at least a half dozen songs on every watch-thru. Summer and Grease just Go Together, like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong.
“Hey You Guuuuuuuys!” No must-watch movie list would be complete without The Goonies. Several members of the young cast have gone on to have lengthy Hollywood careers such as Corey Feldman, Sean Austin, Josh Brolin and Martha Plimpton. The story follows a group of young, adventurous friends who are preparing to say goodbye to one another as a development company plans to demolish their homes and build a golf course unless funding is raised to stop the development. The kids stumble upon a treasure map and embark on an quest to find the treasure in hopes of saving the neighbourhood. They run into several unique challenges along the way that ultimately tests their resolve and their friendship. “Goonies never say die” is one of the famous quotes from the film and is a great message about perseverance. Goonies easily found its way on to our Top 5 Summer Movies for the Whole Family.
“Wait A Minute, Doc. Are You Telling Me You Built A Time Machine…Out Of A DeLorean?” These are the famous words from small-town California teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) before being thrust into a time-travel adventure that has become a cult classic and spawned two sequels. In this, the original, Marty is sent back to the 1950’s where he meets younger versions of his parents, for whom he must convince to fall in love or else he himself will cease to exist. Increasing the stakes for Marty is how he also must return to his own time to save Doc Brown. This 80’s sci-fi comedy is packed with plenty of nostalgia – though, that’s probably fitting for a movie about time travel!
The epitome of a coming-of-age story, The Sandlot is a summer classic about feeling like an outsider, but then finally finding your tribe. Scotty Smalls, a shy 5th-grader moves to a new neighbourhood and manages to make friends with a group of boys who play baseball together. They embark on several funny and heart-warming adventures together – including the retrieval of a very important Babe Ruth-signed baseball that they accidentally knocked over the fence. ‘Legends never die‘, as they say in the film, and this legendary film makes our Top 5 Summer Movies for the Whole Family.
Moving our way through the decades, we land on one of our favourites from the 2000’s… Walt Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. This summer classic revolves around two boisterous, mischievous characters; a young Hawaiian girl named Lilo (Daveigh Chase) and a blue alien that Lilo adopts, thinking him a dog, that she names Stitch (Chris Sanders). This fun, colourful adventure centres on Lilo’s love and belief in ‘ohana‘, the Hawaiian term for family. Stitch is hilarious and this movie has plenty of laughs along the way! Just as Lilo was committed to leave no one behind, we’re certainly not leaving this one off our Top 5 Summer Movies for the Whole Family.
There you have it, our Top 5 Summer Movies for the Whole Family. Cozy up in some comfy Muskoka Bear Wear with the family and try to knock out all five of these movies this summer!
How many of these films have you already seen? What are some of YOUR favourites? Be sure to tell us on one of our social media pages!
