Contests, deals boost McHenry Outdoor fun

LAKEMOOR — Weekly contests. Mind-blowing entertainment even before the first film’s opening credits flicker across the screen. Weekly deals and free-popcorn opportunities for those in the know. Amazing new amenities.

Add to that a great lineup of first-run films and the chance to see them on the most iconic, giant screen around, and it’s shaping up to be one terrific summer at the McHenry Outdoor Theater. The seven-days-a-week part of the season starts Memorial Day weekend, and owner Scott Dehn cannot wait.

“Thanks to a great new partnership, audiences this summer are enjoying a vastly improved concession area — the newly named Bremer Team Tap House and Snack Bar,” Dehn said, adding that beer and wine are now available, as well as hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, beer brats, candies, popcorn and more. “It’s so nice in there now. I can’t wait for audiences to see it.”

The Bremer Team Keller Williams Success Realty and the Outdoor also are teaming up to offer Facebook fans weekly opportunities to win a carload pass with VIP parking.

“There will be up to four carload winners each week,” Dehn said. “Just keep an eye on both businesses’ Facebook pages to get in on the contests.”

Not only that, but those visiting the Outdoor on a Monday night can score free popcorn simply by mentioning the Bremer Team as they purchase their admission tickets at the theater’s box office. It’s located along Chapel Hill Road just south of the intersection with Lincoln Road, east of McHenry.

“It’s going to be such a fun summer,” Dehn said. “Even before the movies start, mind reader and mentalist Joe Diamond blows everyone’s minds with his hypnosis and amazing tricks beaming out from the big screen. Sometimes he is here live and sometimes it’s pre-recorded, but it is always very entertaining.”

Kicking off the open-daily part of its season, the McHenry Outdoor will show Disney’s new “The Little Mermaid,” starring Halle Bailey, on Memorial Day weekend, debuting it the same day as its national release, Friday, May 26. It will also be the final weekend for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” Dehn said.

Other highly anticipated films on the Outdoor’s agenda for this summer include new installments in several franchises, including: “Spider-Man,” “Transformers,” “Indiana Jones,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “The Fast and the Furious” “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Expendables.”

Those ages 21 and older may buy beer or wine at two on-site locations, including the Bremer Team Tap House and Snack Bar as well as the Behind-the-Scenes Tap House, the latter of which is directly below the screen, in the tower itself. Theater merch, such as hats, T-shirts, discs and more, can be purchased at both locations.

Admission is $14 per adult, or $8 for children ages 3 to 11 as well as for military personnel and seniors ages 60 and up. Children 2 and younger are admitted free. Premier parking (front two rows) is $14 per vehicle. Beginning Tuesday, May 31, and continuing Tuesdays throughout the season, a $14-per-carload special is available.

Visit goldenagecinemas.com and the Outdoor’s Facebook page for the latest movie schedule and other updates.