McHenry Outdoor Theater To Stay Open Through Mid-December

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Putting together the fall throwback lineup for the McHenry Outdoor Theater has long been among owner Scott Dehn’s favorite tasks. This year, that joy is amplified as he’s added six additional weeks to the outdoor theater's calendar.

Previously, the theater closed for the season on or about Halloween. But this year, the theater will be open Friday and Saturday nights through the weekend of Dec. 15 to 16.

And Dehn, well aware of his fans’ enthusiasm for fall throwbacks, can’t wait to see how they respond to having holiday-season throwbacks to look forward to as well, according to a news release.

But will folks come to the outdoor theater when brisk turns to brrr? Dehn is banking on it.

“I think just the curiosity factor will bring people out,” he said. “I’ve never seen a movie in the snow. So that should be cool. Going to the Outdoor, visiting with Santa before catching a movie, it’ll be a nice addition to driving around looking at Christmas lights.”

It’s all possible because of improvements made this summer to both the concession building and the projector booth, which now are both heated.

“I came up with the extended-season idea last winter, but didn’t know if we’d be able to work it into our budget for this year,” Dehn said, noting that adding heat in concessions as well as heat plus dehumidifying equipment in the booth cost about $20,000.

The upgrades to the projection booth mean that Dehn won’t have to winterize the projector as temperatures drop below freezing. Much like a boat left out in the cold, the projector would suffer serious damage if fluids were not drained and antifreeze added, he said.

“There are red, blue and yellow liquid crystal vials that add all of the colors you see on the screen,” he said. “To be able to stay open late and open earlier in the spring, we had to add climate control.”

Long before snow flies, the fall throwback season already is under way, having started with “The Breakfast Club” and “Sixteen Candles” Aug. 18 to 19. The lineup for September and October includes themed weekends like “Adam Sandler Classics Weekend,” including “Billy Madison” and “Happy Gilmore” Sept. 15 to 16 and “Pennywise Weekend,” featuring “IT” and “IT: Chapter 2” Oct. 6 to 7. Normally open only Fridays and Saturdays after mid-August, the theater will be open Sunday, Oct. 29, for a special trunk-or-treat in the afternoon followed by that weekend’s double feature of “Casper” and “The Exorcist: Believer,” a modern-day sequel to the 1973 horror film, according to the news release.

The November and December lineup is yet to be announced. But some John Candy and Steve Martin sightings are a safe bet, with perhaps a little Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and James Stewart action as well.

Add in some hot chocolate, hot cider and newly added branded blankets, on top of the hoodies already available for purchase, and movie-goers should find plenty of ways to stay warm while taking in fall and winter movies under the stars.

“In December, guests will be able to get pictures with Santa,” Dehn said. “There will be some other surprises, too. I’m really excited. It will be interesting.”

Admission at the McHenry Outdoor 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 years old and younger are free.

More information is available on the outdoor theater's website.

Photos courtesy of the McHenry Outdoor Theater

Suggested captions

bundledup: Scenes like this may be more frequent as the McHenry Outdoor Theater has, for the first time ever, extended its movie season into mid-December this year.

truckbed: Movie-goers may swap sandals for snow boots as the McHenry Outdoor Theater has, for the first time ever, extended its movie season into mid-December. Improvements to the concession and projector booth buildings made the extended season possible, owner Scott Dehn said.