Sure, when you’re looking for some entertainment away from the baking sun this summer, you can plop down in an air-conditioned movie theater.
But why not instead pull your car or lawn chair up to the huge screen and catch a flick under the stars?
For those feeling a little nostalgic, there are three outdoor movie settings within an hour’s drive of Grand Junction. They tap into the rural roots of the Western Slope and, in one instance, help a worthy cause.
The Star Drive-In in Montrose and the Tru Vu Drive-In in Delta are currently showing films on the weekends but will soon expand to every night.
The Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department, meanwhile, kicks off the 28th year of Movies Under the Stars next month.
Every Friday night, except the Fourth of July, vehicles line both sides of the road in this ranching community 20 miles southwest of Grand Junction and families flock to watch movies projected on a screen at the back of the fire station. Get there early, as even the slowest nights can draw about 300 people.
There is pre-movie entertainment — including hay rides and volleyball — and plenty of inexpensive food. Cooks grill up burgers and hot dogs on the back of an old fire truck. Standard movie fare — candy, soda, popcorn — is less than $1 each.
New this year are free carriage rides offered by the Black Ridge Carriage Co.
“You feel safe and secure letting your children run around and play,” said Roger Wolff, announcer for the event.
Proceeds from the donations and sales of door prize tickets and concessions go to the fire department, which is 100 percent volunteer and receives no tax money.
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E-mail Mike Wiggins at mwiggins@gjds.com.
GLADE PARK MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
Where: Behind the Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department, east of 16.5 Road on DS Road.
To Get There: From Grand Junction, drive through Colorado National Monument from its east entrance and turn left at the Glade Park turnoff (just beyond Cold Shivers Point). Follow the road all the way to the fire department, which is just up the road form the Glade Park Store.
When: Every Friday night (except July 4) from June to August. Grill opens at 6 p.m., movies begin at dusk.
Cost: Free. Donations are accepted. Door prize tickets can be purchased for $1 each.
Info: Call 216-9116 or visit www.glade-park.com.
Tip: Take camp chairs, blankets, warm jackets and hats. Glade Park gets chilly after dark.
GLADE PARK MOVIES UNDER THE STARS LINEUP
June 6 — “Open Season”
June 13 — “Evan Almighty”
June 20 — “Meet the Robinsons”
June 27- “Shrek the Third”
July 4 — No movie
July 11 — “Night at the Museum”
July 18 — “Ratatouille”
July 25 — “Charlotte’s Web”
Aug. 1 — “Monster House”
Aug. 8 — “The Empire Strikes Back”
Aug. 15 — “We Are Marshall”
Aug. 22 — “ET”
Aug. 29 — “Chronicles of Narnia”
