Mark Your Calendar: 'Big Screens And Book Night,' Touch-A-Truck Event Come To McHenry Outdoor Theater

MCHENRY, IL — It’s Scott Dehn’s 25th anniversary in the movie business, and the McHenry Outdoor Theater is celebrating with family-friendly nods to the thrill of good books, the heroism of first responders and the "ever-important contributions" of public works crews, according to theater officials.

Big Screen and Books night will take place Friday, Sept. 19. That evening, representatives from 11 area library districts will sign up interested residents for library cards, according to a news release from the McHenry Outdoor Theater, which is owned by Dehn.

They’ll also host games, provide giveaways and more — all in the grassy area below the big screen before the evening’s double feature starts.

On the evening of Saturday, Sept. 20, the theater will host a Touch-a-Truck event featuring personnel, vehicles and equipment from the McHenry Township Fire Protection District, the McHenry Police and the Richmond Township Road District.

Dehn took over the McHenry Outdoor at 1510 Chapel Hill Road in 2002, after he’d already been in the theater business a couple of years with ownership or ownership interests in indoor theaters in McHenry and Libertyville.

“This community has always rallied for us,” said Dehn, noting in particular efforts in 2013 that resulted in the Outdoor Theater clinching Honda’s Project Drive-In contest, which secured a new digital projector — a make-or-break feat. “Year after year, we have been floored by the support of our fans. I wanted to make this weekend an extra-special one as a thank you to all who’ve helped us to keep going and to thrive.”

Library representatives planning to attend Sept. 19 will be from River East Public Library in Lakemoor and Nippersink Public Library of Richmond, as well as Crystal Lake, Johnsburg, Harvard, McHenry, Algonquin, Wauconda, Fox Lake, Woodstock and Marengo-Union public libraries, according to the news release.

Cherie Wright, director of River East, said she approached theater President of Marketing and Promotions Joe Cicero after first hearing of the Big Screen and Books idea from McHenry Public Library programming employee Marla Spaargaren.

“When we first brought the idea to Joe, he was all over it,” Wright said. “It’s so great. I love that the Outdoor is so community-minded.”September, she added, is National Library Card Sign-up Month.

Each library on-site will offer sign-ups as long as patrons have ID proving district residency. Wright encouraged those at the theater to check out all of the libraries’ tables that Friday.

"'You’ll want to visit each one,” she said. “Some will have take-and-make craft kits and other kinds of giveaways.”

Anyone bringing their library card to the theater Sept. 19, or anyone who signs up for a card on the 19th, will be eligible for $2 off of a concession stand popcorn, Cicero said.

The McHenry Outdoor Theater is currently open weekends only, with movie showings planned through Christmas. View the updated movie schedule and learn about family-friendly budget night options at goldenagecinemas.com.

“Shrek” followed by “Madagascar" will be showing at the McHenry Outdoor Theater on Sept. 19 and 20. Admission is $15 per carload for the rest of the season