It’s all outdoor seating for Celestial Cinema film showings.
By Laurelle Walsh
Celestial Cinema invites movie lovers to watch three feature-length films on the lawn at Spring Creek Ranch in Winthrop on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Aug. 13 – 15).
In its fourth year, Celestial Cinema has become “a great end-of-summer ritual for community members to enjoy the fleeting last soft, warm nights of summer,” said event host Sarah Berns.
Each evening starts at 6:30 p.m. with food vendors, candy, popcorn and a beer garden. A pre-film craft project begins at 7:30 p.m.; and the movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Adult admission is $10, kids under 10 get in for $5. No dogs are allowed on the grounds.
Proceeds from each evening support a Methow Valley nonprofit: Thursday benefits Little Star School; Friday benefits Aero Methow Rescue Service; and Saturday benefits Methow Arts Alliance.
Thursday’s feature is Studio Ghibli’s animated film, The Secret World of Arrietty. The screenplay, based on Mary Norton’s book for children, The Borrowers, is about a family of tiny people who survive unseen while “borrowing” from the humans whose house they inhabit. Danger arises when their daughter, Arrietty, is seen by a human boy, but Arrietty finds the courage to save her family. Before Thursday’s movie, kids will construct Arrietty-size wooden boats.
James Cameron’s other-worldly fantasy, Avatar, is Friday’s feature. Kids will have fun with glow-in-the-dark crafts, hair feathers, and maybe even face painting before the film begins, said Berns. While the PG-13-rated Avatar is geared toward a slightly older audience, “viewing this out-of-this-world film on the big screen during the height of the Perseid meteor showers should be a summer highlight for all,” Berns said.
On Saturday the series closes with Wes Anderson’s stop-animation film, Fantastic Mr. Fox, based on the book by Roald Dahl. “Viewers small and tall will enjoy beautiful animation and a non-stop story line,” said Berns. Adults and kids can craft a set of fox-eared headbands before the show.
Custom-designed Celestial Cinema coloring pages, designed by MaryKay Johnson, will be available to color, and Celestial Cinema T-shirts, drink tumblers and Emily Post’s handmade mugs will be for sale. Prizes from Winthrop Glassworks and Glover Street Market will go to lucky movie goers, Berns said.
Several dinner options will be offered by Arrowleaf Bistro and BS Barbecue; Rocking Horse Bakery offers sweet treats; and Lariat Coffee Roasters coffee will be on hand. Lost River Winery, Old Schoolhouse Brewery and Twisp River Pub donated the adult beverages, enabling all proceeds from the beer garden to go to the organization-of-the-night, according to Berns.
Other business supporters include JA Wright Construction and WasteWise Methow.
Spring Creek Ranch is located at 22 Belsby Road, near the Winthrop Town Trailhead. For more information, go to springcreekwinthrop.com/celestial-cinema.
