This historic location must upgrade its 35mm projection equipment to digital in order to stay alive. Renovation is also needed.
For nearly eighty summers, people from all over have been coming to The McHenry Outdoor Theater for an experience unlike any other. Children get dressed in their pajamas, cars are packed with frisbees, blankets, pillows and baseballs. As the cars begin to park for a night under the stars, friends are made. Families begin creating memories for themselves that will be remembered for the rest of their lives. Then, as the anticipation grows with the sun setting on the horizon, a flicker of light stretches accross the giant movie screen. Children look over toward their parents and grandparents and smile. A night at the movies has suddenly become something magical. The McHenry Outdoor Theater provides those special, unique moments in one's lifetime that should always exist.
Movie studios are going to stop producing 35mm film. The only movie projector in operation at The McHenry Outdoor Theater is a 35mm unit. All movies currently being made are going to be digitally formatted. In order for this historic and much beloved theater to stay alive, it is imperative that a digital movie projector be purchased and installed. The cost of a digital projector is approximately $77,000.00. The renovation needed in the projection booth to accomodate this new projector will cost an additional $60,000.00. As a seasonal entity, The McHenry Outdoor Theater simply cannot afford to pay for this conversion without the help from the public.
What does reaching our goal mean to you, our valued customer? You can expect to see a much brighter, crisper image the likes of which have never been seen at our location. The sound will also be of a higher quality. We will have a larger selection of films to choose from for our popular Fall Throwback Series in which we play your favorite classic movies during August, September and October. Should we be fortunate enough to surpass our goal, we will begin updating and upgrading our facilities. This theater has existed since the 1940s and a lot of work could be done. We would like to re-paint the screen, the concession building, the projection booth and the box office. General electrical and plumbing work is needed. We would also like to one day update the bathrooms and begin repairing/replacing the antique speakers that still exist on our speaker poles. We have a marquee on route 120 that was severely damaged from the big storm we had a couple of summers ago. It would be nice to restore it to the original sign that existed there when the theater was new. It is also time to repair and paint the marquee on the front of our tower. All of this is possible with your help and contributions. Together, we can make this place look and function better than it ever has before.
This is a critical time for fans of The McHenry Outdoor Theater. Sometimes, when you love something, you have to make a stand to keep it. That is where we are at today. If this theater is to survive for all of us to enjoy for years to come, we need to come together and fight for it. Please help to keep this historic landmark of entertainment, memories and smiles alive for more generations to enjoy.
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Meeting or exceeding our goal is only part of the battle. Once we have succeeded in our efforts, the real work begins. The daunting challenge of retrofitting our old projection room must begin immediately if we are to open the 2013 season on time. Digital projectors demand much more electricity than our current 35mm model. We must re-wire the projection room to the proper specifications that the new projector demands. Digital projectors also produce a great deal of heat when they are in use. New ventilation systems and exhaust ports must be installed as well as air conditioning. Our sound board must be updated to recognize a digital signal as opposed to an analog one.
Should be be fortunate enough to exceed our goal, we will need to get right to work at making the needed repairs to our facilities. I have many qualified contacts ready to begin once I receive the funding. Our own staff and even some of our loyal customers have volunteered to help with the painting and other maintenance issues. Most of this can all be done before we open our gates in 2013.
My name is Scott Dehn and I am the President of Golden Age Cinemas which operates The McHenry Outdoor Theater. I have been managing this location since June of 2006. I began operating the theater solely in 2012. This is a place that that I am in love with. I cannot imagine a summer without it. Some of my most favorite memories are of coming to this theater with my parents when I was a child. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I am completely dedicated to ensuring that countless other children can have those same experiences here as well. I am qualified and confident in this massive project of saving The McHenry Outdoor Theater. I am also a believer in our friends, fans and families. There is no doubt in my mind that this can all be done. I just cannot do it alone. If you help to give me the opportunity, I can provide you with a theater you can continue to enjoy and be proud of.
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335
Backers
$31,736
pledged of $130,000 goal
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Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on November 28, 2012.
Funding period
Sep 29, 2012 -
Nov 28, 2012
(60 days)
- First created · 0 backed
- Scott Dehn 208 friends
- Website: goldenagecinemas.com
Pledge $1 or more
16 backers
Every dollar counts! We are thankful for every donation pledged!
Estimated delivery: Oct 2013Pledge $10 or more
51 backers
The Mach 5 Reward: 1 free admission pass. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $25 or more
99 backers
The Herbie Reward: 2 free admission passes and 1 drink and popcorn combo. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $50 or more
76 backers
The Lightning McQueen Reward: 4 free admission passes and 2 drink and popcorn combos. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledged donation value.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $100 or more
44 backers
The Fast and The Furious Reward: 4 free admission passes and 2 drink and popcorn combos. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledged donation value. PLUS, receive an "I Saved The McHenry Outdoor Theater" t-shirt!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $150 or more
7 backers
The Bumblebee Reward: 4 free admission passes and 2 drink and popcorn combos. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledgeded donation value. PLUS, receive an "I Saved The McHenry Outdoor Theater" t-shirt! You will also receive one voucher redeemable for 1 hot dog, 1 Guinness Beer Brat or 1 cheeseburger from our concession stand during a visit with us.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $250 or more
7 backers
The ECTO-1 Reward: 1 one-year free admission pass and 1 drink and popcorn combo with each visit. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledged donation value. PLUS, receive an "I Saved The McHenry Outdoor Theater" t-shirt!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (35 of 35 left)
The Gran Torino Business/Group Reward: This reward is great for groups or companies looking to contribute! You will receive 20 free admission passes and one drink and popcorn for each pass. You will also be able to use our PA system prior to the show to advertise your company/group with your own message.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $500 or more
5 backers
The Bullitt Reward: 4 one-year free admission passes and 1 drink and popcorn combo with each visit. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledged donation value. PLUS, receive an "I Helped Save The McHenry Outdoor Theater" t-shirt!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers Limited (13 of 15 left)
The Aston Martin Business/Group Reward: This is another great reward for groups or companies looking to contribute! You will receive 20 free admission passes and one drink and popcorn for each pass. You will also be able to use our PA system prior to the show to advertise your company/group with your own message. ALSO... You will receive one FREE illuminated advertising panel on our fence at a location of your choice.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers
The French Connection Reward: 1 LIFETIME admission pass, 4 one-year free admission passes and 1 drink and popcorn combo with each visit. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledged donation value. PLUS, receive an "I Saved The McHenry Outdoor Theater" t-shirt!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers
The De Lorean Reward: 2 LIFETIME admission passes and 1 drink and popcorn combo with each visit. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledged donation value. PLUS, receive an "I Saved The McHenry Outdoor Theater" t-shirt!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $3,000 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
The Easy Rider Reward: You pick the 1 movie you want shown (subject to availability) for a private screening with 200 of your closest friends and family in October 2013. Everyone will receive FREE drinks and popcorn with unlimited refills for the evening. Dates in October will be secured via a first-come, first-served basis and the event will be held rain or shine. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledged donation value. PLUS, receive an "I Saved The McHenry Outdoor Theater" t-shirt!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
The American Graffiti Reward: You or your group's autographed 8"x10" framed photo will be forever immortalized in our concession stand. You may also pick the double-feature (subject to availability) you want shown for a private screening with 200 of your closest friends and family in October 2013. Everyone will receive FREE drinks and popcorn with unlimited refills for the evening. Dates in October will be secured via a first-come, first-served basis and the event will be held rain or shine. Donor's name will be listed on our special "Donors Page" on the Golden Age Cinemas website. Your name will also be forever engraved on our Donor Plaque in our concession stand with your pledged donation value. PLUS, receive an "I Saved The McHenry Outdoor Theater" t-shirt!
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
