Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water.
(That was a reference for everyone born in and before the Baby Boomer Generation. Anyone younger than age 50 can use Google).
We’re coming into the season of outdoor water sports – swim meets, triathlons, water polo and summer synchro – which means it’s time for some fun event tie-ins to raise the spectator – and the economic – numbers. And wow, has one town in Texas found a way to do it right.
The blog, Delish, has noted details of open-water viewings of the movie, Jaws, this summer, setting the standard for all other fun events, fundraisers and events that get everybody into the water.
The Volente Beach Resort and Beachside Billy’s, on the shores of Lake Travis, will spend the summer putting on 16 showings of the classic 1975 film about a great white shark that terrorizes a New England town (The now-regarded-as-cheesy 1970s special effects are as much a part of the movie’s ambience as the period clothing, attitudes and hairstyles). The big attraction: people can float on the water and watch.
The lakeside resort plans a total of 16 showings of the movie from June thru August in a three-month run of what are being called weekend “dive-in” movies.
Delish notes, “It's unclear what tickets will cost this year, but according to the "Jaws on the Water" website, they include access to the Volente Beach attractions, a "shark-ified" inner tube, a fireworks display, and "the thrilling, one-of-a-kind experience of watching cinema's greatest great whites with your feet dangling dangerously and deliciously in the water."
And this is an idea just about everyone can steal use to their best advantage, particularly with a few weeks to set up advance promotions.
While not everyone has access to a lake (although plenty do), this is a concept that can be expanded upon for just about any pool event. And while Jaws might be a little much for very small kids, there are plenty of options for younger groups, such as Splash, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. For crossover family/kid entertainment, there’s also the Pirates of the Caribbean movies (with appropriate cocktails for grown-ups).
But back to films made for adults. IMDB has a full list of movies that take place on and around water – and all of them lend themselves to further tie-ins including food and drink specials, costume contests, trivia competitions and other promotional ideas.
(Seriously, who already has ideas about showing Aquaman and challenging participants to come dressed as characters from the movie? Or – think big – Titanic).
The crew at Lake Travis has been providing Jaws-themed innertubes to all comers (an idea for destinations and events that has excellent potential for sponsorship from area merchants).
And judging by the reaction on the shores of Lake Travis, you might need to set up multiple showings. Or else you’re going to need a bigger pool. (Yes, young’uns, you’ll need to Google that too).
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