A local alliance
Crossing Vineyards and Winery and Newtown Theatre to host first Sunday Afternoon at the Movies this weekend
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
It may seem like summer is passing by in the blink of an eye, but there’s still time to kick back and relax before school and holidays are upon us once more.
On Sunday, Aug. 13, Crossing Vineyards and Winery is teaming with the Newtown Theatre for a special Sunday Afternoon at the Movies featuring snacks, sangria and most importantly, air conditioning.
In the first event of its kind, the Newtown Theatre will feature the film Bottle Shock starting at 2 p.m. During the movie, attendees can sip on a glass of Crossing’s own sangria while munching on popcorn. Additional wine will also be available for purchase.
For Christine Carroll of Crossing Vineyards, there is something special about local businesses working together. Over the years, the Newtown Theatre Company has been a supportive partner of Crossing, and vice versa. For example, at the winery’s annual Christmas dinner, the cast from the company’s production of A Christmas Carol made a special appearance and performed for the guests.
It was only natural for the two businesses to align since both are local staples with a rich history. The oldest movie theater in the country, the Newtown Theatre showed its first film in 1906. Though Crossing’s history doesn’t date back quite as far, it’s been proudly established for 17 years.
“Our brands were made for each other,” Carroll said.
Recently, Crossing became a Gold Partner of the Newtown Theatre Company, which grants it certain benefits. The winery receives a brick outside of the theater with its name on it, 20 free tickets a year for either employees or customers and an afternoon or evening where the theater is completely available for its use.
After some conversations with the Newtown Theatre, Crossing decided to try the new event Sunday Afternoon at the Movies. Depending on the success, there’s a good chance it will turn into an annual tradition. According to Carroll, schools are starting earlier this year so people are trickling back from vacation sooner than usual.
“This can be their last blast of summer,” she said.
This event is open to the public, though Crossing’s wine club members will receive two complimentary tickets to the event. Not all their members are from the area, so it will give people from other towns the chance to experience a new part of Bucks County.
“We’re getting the word out beyond the local population,” Carroll said.
The featured film Bottle Shock chronicles the true story of a winery in California in the 1970s. Highlighting the growth of wine in the United States, it shows how it can stand up to the best from Europe.
“Wine doesn’t need to come from any of these magical places,” she said.
Throughout her years in the wine industry, Carroll has seen a reluctance in people to accept wine made in their own backyards. Thankfully, that has changed over the years, and local wine is becoming more favored, with Crossing winning hundreds of awards since its opening.
Overall, Carroll expects Sunday Afternoon at the Movies to be a good, community event for Bucks County locals and beyond.
“It’s two local businesses supporting each other and working together,” she said. ••
Cost is $10 per person in advance or $15 at the door. Online tickets can be purchased at crossingvineyards.com/public-events. The Newtown Theatre is located at 120 N. State St. in Newtown.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
