The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
At former UConn campus, it’s on with the shows
TORRINGTON — So many events have been canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — fairs, parades, summer camps and other activities — and children and families are missing out on spending time together as a community.
The Torrington Library’s Teen Advisory Council and Torrington Downtown Partners realized this, and decided to hold a drive-in movie night series, which begins Saturday with a big-screen showing of “Jurassic Park.” The series will be held at Five Points Center for the Arts’ new home, the former University of Connecticut campus on University Drive, which was made available to the council by gallery members, according to City Council member Sharon Waagner.
“The teens have chosen family classics for each Saturday evening this summer,” Waagner said in an email. “They are also helping to organize them, and are volunteering to help with parking.”
Advance tickets are required and can be purchased online at www.torringtondrivein.com or from the Torrington Library. Admission is $20 per carload.
The council also is providing a food truck, in place of a concession stand. Rob’s Drive-In Diner is scheduled for Saturday’s movie night. Rob’s sells pizza, pretzels, popcorn, chips and other snacks and cold beverages.
Waagner was proud of the council and its efforts.
“This is such an amazing idea, especially in light of COVID-19 changing the way we socialize,” she said. “The Teen Advisory Board is an amazing group of willing and eager young people who are always striving to make a positive difference in their community. The selection of films was also part of their planning with family viewing in mind.”
Ashley Petzel, a Torrington High School student, is a member of the teen board and said the event is one of
the many activities the board does each year.
“We plan events for kids and teens at the library,” she said. “This year we raised money and were supposed to go on a trip to the Bronx Zoo, but unfortunately it was canceled . ... We’re hoping we can go in the fall.”
She said 13 members took on various aspects of planning the movie nights. “Three of us chose the movie titles, and they just chose good, classic movies,” she said. “Others are helping with setup and parking, and some of us are doing the Instagram and Facebook pages and the website.”
Planning the movie nights also include following pandemic rules, which must include social distancing. The council, with help from the Downtown Partners, are asking movie guests to stay in their cars unless they’re heading to a restroom or the food trucks. Families can sit in a pickup truck bed or open hatchbacks, and can bring chairs and place them directly in front of their car. Each parking space will have an empty space next to it to keep groups safe and separated.
Guests also are asked to take their trash with them when they leave, and no pets, alcohol or smoking will be permitted; anyone who doesn’t follow the rules will be asked to leave the campus without a refund.
Gates open at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and the movie begins at 8:30 p.m.
Volunteers include members of the Torrington Downtown Partners’ family of businesses, including Lenny
Purdie, owner of Lenny Purdie Photography at 45 Water St.
“It was his guidance and advice that helped make this possible,” Waagner said. “He is also going to be the projectionist, working from behind the (40-foot) screen.”
Jillian Veras, who leads the library’s Children and Teen Services, is also the Teen Advisory Council’s adviser.
“Her guidance along with these incredible teens continue to bring innovative ideas and programs to local residents,” Waagner said.
Petzel said the council hopes to continue the drive-in movie nights through October. Full details and tickets can be found at www.torringtondrivein.com.
Future drive-in movies and dates include “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Aug. 8; “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Aug. 15; and “Grease” Aug. 22. Tickets can be purchased in advance for these dates.