Gloucester hosts first drive-in movie for Halloween

Parks and recreation department will be screening classic film ‘Hocus Pocus’

If you’re looking for a way to safely participate in Halloween festivities this year, look no further than Gloucester’s first ever drive-in movie night taking place this weekend.

The city’s parks and recreation department will screen the film “Hocus Pocus” at Gloucester High School’s parking lot at 6:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Katey Legg, Gloucester ’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism director, said this is an event the department has been talking about for years.

Gloucester Main Street Association’s annual trick or treat event, which usually attracts a sizable crowd, was canceled this year because of the epidemic.

“As we see more and more things get canceled, we’re trying to come up with a creative way to still engage the community and provide some nice, community events in a safe way,” she said.

Many localities have hosted such drive-in events to get people together. Staff will be enforcing health precautions on-site by mandating cars to park in every other space. In addition, people will be encouraged to remain inside their vehicles. “They will not be able to set up chairs outside of their vehicle,” Legg said. “This is a ‘strictly contained i nto the vehicle’ space.” Coronavirus cases have recently resurged across the county. In Virginia, the number of confirmed cases has surged up to 167,754 with up to 3,485 deaths. Legg said the county will continue following guidelines and recommendations from the health district. In addition to staff wearing masks, there will be plenty of signs reminding people to wear their masks and keep their distance. In addition to the movie screening, staff will be handing out candy to people in their cars as they drive to their spot, as part of a “mini drive-thru trick or treat.” Pizza and drinks will also be sold. Tickets are being sold at $15 per car

You can grab your movie tickets open here: at gloucesterva.info/pr.6 p.m. Gates