The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
The big picture
Since COVID-19 hit, “date night” is not quite what it used to be, at least not for couples who enjoyed going to the movies. With indoor theaters closed until just recently, some couples got creative, making date night a home-cooked meal and Netflix or setting up an evening picnic in the backyard. Still, a movie date night is an American tradition, one that has been sorely missed by movie fans over the last two months. There has been an alternative, however: the drive-in, which appears to be making a resurgence.
The first drive-in theater opened in Camden, N.J., on June 6, 1933, by a movie fan whose mother complained about the uncomfortable seats in traditional theaters. A carload’s admission was a quarter back then. Drive-in movies were hugely popular in the 1950s to 1960 and at their heyday, there were more than 4,000 drive-in theaters across the United States. They were not just for couples, either, but became a pastime for groups of friends and families, as well. While there are only just over 300 still in existence today, they seem to be making a comeback, particularly in the last few weeks, when people tired of being quarantined were looking for something safe to do outside of their homes.
Practicing social distancing is easier outdoors and drive-ins have the added advantage that you are within your own space in your vehicle. While there are concessions available at the theaters, budget-conscious families can bring their own food and drinks in their own car to cut down on costs.
The state’s oldest drive-in, the Pleasant Valley Drive-In, opened in 1947 in Barkhamsted; it currently shows movies Thursdays through Sundays. As of press time, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Sonic the Hedgehog were just two of the movies playing. For a schedule, visit pleasantvalleydriveinmovies.com and the theater is at 47 River Road (Route 181).
While guests must observe social-distancing parking, people can sit outside directly in front of their cars. The concession and restrooms have been tweaked also to separate guests. One concession window is for ordering and the other is for pickup. Only one person may be in the bathroom at a time. No credit cards are accepted, only cash.
Spots fill up quickly so regulars there recommend arriving before 6:30 p.m.. Admission is $5 per child (age 6-12), $10 for ages 13 and up and Thursday is double-feature, carload night at $20. No food deliveries to the site or grilling are allowed. Leashed pets are welcome though. For a movie schedule and more info, visit pleasantvalleydriveinmovies.com.
Open since 1954 and owned and operated by the same local family for 45 years, the Mansfield Drivein Theatre & Marketplace in Mansfield shows movies Fridays through Thursday, April through September, on three screens. Gates open up at 7:15 p.m. No pets are allowed. This is the largest of the state’s drive-ins with parking for about 1,000 cars (pre-COVID-19). As of press time, the original Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Pineapple Express were playing.
As per the theater’s COVID-19 safety guidelines, it will only show single features and are staggering start times. Tickets may be purchased online only. Cars are being parked to allow 10 feet between vehicles. Guests must stay in their vehicles or truck beds at all times except to use the restrooms, and they must wear masks if leaving their cars. The snack bar is delivery only. The playground is closed and the seasonal flea market there, which normally runs weekends, has been postponed. Flea market fans can check the theaters’ social media channels for info when the market will be back. For a schedule and more info, visit mansfielddrivein.com.
Area drive-in fans may recall the Southington Drive-In, which opened in 1955 and closed in 2002. A committee reopened the drive-in part of the property in 2010 and the theater has been screening classic family flicks during the summer. This summer, however, it announced on Facebook in mid-May that the theater was cancelling its summer season. “The town of Southington in conjunction with the Plainville-Southington Regional Health District will revisit a potential opening for the months of August and September. As they say in Hollywood — stay tuned!” according to the post. Visit southingtondrive-in.org for updates.
Besides these three permanent movie theaters, several pop-up drive-ins have recently opened in Fairfield County.
First, couples night out is fun but the Stamford Museum & Nature Center takes it one step further by offering the authentic drive-in experience as a “family night out” event. The movies take place in the center’s north parking lot at 151 Scofieldtown Road. Cost is $40 for up to two people and family admission is $60 for three or more people. Babe, ET, Charlotte’s Web, and Ferdinand are some of the movies scheduled for the summer lineup. Tickets must be purchased in advance online at stamfordmuseum.org/drivein.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is at 8:30 p.m. All spots are first-come, first-served, so arrive early and you can walk around Heckscher Farm before showtime. Socially-distanced parking will enable outdoor seating. Available refreshments include Moose & Monty’s Munch Boxes (popcorn and candy), which can be bought online along with tickets, and food trucks will be on-site until showtime.
Then, Ridgefield’s pop-up drive-in theater at the parking lot at Ridgefield High School is the brainchild of local businessman Billy Craig, owner of Craig’s Fine Jewelry, who worked with several local businesspeople to set up free drive-in movies for Saturdays the entire month of June. Though the movies are a town event, the Ridgefield Playhouse has helped promote them and has the full movie schedule posted online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
With traditional theaters slated to reopen June 17 (after this “Stay and Play” special section went to press), the outdoor movies will end June 27 with its final showing, Field of Dreams. Craig says he was open to the possibility of sharing his screen with the town, however, if it wanted to keep it going, but he didn’t want to compete with the Prospector Theater or the Ridgefield Playhouse once they reopen. The movie starts at 9 p.m. and parking is first come, first served. Attendees must enter the parking lot off Route 116. Per the governor’s mandate, all must stay in their cars.
Newtown landmark, the Edmond Town Hall, which is popular for its indoor movies at discount rates, began a pop-up drive-in theater in June in the parking lot behind its theater on Main Street, sponsored by Ingersoll Auto of Danbury. Response has been so popular that they plan to offer the drive-in movies all summer, even after the indoor theater reopens. Moves run at 9 p.m. nightly and tickets must be pre-ordered and printed in advance; attendance is limited to 42 cars a night. The theater also has a popcorn special, which can be delivered to your vehicle. Visit edmondtownhall. org/movies/ for more info.
Know before you go: Most venues have specific COVID-19 Phase 2 reopening protocols. Please visit their website before planning a trip to any of these destinations. Andrea Valluzzo is a freelance writer for the Hearst Connecticut Media Group.