It took longer than expected but a drive-in is returning to Queens.

Co-founder of the South Shore Drive-In Catherine Croft had hoped to be showing films again this spring.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions and some technical issues postponed the reopening of the drive-in at the Hank Snow Museum.

“Towards when we were opening and then my tech guy said, oh by the way, we need a new bulb,” said Croft. “I didn’t know about it. I was waiting for our sizes to open to at least 50, that’s done now.”

Croft was referring to the COVID-19 restrictions lifting to allow at least 50 people to gather outdoors.

In fact, 150 people are now permitted to gather outside which means the drive-in can open to its normal capacity of 300 cars.

“Because we are a drive-in, we keep everyone social distanced by being in their own vehicles,” said Croft. “The only time you’re not in your vehicle is when you are going to the washroom and or concessions and there you’ll find that we are fully masked and hand sanitizers. Washrooms are cleaned upon use.”

Croft says the plan is open Aug. 6 with a double feature but then there will be a short hiatus for films at the Hank Snow site over the next couple of weeks.

The following weekend the drive-in will be closed due to the Hank Snow mini tribute and the weekend of Aug. 27, Croft and her crew will be taking the show on the road to Gateway Campground in Caledonia.

The pop-up show called a Field Good Time will feature a couple of movies, monster truck rides and live music.

The South Shore Drive-In will return to its home at the Hank Snow Museum in September.

Croft hopes to run shows into late October or until the evenings become too cool to operate the equipment.

She says by bringing back the drive-in, she and the rest of the organizers want to provide people an experience they will cherish.

“That’s what we want to bring to the table this year is more of the retro, more of the fun,” said Croft. “We want to create memories as much as you can enjoy remembering your own from years ago.”

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.