Drive-in movies back in Stanislaus County due to coronavirus. Here’s where they’ll be
The drive-in movie is back in Stanislaus County and beyond.
One of the unexpected outcomes of the coronavirus pandemic has been the resurgence of drive-in events as a way to social distance while still having an outing with family. The cinema concept was officially OKed last week in Stanislaus County’s revised public health order, which also reopened retail businesses for curbside and delivery pickup.
The first local event will be a co-sponsored screening of “E.T.” May 22 by Modesto’s State Theatre and Shelter Cove Community Church. Announced last week, the outdoor showing of the 1980s classic family movie has already sold out, with 200 cars expected to drive in to the church grounds in north Modesto to watch the film.
But don’t fret if you missed this first one. State Theatre Executive Director Kirstie Boyett said they plan on setting up more drive-in movie events with Shelter Cove in coming weeks. The nonprofit theater and church are working on scheduling for future outdoor events, and hope to have more slated by early June. The first event sold out in a matter of days.
But the State Theatre isn’t the only group interested in hosting and sponsoring such screenings. While the county does not have any dedicated drive-in movie theaters anymore, groups are getting creative. The Stanislaus County Fair board has contacted officials about hosting a similar movie event on its Turlock grounds.
Other Stanislaus County groups ready drive-in plans
According fair spokeswoman Adrenna Alkhas, the fair is working with others in the community to host a drive-in experience. The details for an event at the fairgrounds have not been finalized yet, but Alkhas said they hope to have an event set “in the next few weeks” for likely showings in June and July.
Representatives from Vintage Faire Mall have also reached out to county officials, said Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services spokesman Raj Singh. Requests for information about upcoming movie events at the Modesto mall were not returned. Macerich, which owns and operates Vintage Faire, has had the north Modesto shopping center locked and closed since March 23. Only one store, LensCrafters, is still open inside for patients by appointment only.
Stanislaus County groups aren’t alone in getting into the drive-in movie business. In Tuolumne County, the Chicken Ranch Casino has begun hosting a series of drive-in events at its Jamestown site. The next screening will be the Pixar animated film “Monsters, Inc.” Wednesday, May 13.
The casino, which has been closed since March 16, started having drive-in movies in its outdoor parking lot May 6. Films are currently scheduled for multiple times a week through May 17, and include several double-feature nights. Tickets the Chicken Ranch casino events are $15 for single showing, $20 for a double feature per carload.
The State Theatre’s drive-in movie event is another way the historic downtown is raising revenue and keeping active during the coronavirus shutdowns. In April the theater began curbside popcorn and movie candy sales to support itself through the closure. Those efforts have gained ground and increased sales each week.
The theater’s Friday Popcorn Drive continues this month and drive-in movie participants are encouraged to drop by before the showing to pick up snacks.
For future drive-in events from the State, expect similar set ups. Admission is $25 per carload. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks, but no alcohol is permitted on site. Tickets must be purchased in advance and entry to the 7:30 p.m. screening begins at 6:45 p.m.
Once on site, guests must stay in their cars. Pickup trucks are allowed, but seating is not permitted in open truck beds or hatchback trunks. Masks must be worn when using the bathroom facilities. Like with Shelter Cove’s ongoing drive-in church services, cars will be parked 10 feet apart. Guests will then tune into an FM radio station to hear the movie dialogue and soundtrack as it plays.
No on-site food sales are allowed, but the State has partnered with a number of Modesto restaurants to set up pre-order menus that can be picked up before the movie screening. Those restaurants are Fuzio Universal Bistro, La Morenita, Galletto Ristorante and Smoky’s Neighborhood Grill.
State Executive Director Boyett said she was encouraged by the community’s overwhelming response to their event. She said she hopes it can be a bright spot for people who have been dutifully following the stay-at-home order and social distancing rules for the last two months. Still, because of distributor and set-up costs, she said the event isn’t going to be a big money maker for the theater. But that wasn’t its true goal either.
“Since this launched people have been excited, like holy cow, and I don’t think they even care what the movie is. They’re like, ‘Let’s have something to look forward to,” she said. “This is a we love Modesto, feel-good thing for us.”
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 2:21 PM.
