Drive-In Movies Coming To Smith Haven Mall
LAKE GROVE, NY — Long Islanders will get to experience a different type of movie night this summer. Starfish Junction, a Long Island-based event producer, partnered with Simon Malls to bring a safe form of entertainment to families with the launch of Movie Lot, a pop-up drive-in series.
The 52-foot screen will be in the parking lot of Smith Haven Mall and acts as an alternative to indoor theaters in a time of uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus. Information on the summer schedule, safety guidelines, show times and ticket availability for showings at the mall can be found on the Movie Lot website. Patrons are told to enter near Verizon at 313 Smith Haven Mall and follow the signs to get to the movie lot.
"While this summer will undoubtedly look and feel a little different than summers past, Movie Lotwas created to deliver a fun and safe way to embrace summer recreation," Movie Lot said in a news release.
The concept is scheduled to kick off Thursday with a showing of "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark." Other movies included in the summer series weekend kick off are: the newly-released "Sonic the Hedgehog," "King Kong," "The Bad News Bears," and "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." The rest of the summer lineup will be announced soon and will include movies perfect for date nights, family fun nights, girl’s night out, sing-alongs, and midnight showings of fright-night classics.
There are a limited number of tickets available for each showing. Tickets are on sale now — at $40 per carload — for the summer series kick-off weekend and must be purchased online in advance at the MOVIE LOT website.
"Drive-in movies naturally adhere to the social distancing guidelines and gives people something fun to do," Lauren Powers, Senior Director at Starfish Junction, said via news release. "We’ve all been sheltering in place for weeks, our goal is to deliver a safe and entertaining way to lift the spirits of our neighbors while at the same time adhere to social distancing guidelines."
While drive-in theaters are staging a comeback across the country, Starfish Junction is attempting to position itself as one of the leaders on Long Island.
"We’ve got a great lineup for the summer and we anticipate a great response from the local community," Powers said. "But make no mistake about it, we will be strictly enforcing social distancing rules and regulations at each and every showing."
Ticket-holders are allowed to bring their own food and snacks to enjoy during films. Attendees can also consider ordering from Smith Haven Mall restaurants for curbside pick-up before filing into the lot for the movie. Portable restrooms will be available for use. The showings will go on rain or shine, so all ticket sales are final.
This article originally appeared on the Smithtown Patch
