South Shore Drive-In screen. Photo Catherine Croft

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 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 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 August 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 August 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
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South Shore Drive-In screen. Photo Catherine Croft

Organizers of the South Shore Drive-In say this season will be worth the wait.

Catherine Croft, one of the principal organizers says people are asking when the local drive in will begin operations, pointing out other drive-ins in Nova Scotia have been operating for a few weeks.

Croft says the season will get underway soon and she’s asking patrons to be patient just a little while longer.

“Our drive-in is a bit different,” said Croft. “We’re run by volunteers and unlike some drive-ins that are able to do no-person contact essentially. You can buy your ticket online and you park yourselves.”

Croft says their operation is based on in-person interaction.

Her team of volunteers, including members of the Queens County Ground Search and Rescue, are responsible for everything from selling tickets, directing where to park, selling concessions and cleaning washrooms.

That support team alone, can include up to 30 people which could see the operation run afoul of public gathering limits set by public health.

Croft says their group had hoped to start showing films June 5, but now expects they will have to wait until sometime this summer when restrictions ease.

When the facility is up and running, Croft says they have plans to offer more than movies to their audience.

She is working to showcase local live music. Performers will play on a stage in front of the big screen while their image is shown behind them.

Croft also wants to expand their offerings into the community by bringing their smaller screen to private events.

That would allow people to watch movies, or play video games as part of their gatherings.

The screen is being installed this week at the South Shore Drive-In home on the Hank Snow Museum property.

Croft says she and her team are as anxious as everyone else to get the season underway.

“I’m ready. I’ve been all winter ready. I am ready to go with concessions, our screen is ready and cleaned this year and we’ll be ready to rock and roll whenever the government says or Dr. Strang can say that we can do it.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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

South Shore Drive-in screen. Photo credit: Catherine Croft

The South Shore Drive-in wraps up its inaugural season with a fright.

A double bill of family favourite and vintage horror films will round out an eventful first year this Halloween weekend.

According to co-founder Catherine Croft, the response to the drive-in has been inspiring.

“Going through the park at night, listening to the grandparents sharing this with the grandkids and their stories and the laughter and the fun, that’s why we do it,” said Croft.

She says she and her team of dedicated volunteers saw a need during the COVID-19 pandemic to get people out of their homes and interacting with one another. After working to put on the movies week after week, they are delighted to see their efforts have paid off.

“It was a way for us to connect as families and safely. I couldn’t have competed with the theatres, nor do I want to. That’s not what our intention was,” said Croft. “It was giving a product to what we needed now.”

Croft said finally getting the drive-in up and running in a permanent home at the Hank Snow museum this September is the culmination of years of work by many people.

In particular, Croft said Charlotte White has been pursuing the idea for over a decade and worked tirelessly to help raise almost $12,000 for equipment and operating costs.

Croft said deciding which films to show each week is a challenge as team members have their preferences. She said she would often leave it up to the public to decide by polling them on social media.

But what she has learned is that people coming to the drive-in want to revel in the nostalgia of the experience.

“So we’re looking at the 90s. Great movies like Back to the Future, of course Jurassic Park, the Ghostbusters, these were iconic movies that seem to bring us back to a time and that’s what we focused on, was bringing that old feel back to the theatre,” said Croft.

Croft is pleased the partnership with the Hank Snow Society has been beneficial. The profits are split 50/50 and the groups are already planning upgrades for next year.

Croft said they’re looking at installing new power hook ups and a more permanent building for their projector as well as closing in the concession stand to protect their volunteers from the elements.

“This has been more than what any of us had ever expected it to be,” said Croft. “We’re just absolutely excited to bring on 2021.”

Croft said they have some special excitement and treats planned for their closing Halloween night, and she expects that depending on weather, the South Shore Drive-In will reopen during the May long weekend next year.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson