Drive-in theaters across Western Pa. set to open Friday

Drive-in movies theaters are set to open Friday across southwestern Pennsylvania as the state begins to loosen some coronavirus restrictions that have been in place since March.

They include Evergreen Drive-In Theatre near Mt. Pleasant and Dependable in Moon. Others are Brownsville in Fayette County, Riverside in Armstrong County, Skyview in Greene County and Starlight in Butler County.

Social distancing and other special measures will be in place, such as online food orders and face masks required.

Like most local drive-ins, Starlight will operate at half capacity, with one vehicle permitted per space.

Evergreen, which had planned to open April 3, will use one screen during opening weekend, while Dependable, Riverside and Brownsville will follow similar precautions as Starlight.

Concession stands at all locations will remain closed, although food, souvenirs and gift certificates can be ordered through phone apps, or, in the case of Brownsville, through a paper form that will be collected by workers.

“We just need to get our feet wet again and see how all the new changes are going to work, how the customers are going to react and so forth, and then we’ll probably get a little bit more into our normal routine by next weekend, the holiday,” said Joe Warren, owner of Evergreen.

What’s showing

As part of an Amazon promotion, Evergreen, Starlight, Dependable and Brownsville are showing “The Vast of Night” throughout the weekend. Amazon is debuting the film at select drive-ins across the country, People reported. It will launch on Prime Video May 29.

That is the only film Evergreen will show over the weekend. Prices ar $10 per adult and children 12 and older, and $5 for children ages 6-11. Gates open at 7 p.m. with the movie to start around 8:30 p.m.

Dependable will charge $.50 per car for the Amazon film and offer discounted tickets for “Trolls World Tour” of $5 per adult and $1 per child. Regular prices will resume Sunday.

Riverside will show “The Wizard of Oz” and “Twister.” Tickets start at $9 for adults and children ages 12 and older, $4 for children ages 6-11.

Brownsville will show the Amazon film and Trolls.

Skyview will show Trolls followed by “Onward” on one screen, with “The Hunt” and the “The Invisible Man” on its second screen. Tickets are $8 for ages 12 and older, or $4 for younger children.

Starlight will show Trolls and “Doolittle” on one screen, with “Onward” and “The Call of the Wild” on a second screen and the Amazon film (special of $.50 per car) and “The Aeronauts” on a third. Tickets are $8 for 12 and older, with $6 special for seniors. Tickets are $4 for children 3-11.