Preparations to reopen are in high gear at the Warwick Drive-In Theater this week after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday that drive-ins would be able to reopen this Friday.

When Warwick Drive-In owner Beth Wilson heard Governor Cuomo's announcement, she couldn't contain her excitement.

 

What You Need To Know

  • Drive-in theaters among a small group of businesses the state's allowing to open early
  • Warwick Drive-In won't have many new first-run films
  • Staff members will be monitoring to make sure people are socially distancing, wearing masks outside

 

"We were super excited," said Wilson. "It was great, I jumped up and down, I cried. There was just … the emotions just kept flowing."

Then the scramble began to get ready for their first night of shows.

Wilson is anticipating the drive-in will be full of cars with passengers eager to get out of the house for a night of entertainment, but there will be new changes in effect to facilitate social distancing.

"As of today, we do have an online ticket option,” Wilson said. “It’s limited, because we're not sure how we’re gonna work it yet.”

They're even working on an app for their concession stand that will allow for curbside pickup of your snacks while staff members monitor to make sure patrons are maintaining social distancing.

"If you're out of your car and going into a common area, you must wear a mask," said Wilson. "We're not saying you have to wear your mask in your car."

Since Hollywood is no longer cranking out new releases, you'll get to watch recent box office hits like “Bad Boys for Life” or more kid-friendly flicks like “Trolls” or “Jumanji.”

"We have moms and dads who have gone over and beyond their call of duty right now for the last three months, being a parent, being a school teacher, working, house cleaning, everything,” Wilson said, “and they might just say, 'hey, we want a date night.’ ”

Double features begin Friday at 8 p.m.