During this Pandemic, much has changed in the world of finding entertainment. From concert venues to movie theatres, many had to shut down due to Covid-19. However, one throw-back form of entertainment has seen a resurgence during this time of physical distancing. The Drive-In Movie Theatre is seeing a comeback in family entertainment.

When indoor movie theaters closed during the pandemic and have since postponed opening, or like CW Theaters at the Lincoln Mall which reopened and then closed due to the lack of new movie releases, drive-in theaters, including the Rustic Tri-View Drive-In Theater in North Smithfield, have been selling out. Think about it, if you have to watch a movie from the 80s, the drive-in is the perfect place for those retro movies.

Many of us here who are of a certain age remember piling in the car with siblings in your pjs and watching movies like “Jaws” or “Back to the Future” from the comfort of your car. It is also much safer as everyone is already in the confines of their car and places are spacing parking spots to further social distance.

It is not just movies – Rustic has hosted graduations for several local high schools in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. Country music entertainers have turned to drive-in theaters to continue to bring live music to their fans. If you didn’t know this, Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts is home to a large community of country music fans. Rustic was one of the chosen drive-ins to host some sold out virtual country music concerts on the large screens including most recently, The Voice’s Blake Shelton and girlfriend Gwen Stefani.

In support of local culture, Rustic is hosting the Museum of Work and Culture and Rhode Island International Film Festival (RIIFF) event Ciné Québec on the large screen. MORE INFO.

RIIFF will also utilize Rustic Tri-View Drive-In for its 24th Festival Finalé Screening & Double Bill on Tuesday, August 11th, which will feature 8 films including “Barefoot: The Mark Baumer Story” about the prolific writer and environmental activist. MORE INFO.

Rustic will be hosting a very unlikely book release launch with Unlikely Books of Plainville, MA promoting Twilight Saga author, Stephanie Meyer and the release of the latest book in the saga, “Midnight Sun.” The release will be followed by a showing of the first movie in the saga “Twilight.” Are there any Twihards out there? MORE INFO.

Drive-in theaters are not the only places taking advantage of the “drive-in” feature. Locally, the City of Pawtucket Parks and Recreation Department got creative with the drive-in concept by hosting their first outdoor concert music series using school parking lots. While the performers are on a stage set up in the lot, cars are spaced out and you can enjoy the music by sitting in front of your car or staying in the car and tuning into local radio. Concerts continue Thursday nights through August MORE INFO.

There have been drive-by graduations, birthdays, and most recently a Cumberland couple hosted a drive-by wedding. READ FULL ARTICLE.

At this time, these “drive-ins” or “drive-bys” are some of the most creative ways for keeping families entertained and continuing family celebrations.

Written by: Patti McAlpine;
Photo credit: James Toomey