Drive-in movie theaters in the red phase are opening up regardless across the Lehigh Valley

Becky's Drive-In

Becky's Drive-In in Lehigh Township plans to reopen Friday, May 22, 2020, despite the Lehigh Valley remaining in the red phase of Gov. Tom Wolf's three-tiered reopening plan.Lehighvalleylive.com file photo

Becky’s Drive-In Theater in Lehigh Township plans to reopen in time for Memorial Day weekend despite the Lehigh Valley remaining in the red phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s three-tiered reopening plan.

The iconic drive-in, 4548 Lehigh Drive, will be making all guests adhere to various social distancing guidelines amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic, according to a post on its Facebook page. The announcement of the reopening on Facebook garnered 4,200 reactions and 4,000 shares.

The drive-in plans to show its first flicks on two screens at 8:40 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Friday for for “Bad Boys For Life” and “Trolls World Tour," respectively. Two other movies -- “Dolittle” and “Bloodshot” -- are planned to follow at 10:40 p.m. and 11 p.m., respectively.

A question and answer segment on the main page of the drive-in’s website Tuesday didn’t appear to be updated, instructing cars to park close to the vehicle next to it and allowing guests to place lawn chairs and blankets in front of vehicles. Another page discusses a snack bar but also doesn’t state any health or safety protocols stemming from pandemic.

Critical workers employed at businesses that are authorized to maintain in-person operations during the COVID-19 disaster emergency are required to wear masks, as are customers “while on premises,” under a month-old state order.

Mary Mayberry, co-owner of Becky’s Drive-In, told lehighvalleylive.com Wednesday cars will be spaced out by at least nine feet and the overall number of vehicles entering the parking lot will be limited by half. Social distancing of six feet apart between patrons and concessions will be mandated, as well as during trips to the restroom. Masks will be required of any patron when vacating a vehicle, Mayberry said.

She additionally said concessions will be frequently sanitized and all employees will be required to wear masks and gloves. Playgrounds, Mayberry said, are being shut down for the season.

All attendees will be able to hear the movie through an FM radio station in their car or buy purchasing portable radios for $3, the drive-in states on its website.

Gov. Tom Wolf on March 19 ordered a shutdown of all non-essential businesses. The governor on April 22 outlined a three-tiered approach for statewide counties reopening. The plan is color-coded by red for the current, most restrictive approach to yellow and, finally, green. The northeast region, which includes the Lehigh Valley and Poconos region, are expected to be among the last to reopen due to population and cases.

Mayberry told The Times News she would be notifying Pennsylvania State Police of her decision to reopen. She told lehighvalleylive.com she grew frustrated by drive-in’s in yellow counties being permitted to open, as well as pop-up theaters in New Jersey and New York. Becky’s is about 5 miles shy of the Carbon County line, which will move to the yellow phase on May 22.

" I wish them no ill will as all small businesses are trying to survive in this Commonwealth," Mayberry said.

“We, at Becky’s, are convinced we can offer high quality entertainment in an extremely safe manner while adhering to all recommended guidelines. We are opening because the financial consequences of the lockdown threaten the continued existence (of the drive-in)."

Paul Geissinger, who owns Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre off Route 309 in Orefield with his wife, Susan, also plans to open Friday, May 29 to the public. The drive-in will have movies throughout the entire weekend and if all goes well, consider its usual double screenings seven days a week into the summer months.

“We’re excited but reserved,” Geissinger told lehighvalleylive.com about the opening.

Geissinger claims he received permission to open from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which handles the drive-in’s food safety license.

Geissinger said the drive-in will follow all guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Pennsylvania Department of Health and Department of Agriculture. This includes halving the amount of parking spaces occupied in the lot for a maximum of about 150 vehicles. All guests are required to wear masks, he said.

The snack bar will remain open, however, its capacity will be limited to maintain social distancing, Geissinger said.

Despite Carbon County moving to the yellow phase, the Mahoning Drive-in Theater, 635 Seneca Road in Lehighton, does not plan to reopen just yet, said Virgil Cardamone, a partner with the theatre.

“We felt it was incredibly appropriate to wait an additional two weeks to allow other neighboring counties to open up,” Cardamone told lehighvalleylive.com. “The Mahoning has a wide reach to our fanbase.”

The drive-in is planning a June 5-6 reopening with its annual screening of “The Wizard of Oz” and “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” on 35mm film. The usual double features, Cardamone said, likely will played every weekend after that at sundown.

Social distancing guidelines will run the gamut from staff being in control of spacing in lines to online ticketing sales being accepted only, to contactless ordering and pickup of concessions. Masks will be required on restroom and concession runs, Cardamone said.

Cardamone also planning to cap the amount of cars entering the parking lot. While there’s room for 1,000 cars in the parking lot, he has already capped early ticket sales at 400, which totals about 250 vehicles.

“Although there are many question marks and extra steps the staff has to take each night, we feel so incredibly blessed to be in a position to offer a simple escape for a few hours from this crazy world,” he said about opening. “When you break the drive-in experience down to its core, it’s truly the safest way to enjoy a film.”

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.

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