Drive-in theatre to pop up at Northgate Mall

The parking lot at Regina’s Northgate Mall is soon to be the venue for drive-in movies every weekend.

They’re to be put on by a local business that specializes in hosting events, like weddings and parties.

“As you can imagine, our summer has been quite a bit slower and we’ve talked about doing a drive-in for a few years now and it just became the perfect opportunity to give it a go,” said Jennifer Edworthy, co-owner of All In Event Services.

Edworthy plans to screen films every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the first show — Frozen 2 — set for June 5.

They’re to play on a screen measuring 40 feet by 20 feet that was purchased from a company in the United States. Tickets are to be sold on the Monday before the show.

Concessions would be ordered online beforehand, with no-contact service.

All In Event Services will be donating $1 from each ticket sale to the Regina Humane Society.

As public health guidelines stand, Edworthy said the drive-in can accommodate 65 vehicles in the lot, each one six metres apart.

She hopes the provincial government will make changes that would allow vehicles to be two metres apart. That would allow organizers to fit 100 vehicles.

If the movies turn out to be a success, Edworthy said her company plans to hold more events like this in the future.

“We’re really wanting to focus on supporting local. For example, the popcorn that we’re using is from a local company,” she said.

“We’re in talks with some local artists to do our pre-show so we can have music (or) maybe some music videos.”

Under the province’s plan to gradually reopen, outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people won’t be allowed until Phase 3, which is to begin June 8.

Until then, Edworthy said the drive-in experience is one people can’t get watching Netflix at home.

“So many people have not done anything quite like this before in their life. You’re very comfortable in your vehicle. You don’t have to worry about talking, if that’s the type of person you are when you go to the movies,” she said.

“But it also gets you out of the house (and) gives your kids something to do. It’s just something people are needing right now.”

More details can be found at the All In Event Services website or Facebook page.