Arts center to host monthly drive-in films

FAIRFIELD - The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center received such a positive response to its series of drive-in movies in December that it plans to make the event a monthly occurrence.

The center recently announced that it will show a drive-in movie at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19 in the parking lot west of the center. It had initially planned to show a film this Friday, but executive director Lindsay Bauer said the forecast was too frigid for an outdoor event.

'While people in their cars might be able to stay warm, I wouldn't be able to keep my staff warm,” she said.

The center will show another drive-in movie on March 26, and a third on April 9, both of which are Fridays.

Bauer said the idea of a monthly drive-in movie was something the center's board and staff had been contemplating ever since drawing big crowds for their drive-in films in December. Then the response from the public was so overwhelming that the center had to move its showings to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds to accommodate all of the cars. In January, the center got the go-ahead from the movie licensing company it was working with to show more outdoor films.

Bauer said the center's staff plans to host all of the films in the center's adjacent parking lot rather than moving them to a larger venue.

'Maybe we'll reassess that decision after a while, but for as complicated as it is to work in somebody else's backyard, we're going to stay home for now,” she said.

Just as in December, spaces for the drive-in movie will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no admission, though Bauer said the center is asking for a suggested donation of $10 to help cover the cost of the event. The center will sell popcorn and soda pop, too. Gates will open 30 minutes before show time, and residents are recommended to arrive 15 minutes early to get a spot. The parking lot can accommodate about 25 cars.

To listen to the film's audio, residents will be instructed to tune to a specific radio station in their car, which they will learn upon arrival.

Bauer cannot release the names of the films in print, a stipulation of the licensing agreement, but she could say that the February film is a romantic comedy, the March film is geared toward kids, and the April film is about baseball.