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Sikeston to host drive-in movie Saturday night
SIKESTON — Anyone looking for fun, family entertainment while also social distancing will have the opportunity Saturday night during a drive-in movie at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo Grounds.
Set for 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, the “Drive-In Movie Night” will include a showing of “The Sandlot.” Admission is $10 per vehicle. Healthcare/first responders are free with their valid IDs. The event, which has a 200-vehicle capacity for sound and picture quality, opens at 7:45 p.m.
“I was thinking of events and things we could do for the community that we could look forward to while still social distancing and thought of the drive-in movie,” said Kathy Medley, director of the Sikeston Convention and Visitors Bureau. “I grew up where there was a drive-in theater and I thought: ‘Why can’t we do that here?’”
With movie theaters across the nation, including Sikeston, temporarily closed due to the pandemic, Medley said now was the perfect time to offer the event. She researched what it would take to offer a drive-in movie and found a company in Crystal City, Missouri, that provides inflatable screens.
“My first contact was to the Jaycees because the rodeo grounds was the ideal place to host it, and they loved the idea. Ryan Lindsey and Terry Burton helped me configure the event,” Medley said.
Due to licensing requirements, they couldn’t show any new films, but Medley said they decided on “The Sandlot” since it was a good, family-friendly summer movie.
Set in the summer of 1962, the 1993 comedy follows fifth grader Scotty Smalls, a new kid in town, who is taken under the wing of a young baseball prodigy and his rowdy team, resulting in many adventures.
“I think the drive-in movie is a great idea,” said David Turnbow, general manager of the Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn in Sikeston, who is also a Sikeston Tourism Board member.
Turnbow said several ball teams have booked at the hotels for the weekend, and he will promote the event to them, too, as visitors often look for entertainment ideas.
Abbi Lindsey said she’s also excited for a drive-in movie to be offered in Sikeston.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Lindsey said. “‘The Sandlot’ is a good movie that is a classic for parents. It’s one those movies we watched when we were little, and it’s still entertaining enough to keep our kids’ attention.”
Attendees can stay inside their vehicles or they can bring lawn chairs and sit outside their vehicles, Medley said.
“We’re spacing the vehicles so everyone has ample room,” she said.
Drive-in movie attendees must shut off their engines, Medley noted.
“The screen is huge, and you can listen to movie in your car on the radio. A radio station call number will be posted on the screen and attendees can tune their dials and listen to the movie, or they can roll down their windows and listen to the sound coming from the screen,” Medley said.
Outdoor restrooms will be available, Medley said, adding Aramark is providing hand sanitizer and wipes near the concessions and restrooms.
Lindsey, who owns Missouri Treats in Miner, will also sell concessions during the event.
“I will have several different flavors of popcorn — birthday cake and Cinnamon Toast Crunch plus regular movie theater butter and a few different cheesy flavors,” Lindsey said.
She will also sell “40 Below Joe” – a frozen coffee treat — as well as cotton candy. Lindsey said she also plans to give away a family basket full of treats.
Food trucks, such as Wade On It smoked meats, will also be on hand to sell concessions.
Lindsey said she’s just excited Sikeston is hosting its first-ever drive-in movie.
“They are allowing people to sit outside of their cars so bring a blanket and pillows and sit in front of your vehicles or in lawn chairs,” she said. “The cars will be spaced out enough, and we’re all meeting social distancing guidelines.”
Medley and Lindsey said they also want to show support to the local businesses sponsoring the event, which include Aramark, Beggs Family Farm, Carnell, Century 21 Premier Realty, Mac Con Co./Zanneco, SEMO Title Co., Ultimate Flooring, Buz Zero and Orgill.
Prior to the start of the film at 8:30 p.m., there will be a brief thank you to sponsors and a new tourism video, Medley said.
“I also want to thank the Sikeston Jaycees for letting us host the movie night,” Medley said. “They’ve been great to work with on this event.”
Medley said the drive-in movie is intended to be a one-time event, but organizations looking to host a drive-in movie can contact her for information.
In the meantime, she is looking forward to seeing a large turnout Saturday night.
“I think it would be great if the community comes out and enjoys this event,” Medley said. “I hope they take advantage of it and get together as a community to enjoy an old-fashioned, drive-in movie.”