Drive-in movie offers moviegoers safe alternative

PR Pop-Ups has created a drive-in movie theater experience for moviegoers during COVID-19. The cost is $25 per car for one movie, or $40 for the double feature. The movies begin at dusk. Photo courtesy of PR Pop-Ups
PR Pop-Ups has created a drive-in movie theater experience for moviegoers during COVID-19. The cost is $25 per car for one movie, or $40 for the double feature. The movies begin at dusk. Photo courtesy of PR Pop-Ups

Drive-in movie offers moviegoers safe alternative

BY TIA CAROL JONES

While COVID-19 caused indoor movie theaters to close their doors, people have rediscovered drive-in movie theaters. Percy Scott, of 360 Global Marketing, has created PR Pop-Ups, a mobile drive-in theater experience to fill the void felt by moviegoers who love film, but still want to practice social distancing.

Scott said he and his partner, Rita Lee, were talking about COVID-19 and they were frustrated because they were not able to go anywhere or do anything because of the stay-at-home orders due to the pandemic.

“We were wishing there was somewhere to go, something to do that was safe, but people could still go out and have that community feel,” Scott said.

Lee brought up the idea of a drive-in and Scott was excited about the prospect. Scott said he started putting things together. He said he knew a drive-in was a safe idea. In the meantime, McHenry had opened a drive-in at 50 percent capacity.

“It showed proof of concept that it could be done, as the state was allowing it to happen,” he said. “So, we were looking like do we want to go all the way out to McHenry or do we want to do something close to our own neighborhood.”

Scott said they decided to do something in their own community, so he reached out to the Mayor of Harvey and his chief of staff.

“We wanted to do something in the city of Harvey because of the stigma of how bad it is. We wanted to show if something’s done right, that people would come, people would have a good time and it would be safe,” he said. “And, we knew if we could do it in Harvey, we could do it anywhere.”

Scott said the turn-around time from discussion to implementation and marketing was pretty quick. He said it was discussed on a Friday morning and by 9 a.m. on Saturday, the social media post that went out at 11:50 p.m. the day before, had reached more than 300,000 people and it had been shared 3,500 times. The first drive-in movie was in May, around Mother’s Day.

Scott said he was grateful to Harvey’s Mayor Christopher Clark, and the city of Harvey to being receptive to bringing the drive-in to the community. He said without Clark’s ability to see the vision and allowing them to come into the city, it wouldn’t have taken off the way it did.

“The first weekend was sold out, we had a great time. There were no incidents,” he said. “We had super security and we made sure our staff was super friendly. The people that came not only came from the city of Harvey, but they came from all over the state. We had people from Bensenville, and Highland, in Indiana.”

Scott said he knew they had something. Then, the Mayor of Hazel Crest called to ask if they could bring the drive-in there.

“We took it to Hazel crest and our first weekend, we did ‘Purple Rain.’ We actually had to turn people away. Its been a success for us. We’re excited to be able to help the community,” he said.

Scott said Harvey residents were able to attend the drive-in for free. In Hazel Crest, residents get a discount on the movies. The cost is $25 per car for one movie, or $40 for the double feature. The movies begin at dusk.

Scott said people who come to the drive-in have become regulars and have brought other people with them. He said the community support has been tremendous. And, there have even been two wedding proposals before the movies started.

“It’s really been a community event. We really appreciate the people that have been supporting us,” he added. “We’re here, we’re not going anywhere,” he said, adding, “As long as COVID is out,” they’ll do their best to ensure people have quality entertainment that’s safe and secure.

PR Pop-Ups also will host a series of concerts, titled Headlights: A Live Drive-In Concert Experience. One features Hip Hop Star Da Baby on Saturday, July 25. The Sunday, July 26, concert will feature Charles Jenkins and Keke Wyatt. Those concerts will take place at Balmoral Park, in Crete, Ill.

For more information about the Drive-In, visit www.prpopups.com.

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