HIGHWOOD, IL — Drive-in movie screenings are scheduled to begin Saturday in Highwood with a socially distanced screening in the Starbucks lot.
Celebrate Highwood announced a pair of parking lot screenings of family-friendly films over the coming month, the first post-coronavirus community events planned by the local nonprofit, which canceled its summer season of festivals and community events due to the pandemic.
“We are pivoting from our originally scheduled events to accommodate the current climate and in order for Celebrate Highwood to come back stronger than ever in 2021, funding is required to make it all possible,” Celebrate Highwood President Michael Goldstein said, announcing the event.
“We know our community will love the vintage vibe a drive-in movie will bring to Highwood, and it’s a great way for everyone to get out in a safe social setting to support Celebrate Highwood and each other,” he added.
The group, which had planned to host a Wednesday evening market, Music & Social, Inferno Fest, Highwood Days and Garlic Fest, hopes to use the pop-up drive-in movie nights to raise money for next year’s events. Its entire summer lineup was canceled in April in response to COVID-19.
Space in the Starbucks parking lot at Sheridan and Old Elm roads is limited to 40 cars. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance. There will not be any bathrooms available, according to organizers.
Each vehicle will have about 8 to 12 feet of space to allow for adequate physical distance. Attendees may bring their own chairs and sit outside, but they must stay within the width of their vehicle, organizers said.
Organizers those planning to attend to patronize local businesses for food and snacks they may enjoy during the movie.
Tickets for Saturday’s screening of the 2012 animated film “The Lorax” are available online. They are not refundable. No walk-up tickets will be available. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to Sunday.
The second planned screening — set for Aug. 15 — is the 2015 comedy “Daddy’s Home” starring Will Ferrell, Linda Cardellini and Mark Wahlberg.
This article originally appeared on the Highland Park Patch
