See the Stars Under the Stars at Unadilla Drive-In

See the Star s Under the Star s at Unadilla Drive-In

BY ALLISON COLLINS

Wilson noted, run the gamut. Changes introduced in 2020,

Th e Unadilla Drive-In, an “What I’ve mostly seen is a Wilson said, will likely remain old-timey, outdoor movie theater lot more families, but we get through this season. at 1706 state Highway 7 in Un- all kinds – older people, dates, “It’s going to stay really similar,” adilla, off ers visitors a uniquely young people, but it does depend he said. “We did have a lot more pandemic-friendly movie-going on the movie,” he said. “And we that we had to do, in terms of experience. do get some people that like to sanitation and even regulation.

Th e theater opened its gates in go around and check out all the We had to cut the maximum May 1956 and was purchased by drive-ins and like the nostalgia of attendance by 50%; we can the Wilson family, of Unadilla, in 2000. Spencer Wilson manages the site. Since purchasing the drive-in, the Wilsons have renovated its screens, grounds, concessions and other equipment, including switching At the time of writing, Wilson noted, the movie schedule for the 2021 season was still being fi nalized. “With the limited amount of new releases, we’ll get some, but chances are there’ll be weekends it. It’s been around 70-plus years, so there are people now in their 60s and 70s who went here as kids, so it’s cool to see that.” Wilson said, in addition to the inexpensive fare and old-fashioned charm, customers technically hold up to 400 cars, but right now we have to keep it at 200 to keep people six feet apart … and we’re sticking to that 50% until we hear otherwise.” While the drive-in off ered to a digital projector in the where we’ll do older (fi lms) and appreciate that the drive-in is a advance ticket sales online last mid-2000s. themed nights,” he said. “Th ose generational business. year, Wilson noted, this year

Wilson extolled the site’s did really well and I think people “One thing I think that he plans to return to in-person singularity. liked some of those better than people fi nd unique … is it is admission only.

“It’s something you can’t do regular nights, so … it will be a family-owned and has been for at For more information, very often,” he said. “If you mix of some new and some old. least the last 25 years,” he said. including movie selection and live here, you can, but it’s just And we want to do a lot more “It went from my parents to my dates, fi nd “Unadilla Drive-In” on diff erent. One of the big things (online) poll-type stuff . If we’re older brothers, to my sister, to Facebook, visit drive-in.ws or call is the fact that it’s in Unadilla; it’s a tiny town and you wouldn’t going to show old movies, we want to know what people want now me, so that’s kind of cool.” 607-369-2000. expect it, it’s kind of out of no- to see; we don’t want do the same where. Th ere’s a lot more freedom things over again, but keep it involved and, even with COVID, fresh.” it’s not dangerous; it’s safe, it’s Th e drive-in setting, Wilson fun, you get your freedom and noted, proved especially popular better prices on everything. through the 2020 season. (Admission) is two (movies) for “Last year in particular, with one and our snack bar, if you everything being closed, there compare to other places, is way was a whole bunch of hype cheaper. I think it’s just a better because we were the only ones experience than the movies.” open,” he said. “So, we got a lot

Typically, Wilson said, the of people from Binghamton and drive-in shows a double feature, even past Binghamton. It has with the fi rst fi lm geared toward younger and family audiences, and the second for spread quite a bit.” And customer demographics, adults.

Despite the halting of movie production through the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilson • Cakes said, the drive-in remained open and • Cupcakes got creative. Last year, the drive-in • Cookies hosted themed • Fresh Bread movie nights, viewings of popular • Pies throwback fi lms 5714 S. Transit Rd. (Behind Verizon store) Lockport, NY 14094 • (716) 438-7452and a prerecorded Bakery Hours: Tuesday-Friday 7am-6pm; Saturday 9am-2pm concert series. For our menu and examples visit our website: www.TaterCakesWNY.com

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