From hula hooping and Elvis Presley concerts to jukeboxes and diners, some ideas from the 1950s lived on while others have rightfully petered out. But, in the midst of global pandemic almost 70 years later, who would have guessed that an idea forged in the fifties would help all Americans return to some sense of normal? Yep, you guessed it: we’re talking about drive-ins. 

Drive-in theatres surged as a formidable solution to gathering safely during COVID by allowing attendees to experience live performances or graduations from the safety of their car. Now with fall in full swing, Wizard Studios has ideas for the next step of drive-ins, and it’s creating pop-up drive-ins for this season’s abundance of festivals and community days! Here are our tips on making sure your fall drive-in event is an unrivaled success. 

• Play with Location While Utilizing the Season

Drive-in events don’t have to be limited to drive-in movie spaces. Pop-up drive-ins are happening all over the country in an array of unique spaces. Event producers are hosting drive-in events in parking lots of malls, empty concert venues and sports stadiums, as well as at public docks and open fields. 

As the fall foliage begins to showcase itself and the weather cools down, now is the perfect time to utilize the beauty of the outdoors. Consider how many historic sites, recreational areas, farms, and flea markets could be tailored to allow the beauty of autumn to serve as the perfect outdoor drive-in backdrop.  

• Lean Into Traditional Fall Ideas

It’s true that we can’t look forward to enjoying live football games or halloween parties together this fall, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t take some traditional ideas as inspiration for our drive-in events. 

Apple picking, pumpkin carvings, scary movie marathons, and halloween costume competitions could add a fun, DIY element to your drive-in community day, drive-in, or “drive-into” experience. When planned safely with CDC guidelines in mind, you could combine a drive-in scary movie with a rotating schedule of apple picking to ensure safe physical distancing. Or, allow the food you offer to be packaged individually as a take-and-go meal so attendees have the ability to stop briefly, pick up their warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and be on their way home. With the right planning, the possibilities are endless.

• Consider a “Drive-Into” Experience

Most people are used to drive-in events being predominantly stationary, with the only movement involving you and your family finding the best parking spot for the main event. But consider the options your event would have with elements of a drive-through or “drive-into” experience.

If you’re considering a fall community day, consider activities, shows, and performances that could be considered a mix of a theme park, a drive-in, and a live theatrical performance. An opportunity like this could capitalize on consumers’ desire to be close to live performances and events but enjoy the peace of mind that comes from staying unexposed in their car.   

• Utilize Space with a Multi-Level, Temporary Structure

If you’re laying the groundwork for a large outdoor gathering in a nontraditional space, you’re likely on the lookout to utilize space in a way that offers as much versatility as possible. Wizard Studios is happy to offer our services, from concept renderings and custom fabrication to construction and logistics, to build a customizable, multi-level structure that fits your drive-in event’s needs to a tee.

• Logistics and Equipment

If you’re planning a fall music festival, movie marathon, or community day, prioritize logistics so that your event runs smoothly. Ensure cars are spaced and staggered for social distancing with optimal sightlines in mind, and ensure all portable restrooms have sinks and plenty of hand sanitizer (this involves making sure the venue has the personnel needed to replace that hand sanitizer quickly when it runs out!). 

Many companies allow venues and event producers to rent all the equipment necessary to pull off an amazing drive-in concert or festival, but be sure you’re investing in the best equipment available depending on your venue’s needs. Most will certainly offer a giant screen, digital projector, and accompanying equipment, but depending on the company, the amenities they offer may not be best suited for what you’re going for. For example, some offer FM transmission equipment, so families can tune in to a particular FM station to hear a movie’s sound instead of utilizing a live sound system. Do your research and see what works best for you and your venue. 

If you’re going to create an immersive and safe drive-in experience this fall, don’t worry about handling it all alone. Let the professionals at Wizard Studios help you create a drive-in event that our world is in need of right now, and bring a little pandemic-safe, holiday fun through the fall!