Spokane Valley Parks and Rec has hit with outdoor movie nights; sells all slots in few hours

The pandemic has changed everything this summer, including the usual outdoor movie series hosted by the Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department. But switch from outdoor movies to drive-in movies has been well received, so much so that available slots for two movie nights this month filled up in four hours last week.

“We were really excited with the response,” said Spokane Valley Recreation Coordinator Tina Gregerson. “We are at capacity for both shows. We’re excited to have as many cars as we can.”

Both movies will be shown at Valley Mission Park, 11123 E. Mission Ave. “Abominable” begins at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” will be shown at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 21. Admission is free but advance registration was required.

Gregerson said the city’s Parks and Recreation Department has traditionally hosted two or three outdoor movies every summer for years. “This year with COVID we were trying to think of some sort of way we could provide that service,” she said.

Drive-in movies seemed like the way to go and the movie series sponsor, WSECU, agreed to the change, Gregerson said.

The decision was made to have both of the movies at Valley Mission Park. “The south parking lot is ideal for a drive-in movie,” she said.

Each showing is limited to 100 cars. “Due to the governor’s guidelines in Phase 2, the cars must be parked in every other stall,” she said.

There are additional rules as well. People will be asked to stay in their cars. Anyone who needs to use the on-site restroom will have to wear a mask once they get out of their car, Gregerson said.

People who attended the old-style drive-in movies as children probably remember the speakers that hung on the car doors so people could hear the dialogue, but there won’t be anything like that during these movies. “It’s transmitted to your vehicle via radio,” she said.

With the two showings extremely popular, Gregerson said there has been discussion about adding more movie nights, but it simply isn’t in the park department’s budget. “We would be open to doing more,” she said. “We would love to do that. We would just need more sponsors.”

Advertising for the movies was relatively low key. A press release was sent out and anyone who had signed up for a Parks and Recreation class or program in the last two years was sent an email about the upcoming movies.

Gregerson said she was blown away by the quick response. The city even had to turn people away once all the slots were full. “I was a bit surprised,” she said. “We had hoped the community would jump on board.”

Even if it’s not possible to schedule more drive-in movies this year, Gregerson said it’s something the city is considering in the future even once the pandemic has passed. It’s clear from the community’s response that this is something people want to do, she said.

“When we’re beyond Phase 2, we’d be able to accommodate even more people,” she said.

But for now, the city will focus on hosting the two movie nights this month for those who were able to sign up before the slots filled.

“We are really looking forward to having a great drive-in movie this weekend,” Gregerson said.