Harvest Moon Drive-In releases movie-viewing guidelines during stay-at-home order

The Harvest Moon Drive-In Theater of Gibson City will open for its 66th season on May 8 under new guidelines while Illinois remains under the stay-at-home order.

As restrictions are lifted throughout the state, Harvest Moon Drive-In will also be making adjustments to the way they operate. They are hopeful that at some point during the summer they will be able to provide the drive-in experience that East Central Illinois residents are used to.

Guidelines that are expected to last at least until the end of May include:

• Drive-in theaters can only operate at half capacity.
• Vehicles will be parked at least 10 to 14 feet apart and spectators must remain in their car before, during and after the show. At this time, no one will be allowed to view the movie outside of their car, with the hatch of the vehicle up or in the back of a pickup truck.
• Spectators can get out of the vehicle to use the restroom or purchase food, but restrooms will operate at limited capacity and only 10 patrons will be allowed in line at a time. Harvest Moon will have marking to keep people six-feet apart while in line for the restroom or for food. They ask that only one person or a parent and child are in line together.
• Food purchases will also be available through an app that is being developed for Harvest Moon.
• Tickets can also be purchased online. To limit contact, 75-percent of sales will be made online, reserving spots for each vehicle while an additional 25-percent will be available for in-person sales before the show.
• Ticket prices will remain the same at this time. Patrons can upgrade to a “front row” space or pay an additional $5 to bring in food. Harvest Moon will have a scanner as people enter so that the ticket can be scanned on the phone.Adults (12 & up): $7.00Kids (4-11): $6.00Kids under 4: FREE!Only Cash is accepted at the Box Office.
• Food cannot be shared between vehicles. Visiting or congregating between vehicles will also not be permitted. Grilling is not permitted at this time.
• While the Burger Barn and Snack Bar will be open, they will be operating on a limited menu, as vendors are not shipping all items at this time.
• No one will be allowed inside of the snack bar; Harvest Moon will be installing windows to be utilized for food pickup.
• Patrons must wear masks when they get out of the car to get food or use the restroom.
• No pets will be allowed at Harvest Moon at this time, unless they stay in the vehicle at all times.
• It is expected that only one family unit is in a vehicle at a time.
• Popular outdoor spaces, like picnic tables and the children’s area at Harvest Moon will be closed until the state allows for them to be open.
• Harvest Moon will operate one single showings right now, and there will be no intermission during the show. Concessions will remain open 45 minutes into the show.
• Spectators are advised to make sure automatic lights can be switched off while the car is running or the radio is on. Portable radios will not be available at Harvest Moon for the time being, so if lights cannot be switched off while the vehicle is on, please purchase a portable radio to hear the show.
• Trash receptacles will not be available during this time. People need to be prepared to carry out their own trash.
• Patrons cannot throw cigarette butts on the ground, ever, but especially not now. Harvest Moon said people will be ejected from the theater without refund if this happens.

Harvest Moon said that these new guidelines are temporary, but will continued to be followed until the state says otherwise. They ask for patience as the kinks get worked out. 

Features for the week of May 8 include “Trolls World Tour” and “Onward.”