By Jacqueline Sweet, Patch Staff
SAYVILLE, NY — Drive-in theaters are staging a comeback in the time of the new coronavirus. The Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce announced that they are planning a pop-up drive-in theater for this summer. The theater may open as early as June and will start as an event lasting one weekend, and will hopefully continue on longer, according to Eileen Tyznar, the president of the Sayville Chamber, depending on approval from the town of Islip.
Tyznar said the location is not being disclosed until permits are approved. The vision for the pop-up theater is classic old-fashioned drive-in style: a parking lot for cars, a giant screen playing recently released films on weekend showings and audio available on a radio station. Tyznar suggested on the Sayville Happenings Facebook page that efforts are also underway to see if Sayville’s high school graduation could be played at the pop-up theater.
Gov. Cuomo added drive-in theaters to the list of businesses allowed to open soon, in a news conference this week. The Sayville showings will be capped at a capacity to allow for social distancing.
Proceeds from the showings will go toward the Savville Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Sayville Small Business Relief Fund.