FAQs & covid-19 information

Please read the information below for all information pertaining to Covid-19 operation changes at the drive-in. As the area moves from different tiers and phases throughout our season, these will be updated to reflect current conditions. 

We are still operating on Phase 5 restrictions, but with some added measures due to the rising cases of the Delta Variant per the local Health Department requirements.

We are now back to full capacity with vehicles parked 2 between the poles for ALL patrons. We will still be offering our ticket sales in two methods. The majority of our designated spaces can be purchased online in advance of the night's showing(up to 75%). We will still have a small percentage(25% or more) available for onsite purchases. You can use either option at your convenience.

No ticket stubs will be handed out during this season still as we work to transition to a new modern ticketing system. Food Permits will be handed out as well as garbage  bags at the booth, but we do not have flyers any longer. Please see our website for all upcoming feature information and policies/menus.

All ticket sales for regular movies and movie events are $8 per person for 12 & older individuals, $7 for children 4-11 years old and children under 4 are admitted free. If bringing in outside food or beverages(or sharing items between vehicles), a $5 food permit will apply to the entire vehicle for movie events and $20 for music events(when allowed per organizer). Grilling is now allowed as long as conditions are ok to do so and there are no complaints form other patrons.

Online sales will follow the following operating procedures: Patrons will select 1 Parking Spot or Reserved Spot from the drop down menu. Afterwards, you will select the number of tickets you need for Adults or Children. If you need more than one parking spot, please select the number of parking spaces needed for your group: Up to 5 spots available per transaction. Other vehicle occupants will be purchased under the same transaction at the other standard Child(Child Ticket 4-11) or Adult(Adult 12 & Older) General Admission prices for everyone in the vehicle. Food permits can be purchased online also for the $5 fee if you plan to bring in food or drink to enjoy with your drive-in experience. These are available in the 'Add-ons' section. Convenience fees & a percentage charge apply to all online orders. We do have a limited number of Reserved Front Row Parking Spaces(10 per screen) for a premium. Those spots are reserved in the front row of each screen and the only reserved parking in the theater.

Our guests can now sit outside, inside or around their vehicle. The only restriction is you must have your chairs & blankets in front of the vehicle(or behind it if you back in to a space to open the hatch). You may NOT put chairs, blankets or other items on the side of the vehicle as all parking is now at 100% capacity and we will need the room on busy nights. There is no saving spots as all parking is 1st come 1st served.

There are no limits on patrons in vehicles, with the exception that they should be wearing a seat belt. No oversize vehicles are allowed on busy nights or special events such as Friday & Saturday nights. (multi-passenger full size vans, limos, bus/minibus, rvs etc.)

Restrooms will operate at regular capacity, however 3' distancing will be required in line. A mask will be required to be worn when in line or in the restrooms regardless if you are fully vaccinated per CDC guidelines and Illinois state mandates.

Our concession stand and Burger Barn will both be open. Patrons must maintain 3' distancing and you must wear masks/face coverings when inside the buildings. The Burger Barn has clearly marked order and pick-up windows. The Snack Bar is now fully open inside the building for your food orders.

Other safety procedures include:

* If you are sick or feeling unwell at all- do not come to the movies! If you have been exposed to Covid-19 and should be in quarantine, DO NOT COME. If you purchased tickets in advance and cannot make it, a credit will be issued for a future date, but you MUST email us prior to your show time and date.

* Play areas under the screens are open with no restrictions. Please use them responsibly.

* Parking will require you to park with 2 vehicles between the sets of poles. We are now back to full capacity and 2 vehicles MUST fit between the poles on Friday, Saturday and Special Event nights.

*If you don't want to purchase concessions and bring your own food- that is okay-- but please help support us by purchasing a $5 per vehicle outside food permit at the time you purchase your movie tickets(either online in the 'add-ons' section or at box office). Permits are on sale as part of each night's movie ticket options. Food permits are $20 per vehicle for music events when outside food is allowed.

Intermissions take place each night depending on the weather(We may not have them in severe weather). This allows you a chance to use the restroom and get food without missing any of the feature as well as charge your vehicle battery by running the car.

Other rules and Guidelines:

Pets are allowed, however pets must be friendly, kept on a leash and cleaned up after.

Grilling is now allowed, but please purchase a food permit at the designated price for the event you are attending. If it is too windy or a fire warning is issued, grilling cannot be allowed still.

Headlights and Exterior lighting must be off during the movie, no exceptions. Please research how to shut off your lights before arriving at the theater. We do rent a limited number of radios each night, but they run out fast due to the demand on busy nights. If you cannot get your lights figured out, please bring a portable radio with you. Sound is broadcast in FM only, apps do not work.

We ask that you take home any trash you have with you when you leave. This is for the safety of our staff and limits cross contamination. We will begin handing them out at the ticket booth beginning Friday 6/11/21. You can also use our garbage cans around the food buildings, the dumpster or our garbage trailer to dispose of trash. DO NOT THROW IT ON THE GROUND!

IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES-- it is our goal to provide our theatre community with a fun movie experience. We will enforce these guidelines and ask for your patience and understanding. Should any patron not follow our guidelines, they will be asked to leave the theatre immediately without refund...This is up to the discretion of lot attendants and management.

Questions can be answered at our office at 815-268-4000.

• Do you still show movies in the rain, storms and snow? Yes. Sometimes the theaters get a little muddy or sloppy, but we show in ALL weather conditions. The only weather reason we will cancel an event or show is due to heavy snow(we can't plow the lot with ramps), dangerous icy roads, severe weather that would imperil our patrons, or if we experience a power outage. 

• When are you open? We are now open for our 2021 season. We are currently open on Friday & Saturday nights only from August 6th on(with the exception of some special events). We have many special events sporadically throughout the year including live concerts, on screen concert and sporting events, our kids carnival, car shows, 80's Flashback, our huge Frightfest celebration, Hot Chocolate & Holiday Movies events and more.

• Should I bring my own battery-operated radio or just use the one in the car? If you are concerned that your car battery will run down, please bring a battery powered, portable FM radio. Apps on phones do not work unless your device has a built in FM antenna.
  
• What time does the gate open? Typically, the gate opens 1 hour prior to show time on most nights. We open around 7:30 pm on Friday, Saturday and all other dates. We also open early on some special features/holidays when large crowds are anticipated.
  
• Can we sit on top of the car or do I need to bring chairs? Please do not sit on top of your car. It's dangerous and blocks other's view of the screen. You are allowed to sit outside your vehicle in chairs or on blankets, as long as you are directly in front of or behind your car depending on how you park facing the screen.

• Do you offer discounts for large groups? We do offer group discounts for larger groups, and are happy to accommodate you. The theater is also available for private rental during the nights we are not open for regular business or special events.(Call for special events or pricing specials for large groups-815-268-4000) 
  
• Can I barbeque while we watch the movie? Yes you can grill, but grills must be extinguished BEFORE the movie is onscreen.
  
• How many movies do I get to watch with my admission? All admissions are for 1 movie per night per ticket, unless we are hosting a special 'Double Feature' event. For 'Double Features' you get to enjoy 2 movies on a single screen for your admission price.
  
• How much is it to get in? Admission: $8 for adults(12 and older) - $7 for children 4 through 11- and children under 4 are free. There will be a very limited number of tickets available at the box office until restrictions are lifted and we recommend booking in advance. Advance tickets have service fees on both ends with our provider.
  
• Are the movie times night shows only or daytime? We show the movies under the great big sky! So, we have to wait until after the sun goes down to see the features. During the majority of the summer this is around 9 pm.
  
• How do we get sound to hear the movies? We have HD digital FM transmitters so you can hear the audio through your car stereo!
  
• Do I have to stay for the entire movie? No, you may leave as you please. However, If you leave the grounds and then plan to come back in, you will be required to pay for another admission due to our insurance policy. 
  
• Can I bring my own food? Yes, bringing in your own food is allowed as long as you purchase a $5 food permit. Please realize the drive-in only survives on our food and snack sales, so we appreciate it if you purchase items from the Snack Bar or Burger Barn during your visit. $1.00 from each Food Permit sale this season is going to benefit St. Jude's and Will Rodgers charities. For groups sharing food between vehicles, EVERY VEHICLE must have a valid food permit displayed in the dash! For special music events, a $20 per vehicle cooler fee is needed to bring in outside food/beverages due to the low % of funds we receive on the ticket sales of those events. ​
  
• What kind of chairs can I bring? Lawn chairs or folding lawn chairs are the best option. We do also rent chairs on a limited basis, however they will not be available for the special Holiday events.
  
• Can I bring a camper to the drive in? Not on weekends or busy events, but we can accommodate smaller ones on Weeknight shows when we are open 7 nights a week.
  
• My car does not have FM radio stations, what can I use to hear the movie? You can bring a portable stereo and get sound that way. All movie audio is fed through a digital high definition FM transmitter. We have radio rentals available on a limited basis. An ID and $3 is required to rent our regular radios or you can get a premium radio for $10. Those are better for larger groups.

• Can I bring out my dog? Yes, however they must also be friendly, on a leash and cleaned up after.
  
• Can I leave the theater to get food/etc? No. Once you enter the theater, you will have to pay admission to re-enter the theater if you leave and come back in. We do offer Pizza in our Snack Bar(slices or entire 12" pizzas) along with dozens of other great items at reasonable prices...

• Can I leave and come back in without being charged again? NO, see above. 

• What is there to do before the movie? Sit around or in your vehicle and socialize with those that you arrived with, tailgate before the movie, and utilize our playground areas under the screens.

• Do you have gift cards? Yes, you must ask to speak to a manager or call our office at 815-268-4000 or visit or 'shop' page.

• Can I purchase tickets before the movie? Yes, as long as you purchase them on our website through the presale ticket app. Be advised that pre-purchased tickets are the only way to guarantee a parking spot. Please follow all ticket guidelines exactly for quick and contactless service.

• Is alcohol allowed? No, but we do not search vehicles.

• If I have van or suv, am  I allowed to back in and open my hatch? Yes, just make sure you stay in your designated parking area and have your hatch level with the roof of the vehicle so it does not block anyone's view of the screen. 

• Can I smoke? NO, smoking is not permitted on the property unless in your vehicle, and only if it does not bother your neighbors. We also have a designated smoking area by our dumpster. Also no butts are to be thrown on the ground due to being a safety hazard to our staff. If you are observed doing this, you will be asked to leave without a refund.

• How early should I arrive? On busy nights such as Friday, Saturday, or special occasions/events, we suggest arriving when the gates open or sooner. We fill up fast once we open our gates on busy nights, and arriving early is the only way to get a good viewing spot. All parking is first come first served even with online sales. Only Reserved Front Row parking spaces are assigned and those are assigned as they are purchased.

• If the lot is full, can I still come in? Yes, we have limited parking outside the theater where you can walk in to sit and watch the movie on lawn chairs. However you must stay in a designated spot with social distancing between you and other groups.

• Is it Cash Only or do you accept credit cards? We take cash only at the box office(no machine out there that will work currently), but do accept credit and debit cards in our snack bar or burger barn. 

• When is show time? The movies start at dusk, once it is dark enough to see them on the screen.