Southington Drive-In Facing Delayed Opening

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Southington Drive-In will not be opening for its regularly scheduled Summer 2020 season, officials said.

The town of Southington, in conjunction with the Plainville-Southington Regional Health District, will re-visit a potential opening for the months of August and September, according to a post on the drive-in's Facebook page. The traditional seasonal opening is in early June.

"As they say in Hollywood - stay tuned," the post stated.

The only community-owned and volunteer-operated theater of its kind in Connecticut, and one of just three open-air cinemas remaining in the state, the drive-in had closed in 2002 after a 47-year run. In early 2010, a group of local volunteers gathered under the auspices of the "Southington Drive-In Committee" to begin the process of reopening the venue.

The committee coordinates all components of the drive-in and operates it separately from the town. The snack bar is run by the Southington High School DECA Club, with all proceeds benefiting the organization and its various activities. It is also supported by local advertisers.

Feature films, ranging from blockbuster classics to more contemporary movies, are usually scheduled on Saturdays through September, plus a Halloween festival.

Each evening is hosted by a different non-profit organization.