By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Aug. 21, the Friends of Lorenzo (FOL) will present a pop-up drive-in movie night on the front lawn of the Lorenzo State Historic Site.
The gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and the featured film, “Back to the Future” (1985), will begin at 8:30 p.m. (or dusk).
The socially distanced event will also include food trucks, which will be ready to serve at 6:30 p.m.
“The Friends of Lorenzo was focusing on planning community events before COVID hit,” said FOL Board of Trustees Vice President Beth Race. “The only state-approved activity so far has been this pop up movie night, [which] may end up being our only event this year due to the pandemic. This event was approved because it naturally gets people together while safely social distancing . . . We selected the front lawn of Lorenzo as the location because it highlights Lorenzo as a cornerstone of Cazenovia and its roots, while promoting its use for families and residents of our beautiful town.”
According to Race, attendees will be required to wear masks if they leave their vehicles to use the restroom or visit the food truck, and there will be staff on-site to remind people if they forget.
Restrooms will be sanitized after each use and the food lines will be marked to help ensure social distancing.
The movie night will be presented in collaboration with the Brake From The Grind food truck and Gypsy Films CNY — a pop-up, drive-in movie organizer born out of the pandemic.
“As a co-owner of Brake From The Grind Farm to Truck, I was brainstorming on how to adapt to the new business climate,” said Darryl Hogan, who co-owns Gypsy Films CNY with friend Anthony Paciello. “New York State announced that drive-in movies were allowed to operate, and the seed was planted . . . As a mobile business, we have the ability to adapt and set up our screen in places and areas that don’t have a conventional drive-in theater. Working with non-profits gives a chance for us to give back to communities and provide a family friendly night out with a sense of nostalgia. The response to our service has been overwhelming.”
Tickets are available online at eventbrite.com or on the Gypsy Films CNY Facebook page.
The price for online tickets is $20 per car, regardless of the number of people in the vehicle. Online sales will end before the event begins.
“There are a limited number of tickets, so people are encouraged to buy their tickets online early . . .” Race said. “Any additional openings will be filled first-come, first-served at the gate.”
The price for tickets at the gate will be $25 per car (space permitting).
Proceeds from the event will go the FOL.
“The Friends of Lorenzo are an essential partner in the preservation of the State Historic Site and our presentation of high quality community events and educational programs,” said Lorenzo Site Manager Michael Roets. “Whether you are enjoying the finely restored interiors of the mansion, strolling through the formal garden, attending a fieldtrip in the Rippleton Schoolhouse, or sipping wassail at the Christmas at Lorenzo event you are benefiting from their hard work and generosity.”
To learn about becoming a FOL member, visit friendsoflorenzo.org.
