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UNICOI — The Town of Unicoi will host a free Halloween drive-in movie at its Tourist Information Center Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at 106 Unicoi Village Place. Sound will be played through FM radio, a costume contest will be held at 7 p.m. and concessions will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“The last drive-in was a big hit with our residents,” said Town of Unicoi Mayor Johnny Lynch. “People are desperate for events right now and this is one that can be done safely.”
Like the September event, the Clinchfield Caboose will support the screen with cars lining up back through the Mountain Harvest Kitchen parking lot, and the feature will be a family-friendly Halloween movie. But one big change from the last movie is the addition of Ambrosound, a local professional audio, video, lighting and staging company.
“We’re excited to partner with Ambrosound for a more professional movie experience this time,” said Communications and Programs Director Ashley Shelton. “Todd and his team do a great job at our festivals and I’m so glad we won’t have to worry about equipment reliability … they’ll handle all that.”
Another difference from September will be the addition of a Halloween Costume Contest to celebrate the season. There will be categories for both children and adults and winners will receive passes to Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium. The contest begins at 7 p.m. and all participants must wear masks. Only contestants are allowed upfront for judging while all guests are asked to remain in their vehicles and “honk” for their favorite costumes. The contest will be live-streamed on the town’s Facebook page so guests in the back may have a “virtual front-row view.”
“We can’t wait to see all the cute and spooky costumes,” said Shelton. “And we hope the adults get creative too! These movie events are all about family fun.”
Concessions will open at 6:30 p.m., and this time hot dogs have been added to the list. Little Caesars Pizza for $1 per slice or $6 for a whole pie will also be available. The Buffalo Pavilion will house the concession stand and food-handling precautions will be taken, including masks and gloves and one person to handle money while another handles food in an effort to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
The movie will start at dark and guests are asked to remain in their vehicles except for restrooms and concessions, and only one person from each car is allowed in the concession line. Masks are required if out of the vehicle and guests are asked to please practice socially distancing. An event map may be viewed on the town’s website in addition to the announcement of which movie will be showing.
Special thanks to drive-in movie sponsors Single Dad Homesteading, Jones and Church Farms, Unicoi Walmart, Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium, The Erwin Record, Unicoi Dollar General and Quick Stop Market in Erwin for their generosity and support of local community events.
For more information or movie title, visit the Town of Unicoi’s Facebook page at facebook.com/townofunicoitn. Information is also available on the town’s website at UnicoiTN.net.
To speak to a coordinator, contact Patricia Bennett at (423) 735-0517 or email questions to recreationaide@unicoitn.net.