Drive-in movies to continue through June

With the Imperial Theatre closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Imperial started showing drive-in movies open to the public.
Starting the third weekend in May, the public was invited each weekend that month to the expo area at the Chase County Fairgrounds.
City Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland said the city has extended the movies through June since the theatre will remain closed for the time being.
“We did this mainly because the theatre downtown won’t be open for awhile,” said Community Development Director Tyler Pribbeno.
Leyland said the theatre could open in June per the Governor’s reopening schedule, but could only operate at 25% capacity.
“That’s like 32 people,” she said. “So it’s hardly worth it for 32 people.”
In addition, the theatre wouldn’t be able to receive any new releases until at least mid-July.
The city does have to purchase the rights to the drive-in films, “so it’s not like there isn’t a cost,” Leyland said.
For the fairgrounds movies, projectionists also have to be paid and popcorn is given away to attendees.
For those reasons, a free-will donation is appreciated to help with costs, she said.
Audio for the drive-in movies is broadcast via FM radio.
“We’ve had a problem with peoples’ car batteries running out,” Leyland said.
Movie viewers can bring portable radios or download radio apps on their smartphones, she added.
Movies for June will include:
June 5-6: Apollo 13­—PG
June 12-13: Jaws—PG
June 19-20: Twister—PG-13
June 26-27: Bourne Identity—PG-13
Leyland is unsure if movies will continue into July.
“Everything’s still up in the air,” she said. “We’ll go through June and then maybe kind of reassess at that time.”