McHenry Outdoor Theater Plans To Open This Weekend

MCHENRY, IL — After announcing it would open and then learning the state would not allow it, the McHenry Outdoor Theater has again gotten the go-ahead to open for the summer season under strict restrictions that will limit the number of vehicles allowed at the drive-in. The theater, located at 1510 N. Chappel Hill Road in McHenry, will open its drive-in this weekend with tentative plans to show The Flinstones and Jurassic Park.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. — though the theater may open up earlier if there are cars lining the road outside the business — and those hoping to catch the movie should not arrive any later than 7 p.m., Scott Dehn, owner of the McHenry Outdoor Theater, wrote on the business's Facebook page.

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With the hopes of helping people adhere to social distancing guidelines set up by the state amide the new coronavirus pandemic, the theater will only allow 350 vehicles instead of its typical maximum of 750 vehicles, according to Dehn. In addition, movie-goers must stay in their vehicle as much as possible.

"You may lay in the bed of your truck or in the back of a van but you may not sit outside of your vehicle," according to Dehn. "If you choose to sit in the bed of your truck or in the back of your vehicle with your hatch open, you must be wearing a face mask."

The theater will have a couple concession carts that will be selling some food and drinks and the restrooms will be open. Those who venture out of their vehicle while at the theater must wear a face mask, according to Dehn.

Tickets can be purchased at the McHenry Outdoor Theater box office. The theater is also putting in place the following guidelines: All employees must wash their hands every 15 to 20 minutes, only one vehicle will be able to park between two speaker poles; and anyone who does not want to use their vehicle's radio should bring one from home since the theater will not be renting radios and speakers on the poles will not be turned on.

The theater, which is typically a pet-friendly business, will not be allowing pets due to its "stay-within-your-vehicle" rule.

The theater will be open just Fridays and Saturdays up through May 23. Following that date, the drive-in will be open seven days a week through the summer.