Free Drive-In Movie For County Residents At Smith Point

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County's free summer drive-in movie series kicks off on Saturday, June 20 at Smith Point County Park with a showing of "Jaws."

Discussing the launch of the summer movie series during his press briefing Tuesday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said the date marks the 45th anniversary of the film's release.

Tickers are free, limited to Suffolk County residents, and mobile only; each ticket permits one vehicle. Drivers must be wearing a face covering when checking in at the gate and have a cell phone with the Eventbrite QR code ready to be scanned.

The parking lot opens at 7 p.m. for the show and closes by 8:10 p.m.

All vehicles will be spaced 6-feet apart minimum, on a first come, first served basis by the direction of parking staff. Once parked, guests must stay in their cars. All audience members must stay inside their vehicles at all times.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase at Smith Point from Tiki Joe's.

Reservations for the free event opened up on Tuesday. To reserve a spot, click here. Tickets are first come, first served and space is limited. However, Bellone said, staff onsite will hold spots up until a certain point and if there are no-shows, people can fill spots not taken.

"To see a classic movie at the beach is pretty cool," Bellone said. "It's an exciting event and one of the things we are trying to do to provide for families during a summer unlike any other. We're trying to make things as normal as we can and enjoy summer as we battle COVID-19."

Other drive-in movie nights will follow; details will be released as they become available.

Numbers remain positive

Meanwhile on Tuesday, just as Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that visitation would begin soon at hospitals and group homes — the state is still reviewing next steps with nursing homes — Bellone said the numbers "continue to remain in a positive place."

Out of 4,800 individuals tested on Monday for coronavirus in Suffolk County, 46 were positive, Bellone said, or just below 1 percent. The total number of positive coronavirus cases now reported in Suffolk County stands at 40,738, he said.

As of the 24-hour period recorded on June 14, hospitalizations went down by six to a total of 121; the number of patients in ICU beds remained the same, Bellone said.

There are 3,043 hospital beds in Suffolk County, with 1,117 available, or 62 percent; of 576 ICU beds, 244, or 58 percent, are available, Bellone said.

Eight patients went home over the past 24 hours and two additional lives were lost, bringing the county's death toll to 1,957.