MASC Hospitality Group is intent upon turning the Yankee Stadium parking lot into a drive-in carnival this summer amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With baseball on hold — and even when it starts it’s likely to do so without fans — there’s a chance the Yankees’ parking lot transforms into a space for folks to congregate in their cars to watch movies, listen to live music and experience car-side food service from local New York vendors.
Marco Shalma, the organizer for the event, is trying to make it happen, and he has dubbed it the Uptown Drive-in Experience with hopes of launching it July 4 and having it run through August. But the biggest hurdle is ensuring the event is compliant with city regulations.
Here’s a look at some of the logistics, per USA TODAY:
“Tickets – which will be charged per vehicle – are not yet on sale as final details, dates and partnerships are still being worked out.”
“… How will it all work? Uptown Drive-In will have a vehicle reservation system, require cars to park 10 feet apart, feature giant movie screens, provide live music streamed through car radios and have sanitized restrooms available, Shalma says.”
This is a valiant effort at the new normal, if they can make it safe. Maybe there won’t be any summer concerts. Maybe there won’t be any open movie theaters. And maybe restaurants will feel radically different, if they’re open. But perhaps this nostalgic experience — with a modern twist — could be a wholesome way for people to get out of the house and do their best to socialize.
I love the idea of pulling up to a reserved spot next to your friends, and chatting, whether at a safe distance, by phone or (in honor of the Yankees) with hand signals. (Just don’t touch your face or mask!) And though a drive-in theater may not be the most practical way to watch a movie, it’s a fun concept and, frankly, it’s something to do when there isn’t much else.
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