Dennis Koper, the owner of Waterford's Sunset Drive In, has been patiently waiting for the green light to open his venue for the 2020 season. 

Typically, the theater opens sometime in the beginning of April. But in a year where nothing is typical, Koper began to get frustrated as the calendar turned to May and he still wasn't able to open. 

Finally, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said in a press conference last week that drive in movie theaters would be allowed to open, as long as customers and employees practice social distancing. 

So Koper turned to the theater's Facebook page to announce the drive in will open this Friday, May 15. 

The theater will be showing The Vast of the Night, presented by Amazon. According to the theater's Facebook post, only one movie will be shown this Friday and Saturday.

Admission will be 50 cents per person. The theater will not be open this Sunday. 

Over the weekend of May 22, the theater will resume a normal schedule of two movies shown over three days. 

As with any businesses reopening amid the pandemic, there are changes customers will have to get used to. The theater's Facebook page mentions the following rules being implemented to be in compliance with current public health guidelines:

  • Snack bar will be closed. Bring you own snacks and drinks
  • Limited restrooms. One person at a time, enforced by staff. Disinfecting will occur ever half hour
  • Masks required at the ticket booth and anytime you leave your car
  • Kids must stay inside vehicles. No running around and playing will be permitted

The Facebook post also asks drive in patrons to follow the rules so it can stay open and eventually return to normal operations.

At this time, the Sunset Drive In Flea Market will not be reopening. Koper says he does not know when it will be allowed to reopen.