Amenia Drive-in is back in business

AMENIA — After working to a signage compromise with the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Amenia Drive-in celebrated opening night of its second full season in business on Friday, May 1.The outdoor movie theater screened two new films, “Cinderella” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Titles will change every Thursday. Besides movies, the business offered a variety of entertainment for the night and, according to co-owner John Stefanopoulos, will do so all season long.Visitors enjoyed live songs by local musician Josh Driver before the films began at sunset.Stefanopoulos said live music — by way of local solo artists and bands — will precede movies on weekend nights this year.Moviegoers could stop at a face-painting table and dine at the theater’s concession stand, with a menu including burgers, hotdogs, popcorn, ice cream and more.Of course, there was also dining at the adjacent Four Brothers restaurant — owned by the Stefanopoulos family — at 4957 Route 22.The restaurant’s outdoor patio has clear sightlines of the 56-by-32-foot screen; tables may request portable radios to tune into the movie sound.Those who literally drive in pay $9 a person ($8 for seniors and vets, $5 for ages 5 to 10, free for the youngest) for at least two new releases that begin at sunset. Customers may also walk up without cars. The drive-in is open seven days a week and does not have a car minimum.Stefanopoulos said the business will regularly throw in a third title, including classics and independent features.The car-park lawn can hold 125 vehicles. Guests can tune in and order food from their cars or watch under the stars as main speakers project sound.On opening night, one Millbrook family took advantage of the lawn to play Frisbee before showtime.“We’ve been coming here since it opened,” said CJ Lacasse. “I grew up in Hyde Park and used to go to the drive-in there.”“I couldn’t believe it when they were constructing it, I was ecstatic,” he said.“It’s nice to be able to come and play catch,” added CJ’s son Andrew.Andrew and his brother, Alex, said they also enjoyed thepizza, ice cream and milkshakes.New this year is an electric car charging station — the first in Amenia and the first at an American drive-in, Stefanopoulos said.The charging station is engineered by Blink, free to use and serves one vehicle at a time. Drivers can check availability of the station through Blink’s mobile application.“We want to help build out the infrastructure for electric vehicles,” Stefanopoulos said, noting the addition is an environmentally friendly one for the Amenia community.Stefanopoulos admitted the initiative is also a business move.“We thought it was a great idea … if you’re going to sit and charge your car for a couple of hours, this way you can watch a movie,” he said.Also new, the business plans to collaborate with FarmOn! Foundation, a Copake-based nonprofit, to bring agricultural education programs for drive-in patrons this summer.For movie listings and information about special events, go to www.playeatdrink.com.