Enderby’s Starlight Drive-In closes for the season

After what was no doubt their trickiest season in nearly 20 years, Enderby's Starlight Drive-In has closed for the summer but has announced it'll be back next year.

The Starlight Drive-In showed its last movie for the season Sept. 6.

"Phew, we did it. See you in 2021," reads a sign outside the popular North Okanagan theatre. The theatre's Facebook page gives thanks to everyone who supported them during the modified season.

"We will see you all back here again, as we light up the big screen, in May 2021," reads the post.

The popular drive-in, which has been under the same ownership for the last 18 years had a rough start to the season.

Following pandemic protocols, it originally opened in May but at half capacity of roughly 100 vehicles. but weeks later the rules were tightened up again, and the theatre was forced to reduce its capacity to 50 vehicles. The revenue-making concession stand was also prohibited from opening.

Following the new restrictions, a Change.org petition was launched that quickly gathered thousands of signatures asking for an exemption from the Ministry of Health. By the end of May, rules and regulations had changed again anyway and the concession stand was given the green light to get back up and running.

While the season looked tough for the drive-in, co-owner Brian Smith told iNFOnews.ca Aug. 31 due to "loyal followers and visitors" the cinema was certain to return in 2021.

In August, Readers Digest named the Starlight Drive-In as in the top 11 best drive-in theatres across Canada.

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