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UNICOI — The Town of Unicoi will host its last free drive-in movie of the year Saturday, Nov. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tourist Information Center located at 106 Unicoi Village Place. Sound will be played through FM radio, concessions will open at 5:30 p.m., a surprise visitor will arrive at 6 p.m. and the Christmas movie will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“To finish up the year with a heart-warming Christmas favorite will give guests a little bit of hope,” said Town of Unicoi Mayor Johnny Lynch. “Despite the pandemic, the holiday season is still about family and believing in the magic of the season.”
Like past events, the Clinchfield Caboose will support the screen with cars lining up back through the Mountain Harvest Kitchen parking lot and event sponsor Ambrosound, a local professional audio, video, lighting and staging company, will handle all projection and audio. Organizers also tease that someone from the movie will make a surprise appearance during the festivities and have a special gift for every child.
“I can give a little hint that the movie involves a train,” said Communications and Programs Director Ashley Shelton. “Which will be a lot of fun since we’re showing it at the caboose. We definitely have some movie-themed surprises planned.”
“We’ve really enjoyed the drive-in movies this year and we can’t wait for the Christmas-themed version,” said Candice Jones, local Unicoi resident, mother of two and a winner of the Halloween Costume Contest held at the October movie. “It’s been hard with COVID keeping so many things either closed or canceled, so these events have been a rare source of fun for our family.”
Concessions will include hot dogs, nachos and cheese, hot chocolate, cookies and more. The Doug Hopson Buffalo Pavilion will house the concession stand and food-handling precautions will be taken, including masks and gloves and one person to handle money while another handles food in an effort to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
The movie will start at dark and guests are asked to remain in their vehicles except for restrooms and concessions, and only one person from each car is allowed in the concession line.
Masks are required when guests are out of the vehicle and everyone is asked to please practice social distancing. An event map may be viewed on the town’s website in addition to the announcement of which movie will be showing.
Special thanks to drive-in movie sponsors Single Dad Homesteading, Jones and Church Farms, Reinhart Food Services, Unicoi Walmart, The Erwin Record, Unicoi Dollar General and Erwin McDonalds for their generosity and support of local community events.
For more information or movie title, visit the Town of Unicoi’s Facebook page at facebook.com/townofunicoitn. Information is also available on the town’s website at UnicoiTN.net. To speak to a coordinator, contact Patricia Bennett at (423) 735-0517 or email questions to
recreationaide@unicoitn.net.