When's the last time, if ever, you've enjoyed a movie night at a drive-in theatre?

Cochranites are being treated to this now unique experience on Saturday, June 6 in the parking lot of the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre.

The Young Professional Rotary Club of Cochrane is spearheading "Movie Under the Stars" in conjunction with many community partners to give residents a special treat in this COVID-19 world while supporting the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank. 

Club president Ryan Baum says this is the first major event of the recently-founded club. It also supports their goal of helping the Activettes complete the food bank expansion.

"This is about lifting the spirits of the community," says Baum. "This is an opportunity to bring the community together in a unique time that we've never been through before, and hopefully we can lift the spirits of the community."

While there is no charge to enjoy the movie night, people are asked to bring nonperishable items for the food bank. Pickup trucks will be located near the gate where people can place their donations. The club is also launching a Go-Fund-Me page shortly.

Gates will open at 8:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 9:30. It's estimated the lot will hold 300 vehicles. Vehicles arriving will go through a gate and be directed to a spot. They'll use their vehicle's radio to tune into the movie's audio.

The family sports centre has stepped up to provide space for the event. It falls just after the SLSFSC agreed to donate the use of their parking lot to ensure the Cochrane Farmers' Market could continue this summer.

"In order to energize this community again, we're involved with this group of individuals and we're looking forward to it on behalf of the food bank and the Activettes," says SLSFSC CEO Blair Felesky.

Organizers stress there will not be any porta-potties or washroom facilities available on site. It's been the same at other similar drive-in events held elsewhere during the pandemic.

"We understand these drive-in theatres have worked elsewhere and they also did not have porta-potties but they were extremely successful," says Dan Kroffat, one of the organizers. "So we're really looking at staging one of Canada's biggest events with this drive-in theatre."

Sponsorships are welcomed. The names and insignias of companies and organizations contributing to the event will appear on the screen in advance of the movie. A recorded message from Mayor Jeff Genung will also be shown.

Should the movie night prove a success, another one is being considered this summer.