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Driving-in for Fast Five

Aug 11, 2011 | 12:08 PM

Prince Albert movie goers will get a chance to experience an almost authentic drive in.

The Prince Albert Downtown Improvement District Association (PADIDA) is taking another shot at playing “Fast Five” after it was rained out last month at the Cinema 4 Change screening in Memorial Square.

This time the inflatable screen will be in the city’s largest downtown parking lot — on top of the Gateway Mall.

To eliminate weather woes it will be a drive-in movie, said James Banman, PADIDA manager.

“I think it is just perfect timing since the Pines Drive-in just got torn down,” he said.

“It’s something that I think people miss.”

The movie, which hasn’t made it to DVD yet, should appeal to a wide audience, he said.

“I think there is (nostalgia) in P.A., really it is a thing of the past. It’s something that some of us have been to. It’s something that our parents have defiantly been to and told us about.”

The Gateway Mall roof, which normally holds 750 cars, will take 150 for the event on a first-come-first-serve basis. As soon as the roof is full no more cars will be allowed up.

“We’ve had just incredible feedback from the public. When I say drive-in they just go ‘are you serious, like for free, are you serious can I come,’” he said.

“People are just excited about this and it is something that I think we will definitely do in the future, and there is always other options if we find that we have too many people come. Next year we can definitely expand it and try to make it bigger than ever.”

There will be popcorn and A&W root beer for sale on site with all profits going to the Prince Albert Literacy Network.

Admission is free and the movie starts at 9 p.m. Friday.

“It’s just a great family experience where you load up the car with all your family, goodies, munchies, whatever you need and spend a great evening watching a movie together,” Banman said.

klavoie@panow.com