If your family is getting a bit stir crazy dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Manteca Recreation & Community Services as well as Crossroads Grace Church may have the perfect outing.
They are teaming up for a free double-feature drive-in movie night at the church’s parking lot on Moffat Boulevard on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The movie “Cars” starts at 6 p.m. followed by “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” at 9:30 p.m.
You can watch the free movies from your car or socially distanced in your own lawn chair. The event area opens at 5 p.m. Admission to the free movies is on a first-come, first-served basis.
COVID-19 safety guidelines will be enforced. Those not following these rules will be asked to leave.
* Do not attend if you are ill.
* Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others.
* All guests must stay with the vehicle/ bubble they arrive with. You may sit outside of your vehicle within your parking spot or in the designated area; masks are recommended.
*Vehicles must park in the open parking spaces as directed by staff.
*Large SUVs and trucks will be directed toward the sides or back to allow for better viewing. No buses or RVs allowed.
*Masks required when using restrooms.
* You may bring your own food and refreshments. (Please keep your area cleaned).
* Tune into the FM radio station provided at check.
The drive-in movies on Oct. 17 are just one of the many ways the City of Manteca Recreation & Community Services has tried to keep people engaged during the pandemic.
While most have been virtual activities, the Manteca Rec effort has been slowly bringing back what in-person activities they can with social distancing in mind.
They have offered a modified Kids Zone at several elementary campuses for youth whose parents work. It has allowed them a placed to attend distance learning classes with supervision as well as participate in pre and after school activities.
Two drive thru trunk
or treat events planned
The city will be staging a free drive-thru trunk or treat on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane. It will be in place of the Safe Halloween downtown event that has been staged for more than 20 years.
The Manteca Chamber of Commerce is also working to make sure trick or treating in a modified form can take place this year given COVID-19 rules as outlined by the California Department of Public Health. Just like the Centers for Disease Control, the state agency lists traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door or having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out of cars lined up in large parking lots as high risk Halloween activities.
The chamber is conducting a free drive thru trick or treat in connection with a separate drive thru dinner on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 1463 Moffat Blvd. in the Manteca Commerce Park near the Crossroads Community Church.
The chamber is looking for sponsors at $50 apiece to have tables for the event as well as to supply candy for their tables. The sponsors will receive two dinner tickets.
While there is no charge for those driving through the trick or treat line, there is a $15 charge for dinner that will be distributed from as second line.
The Fagundes catered dinner includes tri-tip, chicken pasta marinara, California mixed vegetables as well as a roll and butter for $15 a ticket.
Both events take place Oct. 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Kids are encouraged to be in costume.
Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/drive-thru-dinner-trick-or-treat –tickets-118377001799.
