PenMet Parks brings back the drive-in. But bring your own popcorn.

Pack up the kids, the drive-in movie is back.

It’s necessity, not nostalgia, that’s bringing back this almost-lost American institution, according to PenMet Parks, which is showing “The Lion King” Thursday night at a former golf driving range.

Restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Peninsula Metropolitan Park District to curtail its summertime “Movies in the Park” series, which usually draws 150 to 200 kids and their families, said Kelly Darling, the district’s special events coordinator.

“Trying to find an alternative, we settled on a drive-in event,” she said. “We looked at all our properties, and chose the former driving range, because it can accommodate the largest number of cars.”

The old Performance Golf Center at 2416 14th Ave N.W. is the site of a proposed community recreation center. It was purchased by the park district last year.

The greens turned out to be perfect for holding about 50 cars, and the existing building will provide a backdrop for the screen. Sound will be piped by an FM transmitter directly to car radios.

The show tonight, which begins at 8:30 p.m., is already sold out. But a second show, featuring “The Goonies,” is set for August 27. Admission will be $20 per vehicle. Other screenings are planned for Halloween and Christmas seasons.

There are a few rules. No leaving your vehicle, except to use the restrooms. No sitting in truck beds.

And, unfortunately, no popcorn, unless you bring your own.

“There won’t be any concessions,” said Chuck Cuzzuto, the district spokesman. “But we’ll be giving out ‘cub packs’ of snacks to kids.”

The rule against sitting in truck beds may go away for later showings, Cuzzuto said, but for now the district is playing it safe.

Darling said the revival of drive-in movies is “the latest event trend in parks and recs nationwide,” as park managers struggle with distancing rules.

“It’s really exciting that it’s coming back,” she said. “Especially for the older parents, who have such fond memories of nights at the drive-in. Now they get to introduce their own kids to the experience.”

This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 9:00 PM.