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Awards of Distinction Finalist Spotlight: Family Entertainment

Date Published: May 27, 2020

What about your business / organization is inspiring to you?

Four Brothers Drive In Theatre: We are ever changing and adapting the way movie goers can experience an American past time. We took a big risk in "making something old, new again" in bringing back a drive in for the future. Every season we grow closer to our vision and goal of adding another dimension to our theatre, improving the experience, and giving people a place to come together in a cultural way where there is something for everyone to enjoy. The daters, the families, the couples, kids, adults, and grandparents alike. It's a happy place, a place that feels like vacation, and it's done in light of the American way - where everyone can experience movies under the stars. Uniquely we have added a lot of technology where guests with disabilities can also enjoy our theatre, seamless tickets bought online, food delivered to your car, electric car charging, a fire pit, camping for overnight stays, an airstream hotel camper to stay overnight, live music, events, a food truck, and beyond.  We wanted to build a place where everyone can come together to enjoy a dimensional experience that makes people happy, feel something special, and gives people a place to make memories. That's the hardest thing to do that money can't buy, and that's where the magic is on our end, where we put our mind, logic, and hearts together to bring ideas that will make people feel something wonderful when they are here.  

Sinterklaas! An Old Dutch Tradition in the Hudson Valley: The joy and wonder that it brings forth in children and their families! 

Greig Farm: As a third-generation farmer, I am very much inspired by the opportunity to continue to create something that can be shared across the generations. I most enjoy customers who were here as kids bringing their kids out to pick in our fields.

How is your business / organization handling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Four Brothers Drive In Theatre: We had been operating with take out food service and showing the movie in a highly adapted way to deal with COVID-19. We had offered tickets to be bought online, food ordered online and delivered to vehicles, and no one was to leave their vehicle - only for restroom breaks, in an effort to manage guest safety and well being. We had protocols in place to make sure that guests did not violate any guidelines and if they did they would be asked to leave. We operated with many restrictions and while the experience was not typical guests were extremely satisfied to at least experience some entertainment.  We kept staff on payroll and worked in improving our operations behind the scenes, planned events for the summer, performed maintenance on our grounds, and worked on backend systems that would better the guest experience (such as a new rewards system, brand new projection equipment, and more). It has been quite difficult dealing with such limitations imposed by state and federal mandates, but we are very pleased with customer reception and that we were able to help provide entertainment and some sanity. 

Sinterklaas! An Old Dutch Tradition in the Hudson Valley: We are going ahead with plans in the hopes that we will be able to do it in December 2020. We are making puppets, planning wonderful performances and special treats for everyone.

Greig Farm: In terms of our farm market, we made changes right away on March 16th to put the entire inventory of our store online and strongly encourage people to shop online. We offer contactless curb-side pick-up and delivery within a 15-mile radius of our farm. Senior citizens can still shop at the market in person providing they follow all the guidelines to keep the market safe for grocery shopping. With regards to the farm, we are still offering pick-your-own. With 100 acres of farmland, people can easily remain 6’ apart. It’s asparagus season right now and we have contactless check-in and check-out. Procedurally, we are asking people to wear masks and have designed “swim lanes,” assigning people to specific rows to help maintain proper distance.

What are your hopes for the future of travel in Dutchess County?

Four Brothers Drive In Theatre: Most of our visitors have traveled from out of Dutchess County to visit our theatre. They find it to be very unique with its setup, grounds, and venue like operations and worth the drive from over 100 miles away. Our hopes are to continue to create a unique environment and experience for guests to keep enjoying what we are offering. We have put a heavy investment in our infrastructure this year to sustain our growth, and have focused on really taking our schedule, events, and business to the next level. Our vision has always been to be a place where guests can come together and we find that Dutchess County is now becoming more and more popular because businesses such as ours are creating demand and meeting the demands of guests that visit here. We hope that Dutchess County continues to innovate and provide the support for businesses to grow and adapt.  We hope that people continue to travel to Dutchess County and enjoy all it has to offer. We are happy to see its growth, its popularity, and how the infrastructure is growing to meet those demands. We feel that with all the creative businesses operating and growing, that travel continues to grow into DC and grows local economy. We are enjoying the support and love!

Sinterklaas! An Old Dutch Tradition in the Hudson Valley: To continue to welcome everyone from everywhere!  

Greig Farm: It’s complicated, but northern Dutchess is such a beautiful place with plenty of wide-open spaces. We hope people will continue to come to the farm to enjoy it.

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