The University of North Georgia’s Gainesville campus hosted a movie night at the Nesbitt parking garage. As the sun started to set, students gathered for the anticipated newcomer drive-in. The featured film, “A Quiet Place: Day One,” excited many students and the event did not disappoint.  

The event began at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 22, with cars slowly filling the designated spaces. The event coordinators helped direct traffic to the screen. The screen came on, casting light onto the assembled vehicles. Attendees tuned their radios to 90.3 FM to catch the sounds from the movie.  

An ice cream tent stood at the entrance, offering a variety of flavors from basic vanilla to mango popsicles for a dairy-free option. The variety of toppings ensured that there was something for every taste.  

Lizzy Dumitrasçu, a freshman studying psychology, said, “I appreciate local events because they provide an opportunity for students to come together in an area where there’s not much else to do.”  

This was Lizzy’s first time attending an event at UNG, saying, “This was a great way to have fun and ease my way into college.”  

Another attendee, Arley Acosta, a freshman at UNG, said, “I really liked the time and day chosen for the event.” She also expressed that the nighttime setting made the scene even better for the horror movie.  

 “This was a great break during the week for a stress reliever.” – Arley Acosta, UNG freshman 

The Nesbitt parking garage transformed into a communal space for students to connect with each other over a variety of different topics outside of their everyday school schedule. The event allowed students to have privacy and a sense of community, as each car was a personal viewing space while still being in a larger group setting. The event offered a thrilling movie and built a sense of belonging among the newcomers. The drive-in set a high bar for future events, leaving Jacky Galicia, also a freshman at UNG, saying, “This is a great first event and I’m excited to hear when the next movie will be.”

By 10:30 p.m., the event ended. The screen phased out and the cars began to disperse. Students left with smiles on their faces, discussing their reviews of the movie and the overall experience of the event.