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CALERA – LakeHills Church in Calera is offering a drive-in movie experience for an opportunity for local families to get out of the house while maintaining social distancing.

LakeHills Lead Pastor Josh Howell said the first film in the series was shown Friday, May 15, with two more to follow on May 22 and May 29.

“Cars 3” was shown May 15 using two projectors aimed at the side of the church building, with spectators in vehicles parked at least one space apart in the parking lot.

“Trolls” will be shown on May 29, and the selection for the series finale is “Frozen.”

“We just look for something that has a good story, good music, and is easy for adults to enjoy and kids to keep their attention,” Howell said.

The church has an FM transmitter, so each vehicle’s radio dial can be tuned to 90.5 to hear the movie’s audio.

Each Friday night also features a different food truck.

Dixieland Funnel Cakes pleased attendees on May 15, while Gimme Some Sugar will offer its dessert items on May 22 and Ivory LeShore’s Gourmet Bread Pudding and Cheesecakes will be on-site May 29.

Howell said his family enjoyed fried Moon Pies from Dixieland Funnel Cakes.

“It was just nice to get out of the house and do something fun for the kids,” he said. “I think some people still have some apprehension about getting out, but the experience went well.”

The films start at dusk, but the parking lot opens at 7 p.m. so that attendees can come early for food, if they wish.

Anyone wishing to attend should RSVP at the church’s website, LakeHillsCalera.org, because the number of parking spaces is limited, especially since vehicles are being spaced out.

Perhaps the most significant attraction to the event for church regulars is seeing friends after an extended absence.

“We’re just wanting to use this as a way to ease people back into a routine of gathering together,” Howell said and added that LakeHills will resume in-person worship services on June 7. “It was nice to see a friendly face even if it was from a car space away.”