Wellesley converted the Tailby parking lot into a drive-in movie theatre on Monday night, inviting first responders to take in locally filmed “Knives Out” in the fresh air. A series of 10 more Mobile Movie nights will be held, including what look to be sold-out shows Tuesday and Wednesday (you can register for future movies via the Recreation Department up to 5 days in advance).

I kind of feared that first responder night would mean lots of monster trucks filling the lot (based on the rigs I’ve seen parked at the police and fire stations) and making it tough for people in the back rows to see anything. But the 40-foot inflatable screen, which would have served as a fun after-party trampoline back in the day if laid down in the lot, was easy to see from any space.

Young parking attendants did a good job socially distancing vehicles, keeping the two dozen or so cars and trucks from being too close and making sure nothing would scratch the sweet black convertible in the front row.

It definitely felt like summer, with temperatures still in the 80s after dusk and attendees relaxing in truck beds and popping out of the top of vehicles.

I didn’t stick around for the movie myself, leaving a bit after 8:45pm when it was set to start (turns out The Artist might have been a better movie choice that night in light of audio difficulties that were worked out by the second night of the series). I had just watched the film a couple of weeks ago and didn’t want to blurt out any spoilers.

Plus, I actually have a hard time spending any more time than I need to in that lot, having lost several days or weeks of my life waiting for late commuter rail trains at the Wellesley Square station over the years.

Having said that, I might be tempted to check out one of the later offerings in the line-up to take part in Wellesley’s spirited attempt to provide summer fun for residents. The entertainment comes courtesy of collaboration across numerous town organizations with funding from the Kiwanis Club and Community Fund for Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund.

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Wellesley’s Recreation Department and Youth Commission has released its mobile movie schedule and reservation system information for perhaps the town’s most anticipated event of the summer (due to some sort of licensing rules, the town isn’t allowed to call this a drive-in movie theatre).

The schedule will run from July 27-Aug. 31, and movies will be shown at the Tailby parking lot (commuter rail lot) in Wellesley Square. The first night is set aside for first responders (Knives out will be shown that night and for the last movie of the schedule).

Only Wellesley residents are allowed to reserve spots at the movies, which are offered free of charge. Families and individuals can only reserve a spot for one movie per week, and must pre-register no more than five days in advance. Movies will start at 8:45 pm, and attendees are requested to show up by 8:15pm.

Attendees should review the rules ahead of time. No really, you need to, because there are a ton of them. You’ll learn the requirements about where to park, how not to kill your car battery while listening to the movie (audio comes through something called an “FM radio”), rules about coming and going (no restrooms provided), etc. Note: You have to stay in your vehicle, so no folding chairs.

Registration opens Thursday at 9am the week before movies, so mark your calendar for July 23 if you want to get in for the first week of movies.

Wellesley has released the line-up for its much anticipated Mobile Movie Nights program. The town isn’t technically allowed to call them drive-in movies due to some silly licensing rules, but viewers will be watching the films on a big screen from their vehicles, which they will drive in to a parking lot, so…

The town says scheduling and reservation details will be released next week. Free reservations will be offered through the Recreation Department, and shows will take place July 28 through Aug. 31 at the Wellesley Square Tailby commuter rail lot.

Coming attractions are: Knives Out (called it! filmed partially in Wellesley & Natick), Minions, Mean Girls, Trolls, Shrek, The Hunger Games, Missing Link, Sing, Jurassic Park, The Great Escape, and Harriet. So family fare, some new, some old. A good mix.

The town has partnered on the program with local non-profit organizations and businesses. The presenting sponsor is the Kiwanis Club of Wellesley, with additional sponsorship provided by the Community Fund for Wellesley COVID-19 Relief Fund, and Deland Gibson Insurance Associates.

The program is supported by many Town departments including the Wellesley Free Library, Wellesley Municipal Light Plant, Youth Commission, and Recreation Department. Mobile Movie Nights will be staffed by members of the Wellesley Green Shirts youth employment group.