In the 70s, movies like “Grease” romanticized the 50s. There’s even a drive-in movie scene with Danny and Sandy. Some of us have fond memories of putting on our pajamas, grabbing our pillows, and piling into the station wagon for a big night out at the nearest drive-in movie theater. My sister and I played on the swings in pajamas and slippers. We visited the concession stand for buckets of popcorn. We kept asking mom to turn up the volume on the speaker that fit onto the window frame.
One way to recapture that shared experience is to introduce our own kids to the drive-in. It seems almost quaint to long for a shared moment with your entire family; we still can have that experience at one of the drive-In theaters still operating today.
Leicester Triple Drive-in, Mass.
The Leicester Triple Drive-in is a short drive away from Dairy Queen, a local bowling alley, and a Super Walmart. It opened in 1967. The location smartly opens in late April and closes on the last Sunday of August. During spring, from late April through mid-June, movies are shown on Friday and Saturday nights. During the summer, movies are shown seven days a week after dusk.
Unlike the local megaplex cinema, the Leicester Triple Drive-in charges a flat rate of $20 per car. The Leicester Triple Drive-in is located at 1675 Main St., Leicester, Mass. For more information call (508) 892-4400. During season, visit Leicester Drive-in or their Facebook page for a listing of movies.
Vineland Drive-in, Calif.
The Vineland Drive-in is safely tucked away in time. Experience a true drive-in theater experience with the dirt parking lot and four large screens. You won’t have to fumble with heavy speakers, just tune your radio to the right station to receive the Dolby stereo sound. There’s not a bad seat to be found in this well-designed drive-in.
Find the Vineland Drive-in at 43 N. Vineland Ave, City of Industry, Calif. Call the information line at (626) 961-9262 or visit Vineland Drive-in to see what’s playing. Don’t worry about time, movies start at dusk seven days a week. The cost is $9 for ages 9 and up, children ages to 8 pay $3, and children under 5 enter for free.
Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in, Ill.
With a name like Harvest Moon, how could you go wrong? Harvest Moon combines the best of drive-in nostalgia with today’s green technology. They have sound piped in through radio but there are some rows that still have the old-time speakers. The drive-in is “operated sustainably” with 30 percent of the theater’s electricity produced by a 2.4kw turbine on a 50 tower. They also use LED lighting, soy paints and recyclable products.
The Harvest Moon Twin Drive is located at 1123 S. Sangamon Ave., Gibson City, IL 60936. For a current schedule of movies visit Harvest Moon Drive-in. Admission is $6 per person, under four enter for free. They accept only cash and the show goes on regardless of the weather. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 7:15 p.m. on Sunday.
Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre, Lakeland, Fla.
The Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre is the last of its kind in Polk County Fla. It’s been open for more than 60 years and currently features two screens with double features. Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre is located at 4100 New Tampa Hwy., Lakeland, Fla. For more information please call (863) 682-0849 or visit Silver Moon Drive-in. Admission for ages 10 and up is $4, kids ages 4 to 9 pay $1. First-run movies are shown seven nights a week.
Silver Lake Drive-in Theatre, Perry, N.Y.
Silver Lake Drive-in Theatre is more than just a place for a first-run double feature drive-in experience. Charcoal Corral also offers miniature golf, food buffets, Southwest BBQ nights, and holiday dining events. They have and arcade and and event stage. Silver Lake Drive-in Theatre is located at 7037 Chapman Ave., Perry, N.Y. For more information visit CharcoalCorral or call the drive-in at (585) 237-3372.
There are hundreds of other drive-ins that are still open in the U.S. There may be one near you!
Sources
Christian Boggs, “Down at the Drive-In,” Smithsonian Institution Archives
Drive-ins
Drive-in Theatre
DriveinMovie
Personal Experience
Don and Susan Sanders, “The American Drive-in Movie Theater,” MBI Publishing Company
