As a young girl, I recall my brother and I gathering up old blankets, fold-up chairs, and a lot of bug spray before meeting up with our cousins who provided the big flatbed truck and frisbees. We all crammed into two vehicles and fought over who would get the best seat in the bed of the truck. Usually, I would get it because the boys were out playing frisbee and running amok under the big white screen with the rest of the kids in town before the trailers started rolling. We would have to beg our parents to give us each $5 to blow on nachos, hotdogs, or any overly sweet candies that we definitely didn’t need but wanted anyway. It was all a part of the experience. An affordable experience for all.
Starlite Drive-In in State College, PA opened in 1950, sold in ‘07, and was officially shut down in ‘08. The last movie I recall seeing was a sold-out show of Spiderman where we were left to park across the main road to get a glimpse of the show. It was the last memory I have of our fun summer entertainment that I haven’t been able to replicate… just yet.
Without needing to say, social distancing has ravished any chance of going to the theaters anytime soon. But I have found hope. This weekend, my fiance and I found the only drive-in theatre in Pittsburgh, Dependable Drive-In, which was also built in 1950 during a time when families needed a reason to get out of the house and show off their new Ford Crestliner. The Drive-In was the answer. Entertainment for the kids and a humble-brag for their parents. Fast forward, give or take, 70 years, we are yearning, yet again, for the drive-in theatre.
My fiance and I gathered our blankets, slipped into some comfy clothes, and anticipated a date night out watching a sci-fi film and indulging in some not-so-healthy concessions fair. Unfortunately, when we drove up to the entrance, Dependable Drive-In was already at capacity. It had actually hit capacity, according to their Facebook page, hours prior to the performance time, but we thought to ourselves that it was probably better than the limited space was taken up by young families itching to get out of the house to watch Trolls 2 or The Vast of Night.
Regardless, it gave my fiance and I a 30 min car ride home of discussion of what used to be and what could be. We both realized that Drive-In theatres were an integral, memorable aspect of our childhood and hope to have the same experience with our *future* children. We also thought that it would be a fun, inexpensive activity with our friends where we can carpool and enjoy a relaxing summer evening.
I foresee a serious resurgence of drive-in theatres. We have already noticed the popularity and growth in countries such as Germany and a potential market in Latin America where drive-in theatres are currently non-existent. We realize that the barrier to entry can be high – procuring outdoor projectors, a screen(s), FM transmitter, concessions, labor, etc. – but we see so much potential. Not only can we see a space for performances, but a flex space to include outdoor restaurants, a place to watch football games during the day, music venue, interactive games space.
How do we get there? We already have innovators changing the game with proposals to invite diverse crowds, now you need a solution to compliment your flex space. Find out how our solution can help launch you into the 21st century. Let’s get to the future together!
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