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| ZipCar drive-in at Candlestick Park |
The Drive-in
The first drive-in opened in June of 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. In the 1950's, there were over 4000 Drive-in movie theaters across the USA. Today, this number has dwindled to about 350 nationwide. The multiplex theater, real estate prices and home video sales are thought to have lead to closures.
The drive-in is a part of Americana.
Classic Drive-in
Classic Drive-ins do still exist! I took my son to experience one near our home in the Bay Area. We backed up the station wagon (yes, we still have one), opened the up back and sat back to watch Man of Steel. The picture was great and the audio over our speakers was crisp and clear. Staff were friendly and the snack and movie admission was cheaper than the local multiplex. West Wind theaters are located around California in Concord, San Jose, Sacramento and Santa Barbra.American Icon Celebration
Macy's recently celebrated the Drive-in across the nation during their salute to American Icons. They used a variety of screening venues such as classic drive-in theaters, movies in the park, popup drive-ins in the Macy's parking lot and even Union Square in San Francisco. The Drive-In is An American Icon!
Popup Drive-in
Odette Estate has re-imagined the drive-in for the wine crowd with their Secret Cinema drive-in. Clues for the movie selection are placed on social media in the week leading up to the event. Food truck dinners, fine wine and the drive-in make secret cinema a cool movie going experience! Check out their video.
The Urban Drive-in
Mobile Movie (aka MobMov) is taking the drive-in to a warehouse wall near you! Armed with a projector and an FM transmitter, MobMov finds a wall to project on and then through word of mouth and social media gets the word out for a spontaneous take on the Drive-in http://mobmov.org/. Can't get enough of the Urban Drive-in, check out Santa Cruz Guerilla Drive-in.
The Driveway Drive-in
Over the July 4th holiday, outfitted with a driveway, a laptop, a projector, an FM transmitter and an old bed-sheet we made our own Driveway drive-in. The kids loved it and asked to do it again the next night. Why not, we were on holiday!
Sounds like fun? You will need :
- A wall or bed-sheet
- A projector
- FM Transmitter
- Laptop
- Inverter
(If you truly want to be mobile)
Whether it is first run movies at WestWind theaters, or recreating the magic in your own driveway, the drive-in makes an amazing summer activity. Treat your family to some Americana this summer!
Long Live the Drive-in!
Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy
See our cardboard box drive-in
