Video: Starlite Returns To Carload Pricing

Yesterday afternoon’s Wichita Eagle had good news for drive-in fans there. After a year of selling tickets per person, the Starlite Drive-In Theatre will return to carload pricing during the spring and fall seasons. The Starlite is scheduled to reopen on the first weekend of March.

Owner Chuck Bucinski had switched to selling individual tickets because movie studios wanted it that way. He’ll still be doing that during the summer months, but otherwise it’ll cost $13 per carload for whatever’s showing, though the selection may be affected by the pricing model. “There will be a few studios while on carload pricing we won’t be able to show their movies right when they get released,” Bucinski said.

That’s the whole story, and I’m happy to share it with you. Not only does it give me the opportunity to repeatedly type “carload,” it also includes a very nice little video from the Eagle. It should bring a smile to your face as you wait for full drive-in season to return.

Video: Construction May Begin Soon On Graham NC Drive-In

The couple that owns the indoor theater in Graham NC says that they’ll soon be able to break ground on a new drive-in there. Sitting on a 34-acre lot just north of the interstate, the I-40 Drive-In will have room for about 1000 cars watching five screens, plus a restaurant, a playground, and mini golf.

Jennifer and Chuck Talley announced the project last March, as shown in the embedded video above from WFMY, Greensboro’s News Leader. (By the way, that’s a fine video if you were ever curious what a drive-in looks like before they break ground for it.) Back then, they had hoped it would be ready to open this spring. However, the Burlington Times-News reported this week that progress had been slowed by land preparation issues.

Chuck Talley told the News Leader that the drive-in had to have proper facilities to handle water drainage. “We’re making sure we have the retaining ponds and other things in place,” he said. Groundbreaking is now expected to take place this spring, followed by “six to eight months” of construction.

When the Triad Business Journal interviewed Jennifer Talley in March, she said the plan was inspired by Martin Murray, a co-owner of Graham’s indoor theater. She said Murray, a native of Alamance County NC, owns the four-screen Town and Country Drive-In Theatre in Abilene TX and the seven-screen Galaxy Drive-In Movie Theatre in Ennis.

“She said they’re optimistic the venture will succeed, and believes the Triad’s relatively mild climate makes conditions ideal for a drive-in theater,” wrote the Business Journal. Jennifer also said they hope to host car shows and music festivals at the I-40. Sounds like they’ve got a solid plan together, and I look forward to hearing more about it later this year.

 

Video: Goochland Gets A Logo On I-64

Thanks to a friend in the Virginia state legislature, Goochland Drive-In Theater will have its logo placed on an “Attractions” sign on Interstate 64, according to a report yesterday by WTVR, Richmond’s News Leader.

Owner John Heidel had been trying for eight years to get on the official highway sign since out-of-state visitors “routinely drive past exit 152.” The Virginia Department of Transportation has a policy against movie theaters on interstate attraction signs.

This year, after a request from Heidel, state delegate John McGuire submitted a bill to exempt drive-ins from that policy. WTVR reported, “However, before the legislation went to a committee, McGuire set up a meeting with Heidel and state representatives who regulate the interstate signs. Following the meeting, VDOT said they would allow Goochland Drive-In to put their logo on the sign and McGuire withdrew the bill.”

Maybe that wouldn’t make sense for urban drive-ins, but many others are true tourist attractions. It would be great to see more mentions on the interstate, both to direct the rookies and to tell the unaware what a great opportunity they have to experience some live Americana.