Author Archives: mrdrivein

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

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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

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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.

Parkland FL’s Occasional Drive-In Returns Saturday

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Rows of cars lined up in front of an inflatable screen

Photo from the City of Parkland

The City of Parkland FL hosts a free semi-annual drive-in at its equestrian center, and its next date is this Saturday, when it’s showing Cars 3.

According to Special Events Coordinator Alexandra Valle, the program started about four years ago, before she arrived. They rent a 33-foot high inflatable screen from Twilight Features, which also handles the projector. Local businesses sponsor the event.

Unlike a lot of places that show movies in the park for viewers on blankets, (although Parkland does that too), this is a true drive-in experience. Valle said that they’ve fit 800 cars into the area, which also has limited grassy seating near the screen. Many people sit on top of their cars to see the movie at a better view on the flat field.

Which brings me to my metaphysical question: Is this a drive-in theater? It’s always in the same place, and cars truly drive in to watch a movie. Sure, it uses an impermanent screen, but so does the Blue Starlite. But Valle argued against the notion. “We utilize the Equestrian Center large open field and raised berm to show a movie twice a year,” she said. “It is not built on a slant for a real drive-in experience. We also use this field for other special events such as our Farmers’ Market.”

I don’t think a flat viewing area or a market prevent the Parkland from being a drive-in; just think of all the drive-ins with flea markets. On the other hand, if it has only two active dates a year, that puts it in Manistique territory, and I haven’t added that one to the Carload list. I guess I need to add a minimum to the definition of an active drive-in.

In any event, it’s great to see a city provide a taste of the drive-in to its residents and visitors. I hope that more municipalities move beyond movies in the park to something more like Parkland’s almost-drive-in.