There’s a type of newspaper article that I read all the time, often once per year per newspaper. It’s the fun summer article that says, in effect, “Hey, have you readers noticed that we still have a drive-in theater near here? I went, and it turns out that it’s lots of fun!” I suspect that they’re often written by summer interns, but you never know.

Of course, you already know about the unmatched experience that is a trip to the drive-in, but sometimes it can be fun to see how others discover it. All of which is a long-winded way of saying that you might be interested in the Central Kitsap (WA) Reporter’s story last week about the Rodeo Drive-In near Bremerton.

The best news is that the Rodeo has made the transition to digital, a $250,000 investment according to owner Jack Ondracek. “We’ve known this project was coming for 10 years,” he said. “We’ve been planning for this for a long time. We bought and paid for this with the support of our customers.”

There’s a lot of fun discussion with Ondracek and Rodeo patrons, so you really ought to go read it!

After you’re done with the article, head over to the Rodeo’s web site. It’s got some interesting regional history, lots of nice photos, and a great quote at the end of the All About Us page: “Drive-in theatres are special places, with a nostalgic atmosphere that can’t be found in an indoor theatre.”

Folks are really going to miss the Auto Vue Drive-In of Colville WA. Over the winter, I’d already run one note about its planned closing at the end of this season due to lack of funds for conversion to digital projection. Then in April, I added an embedded video of the Auto Vue. But since then, I’ve continued to see one story after another with tributes of varying lengths to this rickety old piece of Americana.

But none of those measured up to the lengthy article in the Pacific Northwest Insider last week. This one’s got everything – history, old photos, a whole page of new photos, references to other theaters’ fundraisers, just plain everything. And the writer understands the appeal of a drive-in, that it’s not like an indoor theater. “On this Sunday night at the Auto Vue, though, it feels like an event, not a movie. It’s something — at least until after Labor Day, when the last double feature hits the screen — to see, not just to watch.”

This article is one of the finest drive-in articles I’ve read this year. Of course you should go read it!

One more note: I wish the Auto Vue people would contact the folks who run the Comanche Drive-In in Buena Vista CO. Rather than worry about showing current releases, the Comanche seems to embrace its film-based nostalgia. I mean, a drive-in makes almost all of its profit from the concession stand. As long as enough hungry patrons come to watch, everybody’s happy. Why not rent older films and stay in business?

The Wheel-In Motor Movie (what a great name!), south of Port Townsend WA, reopened for its 60th season this week, as documented in the Peninsula Daily News.

The Wheel-In is owned by Rick Wiley, and he says that he’s “excited” about converting to digital projection next year. But even with digital, the Wheel-In won’t be showing 3D movies. “Three-D doesn’t work at drive-ins,” Wiley said. “You have the windshield blocking you, there are no walls, and you can never get the glasses back at the end of the movie.”

You really should go read this article for an interesting portrait of this third-generation drive-in owner who enjoys the hard work it takes to keep it running. According to the Peninsula Daily News, “The day before opening, (Wiley) was cutting grass, installing speakers and installing the sign that his grandfather created 60 years ago.” It makes me want to go visit soon!