Friday, May 6, 2011

Let's Go to the Movies!


When April arrives, my family begins eagerly awaiting the night that the Clark 54 Drive-In throws open its gates for the summer season.  Everyone I know loves the drive-in.  It's a magical place to spend your summer nights.  There's only one other summer opening that is awaited with more anticipation and that is the opening of the Dari Ripple, which has the most delicious soft serve ice cream.  I'll share their story with you another day. 

Our county no longer has an operating "movie house" theater, but we do have an incredible drive-in theater.  The Clark 54 Drive-In was hopping and thriving "back in the day", but sufferred from years of neglect beginning in the 1970's.  About a decade ago, a family purchased the drive-in and began revamping it.  It needed alot of vamping!  I'll show you a couple of the before pics that I found online.


 


Kinda creepy, don't ya think?  It looks like something out of a Stephen King movie.

Check out these photos after the transformation.



Isn't that one mind blowing make over?
I am so thankful for those who undertook this project.

Giving our drive-in back to the community has been a wonderful gift.

I love that I can share the drive-in with my boys.  The grounds, concession stands, and bathrooms are all in excellent shape.  Sound is now transmitted through radio, which is so much better than the speakers ever were.  The screen and picture quality are everything you'd want them to be.

Kids and adults run about and play in the huge grassy area in front of the screen before the movie begins.  They play soccer, frisbee, pitch-and-catch, and tag.  It gets a little crazy at times, but the kids and adults alike enjoy the free-for-all. 

Once the movie begins, it's magic.  Going into a theater and enjoying a movie is a great in the cold months, but in the summer, the Clark 54 Drive-In is the only place to truly enjoy a movie.

Last summer, we were at the drive-in during the Fourth of July weekend and got to view fireworks that were set off at a distance.  Loved it!






This is where I love to be on a weekend night.  Sitting under the stars on a blanket, watching a movie, snuggled up with my honey and kiddies, sipping a Coke, and munching buttery popcorn. 




Are you fortunate enough to have a local drive-in?  If not, perhaps you can find one on a trip.  It's something that was once disappearing from our country, but is now making a welcome comeback.  According to Drive-ins.com, "Currently there are 480 open drive-ins that we know of operating around the world. There are 372 in United States and 66 in Canada."

Looking for a drive-in?  Check Drive-ins.com, which has a searchable database.

I hope we have our drive-in for generations to come.

32 comments:

  1. What a great post! I love drive-in's and will hopefully be introducing my 3-year old daughter to one this summer.

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  2. Oh wow, this brings back memories. We used to love going to the drive-ins. Unfortunately we don't have any left here so my daughter hasn't experienced one but hope one day she will. Thanks for sharing! Tina

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  3. WOW!! I LOVE the drive in movies!! I have always wanted to own one and do gourmet foods and poopcorn! :)

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  4. I love the drive-in. It has been years since I have gone. Wish they still had them around here.

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  5. Awesome!! I love drive ins :)

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  6. We do not have a drive in, that would be so cool. We used to and it looked so run down. Walmart bought the property and now we have a walmart superstore.

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  7. Okay, this is a great post! Your newest GFC follower here! I remember going to the drive-in when I was a child. Good memories there!

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  8. Looks fun! We have a drive-in here, too. I don't know of many.

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  9. I have only been to a drive in once or twice, but I think my daughter would love! Thanks for the idea!!

    Stopping by from the Alexa hop!

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  10. Wonderful makeover of the Drive In! So cheery now. We love going to the Drive In Theater. There is only one around that we know of now. So sad they've all come down.

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  11. How fun! We don't have a drive-in in Des Moines. Our closest one is 45 minutes away and I really don't like doing that drive back home at night. I love drive in movies though. That restoration is really neat.

    Stopping by from the Alexa hop. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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  12. Hi - I'm following you now from Bloggin' Weekend and also on Twitter and Facebook - would love a follow back when you get a chance. =D

    My dad used to take me to the Drive In when I was little with his friends and they had a great playground in front of the screen where all of us kids would play before the show. It was great. I think it's closed now - it would be fun if a church or a group took it over and help family nights even 1-2 times a month. =D Thanks for sharing!

    Anyway, YOU have a wonderful Mother's Day & enjoy YOUR relationship with your family. =D Sending soft HUGS your way!

    http://familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com
    http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com
    http://facebook.com/familyliteracy
    http://twitter.com/familyliteracy

    Tina "The Book Lady"

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  13. Thanks for the reminder of a past time in my life. I used to love to go to the drive-in with my sisters. Such a great time. I'm a new follower and hope you follow me, too.

    Thanks for the Memory Lane trip,
    Helen of Helen's Decor

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  14. I love drive-ins! Our local drive-in closed last year after a fire gutted the snack shop and projecter room and there wasn't enough interest to build it back. We were so sad!

    I'm a new follower from the Monday Mingle. I'd love it if you'd drop by A Helicopter Mom and follow me back! :)

    Have a great week,
    Mickey
    A Helicopter Mom

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  15. We use to go to the drive in theater a lot when we were little. I am following you via the MMM blog hop. Please follow me.

    http://itsabouttimemamaw.blogspot.com/

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  16. Hello! Newest follower from the Follow Us Monday Morning blog hop! Would love for you to stop by and follow back, whenever you get a chance. Have a great week! (:

    Amber
    http://beautifullybellafaith.blogspot.com

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  17. I love drive-ins, wish they hadn't closed all the ones near us! Following you from the follow us monday hop, you can find me at

    http://wvfrugal-wvsaver.blogspot.com/

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  18. They took down our local drive in movies years and years ago but we have one about 30 minutes from here! Havent been in years but I should probably go soon before it closes down or something!
    I am now following you from the hop and would love it if you could please follow me back at
    http://mizzreviewlady-mommyreviews.blogspot.com/
    Thank You.

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  19. I miss those days. There are still 2 within 40 minutes of our home and we usually try to go once a year...it's been a few years though. Never understood why they would close them. I guess because they were seasonal. New follower!

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  20. I miss the drive-ins. Love Love Love your blog design, it's super cute! I found your blog via The Family Blog Hop. If you get time I would love to have you stop by my blog.

    Cheers,
    Tiffany

    http://novembergirlxoxo.com/

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  21. The revamp look great. My husband and I are going to spend some time at the local drive thru for the first time this summer. We can't wait. Following you from the Follow Me, Chickadee blog hop. Would love it if you LIKE my page: www.facebook.com/flightlessgoose

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  22. Looks like fun! I wish we had one near us!! Hello! I am stopping by from the Thursday Blog Hop! I am your newest follower! I cannot wait to read more! I hope to have you stop by and follow me back :)
    www.divvyupdiva.com

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  23. My husband and I love going to the drive in. It's cheaper and you get to see two movies!! We were brave enough to attempt going with one child, but with three under 4, we are not so brave. Maybe this summer???
    Stumbled you, hope you'll stumble me.
    http://twinglemommmy.blogspot.com/2011/05/moms-tv-ban.html

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  24. I remember going to a drive in when I was a kid. They still had one in a small town in Utah. Fun times.
    I am a new follower. I found you off of “Relax and Make Friends Blog Hop”. I’m leaving a link to my blog below because I am looking for new friends to exchange comments with.
    Cheers,
    Shanae

    My Blog

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  25. Wow, that sounds so cool! I think I've only been to a drive-in once in my life! Eek!

    Stumbled you...would love if you could stumble me back:
    http://www.keenlykristin.com/2011/05/pantothen-round-two.html

    Thanks!
    Kristin :)

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  26. I'm a huge drive-in movies fan too! There's just something magical about watching a great movie at the drive-in!

    Thanks so much for dropping by the Be-Bop-A Blog Hop! I'm a follower and I hope you'll stop by again soon! Have a great day! :)

    http://www.mommylivingthelifeofriley.com

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  27. I love drive ins. There was one in a small town in Utah when I grew up. I am your newest follower. I’m stopping by from “Follow me Back Tuesday”. Better late than never I always say. I dropped a link below… I’m always looking for new friends.
    Cheers,
    Shanae

    My Blog

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  28. I miss the drive-in. Your post brought back memories. Stumbled it:)

    Laura
    http://www.agoddessoffrugality.com/p/savings-and-deals.html

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  29. Wow I've never been to a drive in movie theatre. There isn't one around here that I've ever heard of. The transformation is amazing! Love the yellow (but then it is my favourite colour)

    Callista's Ramblings - Carla Hall of Top Chef & CanolaInfo Cooking Fish Together

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  30. Thanks for the post, and the follow, betting back to you from Z's Space Reviews.

    Zabrina

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  31. we never had any drive-ins in our area...it would be neat getting to experience one! :)

    hi, thanks for the follow (about a month ago); followed you back via gfc. so sorry for the late response, but my blog had to take the backseat for a bit. hopefully, it won't happen again. :)

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  32. I grew up going to the drive-in in my jammies, had junk food, watched the cartoons and woke up when daddy carried me in the house. We kept the tradition with my nephews. I was 11 & 15 when they were born so I got playground duty before the cartoons. I think there is still one in the county just south of me, where I grew up. When I bought this house there was one 5min away that had flea markets too. But that first summer they stopped the movies & just did flea mkts. :( and now that American Greetings HQ bought the land&ripped everything out for expansion, my big hope is gone. But I will find another. Nothing like pulling the truck in backwards & setting up lawnchairs in the bed! ;D

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