As we creep up on the 250th birthday of the good ol US of A, we’re constantly being bombarded with visions of the “good ol’ days.” And, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. As our World Cup guests are finding out, these United States are BIG. And I’m not sure about you, but when I put on my nostalgic Americana glasses, I’m seeing things like apple pie and baseball, sure, but also road trips and diners and rest stops. I’m going back before my own era to when Americans were exploring shore to shore by big beautiful classic cars on Route 66. And I’m thinking back to the drive-in theater.
While I wasn’t there for the heyday of Route 66, I was fortunate enough to live nearby two or three drive-in theaters that survived where so many others didn’t. So I have distinct memories of things like laying on the roof of my friend Robin’s parents’ minivan and watching Disney movies, then crawling in and laying down in a pile of blankets during the second “grown-up” feature I had no interest in.
I remember seeing Independence Day, again on the roof of a vehicle at the drive-in, only this time a storm was rolling in in the film at the same time it was in the movie. I remember a date that turned into a double where we packed a cooler up with picnic fare and set up only to have to tear down quickly due to a tornado warning, having to seek shelter in the concession stand just like they did in Twister (though, nothing hit us in real life.)
There’s truly something different about packing your car up, maybe taking your dog and six friends, and parking under the starry night sky in front of a towering screen to watch whatever latest blockbuster you thought might look great in “HUGE” size. But drive-in theaters, which used to number in the thousands across the US, have become mostly a memory for many, with only a few hundred now still operating.
Lucky for us, there’s those that know what would be lost if the drive-ins all shuttered forever, and Scott Dehn, who’s been the owner of the Mchenry Outdoor, which started life as the Skyline, has made sure to restore the theater to its original glory. Partly due to a grant from Honda, he upgraded the screen to digital and brought back everything from carload nights and great concessions to amazing special events.
So while we’re sure it’s a huge honor for Dehn and the McHenry theater to have been one of only FOUR drive-ins in the entire country chosen to host the MLB’s big July 4th bash, we’re not exactly surprised.
Alongside theaters in Vineland, NJ, Blue Ridge, GA and Paramount, CA, the McHenry drive-in will be screening the “Sandlot” - an *amazing* choice for an event like this that’s sure to delight new generations and, well, us – and then a screening of an MLB matchup - the Cubs, in our case, naturally. But it’s not just movies at the drive-in and concessions, as each theater will also have lawn games, something called a “PLAY BALL” presence, giveaways, and of course, fireworks.
Under Dehn’s leadership, a lot of great classic movies and equally awesome activities have found a home at the drive-in, so we’re sure there’s going to be special touches his team will add that make it absolutely unforgettable. The festivities for the event start at 4 and run through 10 pm, with schedules tentative based on things like weather and the ball game, and even though the McHenry Outdoor boasts the largest capacity at 800 cars, tickets are of course, already sold out.
Are you making the pilgrimage? If you are, don’t forget to let us know!
It's worth a drive out every time, so if you missed the boat on the MLB event, don't forget to check out all the other films screening and grab some tickets for an unforgettable night out under the stars.
