NATIONAL DRIVE-IN MOVIE DAY

June 6 is National Drive-In Movie Day on the National Day Calendar to commemorate the day the first drive-in theater opened in 1933. Today, we want to give thanks to Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. of Camden, New Jersey for creating the drive-in theater. Today, also gives us the opportunity to take a nostalgic walk down memory lane to one of the most memorable times in our lives.

#DriveInMovieDay

National Drive-In Movie Day takes us to a time when fun could be seen on the big screen from inside (or on top of) your car. This National Day takes us back to a time when seeing a movie on a Friday night was an entire family affair. Some of us remember going to the drive-in theatre, yet very few young people today will get to experience the fun and anticipation of spending an evening watching a movie outside on a huge screen.

Did you Know? Copiague, Long Island, New York once was home to one of the largest drive-in theaters. The drive-in covered over 29 acres and could park 2,500 vehicles. It also hosted a full-service restaurant with rooftop seating, a trolley system to take children and adults to the playground, and a large indoor theater in case of bad weather.

Why were drive-in theatres so popular?

Drive-in theatres were popular because it was one activity the entire family could do together. Moviegoers could bring their babies, visit, and eat. Before drivein's, movie theaters didn’t allow or frowned upon large families attending a movie. However, drive-in theatres changed that concept.

Going to the drive-in gave people options. If someone didn’t enjoy the movie, they could leave by simply drive away. On the other hand, many people liked the idea of going to the movie in casual attire, which was something people didn't do during that time when attending a movie in the theatre. Most importantly, it was much cheaper to go to a drive-in movie than the theater because the drive-in charged per carload, not per person.

Unfortunately, the invention of color television, VCRs, and video rentals led to a sharp decline in the drive-in popularity. In addition, the increase in land values and the widespread adoption of daylight saving time were also factors in the decline. Still, there are many Americans who still love going to the drive-in.

Some benefits for going to a drive-in movie include:

It’s an opportunity to see a movie on the big screen in the great outdoors.
You are able to support a fragile mom and pop industry.
You can help preserve a slice of American history.
It’s a fun and safe way to spend time with family and friends.

Do drive-in theatres still exists?

Although there aren’t nearly as many drive-in movie theaters as there once were, you can still find them in different parts of the country. Visit driveinmovie.com to find your nearest location. If you do happen to find a drive-in movie theater, there are some things you can do to maximize your experience. Check to see if the drive-in theatre has concession stands. If they don't, remember to bring your favorite drinks and snacks. You can also bring along your favorite pillows and blankets to make sure you’re extra comfy during the movie. Remember, if your get too cramped in the car, you can always bring along your own lawn chair. Don't forget to check the weather forecast. You don't want to spend your drive-in theatre adventure in the pouring rain.

5 Most Influential Drive-In Movies of All Time

Enter the Dragon
Smokey and the Bandit
Walking Tall
Night of the Living Dead
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

CELEBRATING DRIVE-IN MOVIE DAY

Head to your nearest drive-n with your family or friends. If you don't have one near you, think about exploring the history of drive-in theatres. You might consider asking your parents if they went to the drive-in and ask them to share their experiences.
Give a shout out to the drive-in movie theaters near you or share your own personal memories of attending the drive-in theatre on social media using the hashtag #DriveInMovieDay.