As a kid one of my favorite memories was going to the drive in movies with my parents. When we were “really good” our parents would load us into the station wagon and take us to see a movie in our pajamas, we would sit on top of the car, lay in sleeping bags and watch the big screen under the stars
As a parent, this is an experience I want to share with my kids, the problem is the drive in theater is becoming a thing of the past. Movie gores want 3-D and insane surround sound, the technology to upgrade the drive in is expensive, causing these American icons to become extinct.
In the 1950s, there were approximately 4,000 drive-ins in the U.S. Today, there are less than 400. The McHenry Outdoor Theater is one of the drive in theaters fighting to survive and they need your help.
The price tag to install and covert to digital technology is $130,000. “With this need to go to digital projectors. This is a critical time for drive-in theaters,” says Scott Dehn, president of Golden Age Cinemas, which operates the McHenry Outdoor Theater.
Hollywood has vowed not to distribute movies in non-digital format after the end of 2013, which could mean the end of the drive in as well as the older neighborhood theatres.
Dehn says “the drive-in holds a special place in the hearts of many people.”
“This theater has been around for 80 years and it’s been through depressions, recessions, wars, weather. It would be a shame that just a change in technology what be what would force it to close,” Dehn says.
It’s a part of Chicago area history and fun for everyone. Bring a cooler, bring sleeping bags, bring the dog, bring a ball and a mitt.
Just by showing up at the movies you can help make sure the McHenry Outdoor is around for more generations to enjoy.
Brian Grams from the Volo Auto Museum ( a must see for your and your kids) is helping the theater reach their financial goals by hosting a Summer long raffle which could get you a part of movie history, or at least some pretty cool seats for the show
“We supplied cars for the movie Superman, when they were finished filming, we were able to keep the1963 Dodge pick up, which was the Kent family farm truck. We wanted to do something good with the truck and donated it to the theater.” Says Grams
The truck is at the theater, every week, a winner gets Super Hero seats, where they get to sit in the back of the pick up and watch the movie.
“In August, they will be giving away the truck in conjunction with a super hero night, complete with super hero cars including the Bat Mobile, The Green Hornet’s car and more.” I have our costumes set (my son dresses up like a super hero mist days).
As you look for things to do this Summer, the The McHenry Outdoor Theater is a fun, affordable choice for everyone in the house. Click here for show times and more information. The address is 1510 Chapel Hill Road, shows movies on weekends through the fall.
Click here to learn more about the Volo Auto Museum.