May 2004

Drive-in Nights

by Martina Priadka

One of the best parts of this new season that is upon us is the fact that we no longer have to warm up our cars or scrape the windshields! As a matter of fact, we can walk just about anywhere in the city now, if we really wanted. But the destination spot that I am talking about is for people with cars only or people who have friends who have cars. It is also a spot that is almost strictly available to those of us living in this great state of Minnesota. I am talking about the drive-in!

For most of you, the thought of the drive-in brings to mind old movies where girls in poodle skirts and guys with the Jimmy Dean look are fogging up the windows from the backseat of their cars. Well I am here to tell you to join the year 2004 and get on track with the drive-in of today.

First of all, you must prepare the proper accessories for full drive-in enjoyment. These include, one boom box with batteries, one cooler filled with your favorite beverages and snack foods, one lawn chair and one blanket per person and plenty of bug spay. I know this might sound a little high maintenance at first but once you collect the main components you can keep them in the car for those spontaneous outdoor flick-watching moments.

Next, you must decide which movie you would like to see or more importantly in which order as most of the drive-ins play the same movies. Most play two but for the die-hard moviegoers the drive-in off of East 94 plays three. Also important to note is that the drive-in is for action packed films and comedies. Do not expect to see an intellectually stimulating film during this experience. You are here to sit back under the stars and hang on to the edge of your lawn chair or laugh until it folds up on you!

Once you select the drive-in you can pack up the car, pick up your friends and head out into the sunset. Be sure to beat sundown, however as the movies here do not have specific start times. They begin when the sun sets. That means that you have to leave earlier at this time of the year and later as the summer wanes.

Once you arrive you will pay approximately $6.00 for up to three movies! What a deal too, right? You will also be able to tune your radio to the station that plays the soundtracks to the movies you will be watching. No, the speakers that attach to the windows are gone with the poodle skirts. Some places still have them and a few of them even work but we have moved into the era of stereo, baby so get tuned in to the right channel.

Next, find yourself a great place to park. Do you like to be up front? If you have a car I recommend this spot and in the middle is good too. If you are driving a truck and want to put the chairs in the back, then a spot just in front or to the side of the concession stand is probably better. Once you are situated in your parking spot you can set up your seats. Bring out the lawn chairs, cooler and blankets. Set them up in front of the car put the boom box on in front of you and don’t forget the bug spray. If you are anti-bug spray then you can always watch the first half of the movie in the car and move out later. The mosquitoes tend to come out at dusk and go away after about 30 minutes.

Now all you have to do is sit back, enjoy your snacks and watch the movies. Don’t worry. If you run out of things to eat you can always hit the concession stand where they sell plenty of movie junk food to keep you in the drive-in spirit. You will find anything from ice cream to popcorn to hotdogs and whole pizza. Just remember, this kind of fun is strictly for the casual. If you don’t like a little dirt on your shoes or can’t use bathrooms without mirrors then you better stick to the theater. For those of you up for some adventurous fun, this is the spot for you!

Check your local paper in the regular movie section for current showings.

Cottage View Drive-in
651.458.5965
9338 S.E. Point Douglas Road
Cottage Grove
Washington County

Vali Hi Drive-in
651.436.7464
Located at I-94 at Manning
Lake Elmo
Washington County

Starlite Drive-in
320.693.6990
28264 Hwy
Litchfield
Meeker County

Long Drive-in Theater
320.732.3142
On North Hwy 71
Long Prairie
Todd County

Verne Drive-in
507.283.0007
327 West Warren Street
Luverne
Rock County

Sky-Vu Drive-in
218.745.4161
Located on Route 1 West
Warren
Marshall County

For more information on individual drive-ins go to www.driveinmovie.com

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink


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