The first drive-in
in the United
States opened
in 1933 in
Camden, N.J.
t
I
f
president of the United Drive-in Theater
Owners Association and owner of the
country’s oldest drive-in, Shankweiler’s,
in Orefield, Pa. Unlike most events,
though, drive-ins are and always have
been remarkably affordable.
“Going to the movies is the cheapest
orm of entertainment, and the drive-in
is even cheaper,” Geissinger says. “Our
capacity allows us to charge less because
we can hold 1,000 or 1,200 audience
members at one sitting.”
With double features offering moviegoers two films for the price of one, and
reasonably priced concessions remaining an industry staple, the drive-in begins
to sound like the best deal going.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this
year, Shankweiler’s opened just after
Hollingshead’s original. Geissinger came
on as a projectionist in 1971 and bought
the place in 1987.
“I didn’t like it much at first, but now
love it,” he says. “It gets in your blood.”
Geissinger exudes a weary optimism
hat seems common to many in the drive-in trade. There are rich emotional rewards
from running an operation patronized by
generations of devoted fans, but the owners still have to contend with the pitfalls
of a seasonal business at the mercy of
whim and weather.
“There’s nothing like a Saturday
night when we’re busy,” Geissinger says.
you ca
“All age groups can enjoy them,
n meet a lot of people from your
community, and it’s a whole experience
you just don’t find when you go to an
indoor theater ... it’s unique.”
Keep the Drive-in Alive
Wellfleet, Mass.,
wellfleet
drivein.com
■ Warwick
Drive-in,
Warwick, N. Y.,
warwick
drivein.com
■ Becky’s
Drive-in,
Berlinsville, Pa.,
beckysdi.com
nkweiler’s
Drive-in, Orefield, Pa.,
shankweilers.com
A summer night under the stars:
■ Sha
■ Garden Drive-in,
Hunlock Creek, Pa.,
gardendrivein.com
■ The Transit Drive-in,
Lockport, N. Y.,
transitdrivein.com
■ The Silver Lake
Drive-in, Perry, N. Y.,
charcoalcorral.com
■ Delsea Drive-in,
Vineland, N.J.,
delseadrive-in.com
■ Bengies Drive-in,
Middle River, R.I.,
bengies.com
■ Rustic Tri-View Drive-
in, North Smithfield, R.I.,
401-769-7601
■ Wellfleet Drive-in,
Pennsylvania, New York
and Ohio have the most
drive-ins still standing.
Go to drive-ins.com and
search by ZIP code for
one near you.
