John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com.
Four years ago, during the throes of the pandemic, I wrote a piece exploring the potential resurgence of drive-in movie theaters. Back then, it felt like a wistful dream, a flicker of Americana in a world consumed by hand sanitizer and social distancing. But guess what? The other night, I found myself under the stars, revisiting a favorite movie, my headlights pointed toward a giant white screen, the sweet aroma of popcorn battling bug spray for dominance of the summer night air.
The Belmont Drive-In is located a half-hour down I-85 from my home. It’s a mom-and-pop establishment operated by the same family since 1983 and exudes an unmistakable retro vibe. Its ticket office is adorned with vintage film reels, and its restroom/snack bar is ringed in bright red neon.
It was my first time at a drive-in since taking in a “Big”/”Overboard” double feature at the Sundance in Oregon, Ohio, in 1988. So, going on 40 years. Was the experience like I remembered? In a word: absolutely. The parking lot was buzzing with activity, a symphony of car engines and excited chatter. Kids sprawled across truck beds and poked their heads out the open backs of SUVs. The concession stand, helmed by a young man with an old-fashioned order pad, held that unmistakable aroma of buttery popcorn and sugary cotton candy. The menu included hamburgers, hot dogs and the requisite boxed candy and sodas.
The one thing I did kind of miss from my youthful experiences at the Ottawa Drive-In in Port Clinton was the hard-wired speakers. Yeah, half of them were always out of order, and the sound quality was abysmal, but tuning in the audio on the car radio just feels like cheating. The Belmont also seems slightly more sensitive about outside food and drink than I recall the Ottawa being. Kentucky Fried Chicken, washed down with Boone’s Farm in the later years, was the norm in those days.
The movie itself, the original “Star Wars,” was impressive enough, projected onto a towering screen in the warm glow of twilight. It was the first time I’d seen it on the big screen since the summer of ’77. While I’m sure most people in the audience had seen it before, there were still many oohs, ahs and laughter, a powerful reminder of the communal joy a movie can bring when experienced together. A pair of tots whose PARENTS likely hadn’t been born yet when Obi-Wan and Darth Vader first went at it jousted with toy lightsabers.
While the Belmont seems to be doing well, the drive-in resurgence wasn’t as widespread as I’d envisioned in 2020. While some have thrived, others have struggled. The initial novelty and nostalgia faded, and the convenience of streaming services at home proved a tough competitor. And there are aspects of the drive-in experience – rain, heat, cold, bugs – that will always be wildcards. Despite these challenges, the experience solidified my belief that drive-ins offer something unique. It’s more than just watching a movie; it’s a nostalgic escape, a chance to reconnect with a simpler time and create new memories under the stars. As long as these open-air cinemas can adapt and offer a compelling experience, they’ll continue to hold a special place in our hearts and, hopefully, on our summer nights.
Note: For John’s thoughts about the movie, see “Rewatching Star Wars” on his Reverie & Co. Substack.