NATIONAL DRIVE-IN DAY!

“The Whole Family Is Welcome… Regardless of How Noisy the Children Are.”

That was the slogan when the very first drive-in movie theater opened its gates in Camden, New Jersey on June 6th, 1933.

Richard Hollingshead, Jr. — a chemical company magnate with a passion for movies — nailed a screen between trees in his backyard, threw a Kodak projector on his car hood, and tested sound levels by rolling his windows up and down. That brilliant, weird, totally American experiment gave birth to a cinematic phenomenon that would shape generations.

And here we are, 91 years later, still piling into our cars, grabbing popcorn from the snack bar, and settling in under the stars.

That’s why June 6th is National Drive-In Day, a celebration of everything we love about outdoor cinema. But this year, it’s more than just nostalgia and buttered popcorn — it’s about the future of drive-ins.

The amazing folks at Drive-Ins Near Me — powered by actual drive-in owners and supported by the UDITOA (United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association) — have launched a truly awesome initiative: they’re actively looking for the next generation of drive-in owners.

That’s right — YOU can own a drive-in.

Several drive-ins are up for sale, as long-time owners look to retire. These are real working theaters with massive screens, digital projection, booming stereo sound, and loyal crowds.

Drive-Ins Near Me lists available properties and even offers guidance on how to build your own drive-in from scratch. It’s a full-service roadmap to becoming part of American movie history.

Owning a drive-in is no longer a fantasy. It’s right there, within reach. And this site is the map.

Why I Love the Drive-In

Let me tell you something straight from the heart: I love the drive-in. I grew up going to them. They’re a part of my DNA as a movie lover.

When I was a kid in the '60s, '70s and early '80s, the Chicago area was loaded with legendary drive-ins — the Bel-Air, the Sunset, the Double, the Twin, the Sheridan. They were off the highway, nestled into big open lots, where families could bring lawn chairs, coolers, and kids in pajamas.

Some even had playgrounds under the screen. And the movies? Everything from horror flicks to comedies to musicals. I saw them all. Some great, some awful — all unforgettable.

As a teenager and well into adulthood, the drive-in remained a staple. My friends and I would make nights of it. We’d get snacks, maybe sneak in a pizza, and just soak up the atmosphere.

I hosted events at the Midway Drive-In in Dixon, IL, run by my friends Mike and Mia Kerz — beautiful people who are keeping the dream alive. We did George Romero marathons, first-run screenings, dusk-to-dawn horror lineups. You haven’t lived until you’ve watched The Thing or Halloween under a moonlit sky, with crickets chirping around your car.

The Big Events: From Now Until November

This summer, check out what’s happening:

• June 28th – Dusk till Dawn John Carpenter Marathon at the Midway Drive-In: The Thing, Halloween, Prince of Darkness, Assault on Precinct 13. Four masterworks, one epic night.

• Drive-Ins Near Me – Constant updates on upcoming drive-in events, classic film screenings, merch drops, and first-run showings across the country.

• Fall 2025 – Drive-In Con: The first-ever national Drive-In Convention, happening in North Ridge, Ohio at the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In. This will be the place for drive-in lovers and future owners. We’re talking:

  • Master classes on how to own and run a drive-in

  • A drive-in marketplace and merch

  • “State of the Union” address on the future of outdoor cinema

  • Behind-the-scenes tours

  • Industry networking

  • And yeah — probably more amazing movies under the stars

Get Involved. Get Nostalgic. Get Inspired.

Here’s what you can do right now:

1. Go to driveinsnearme.com — type in your ZIP code and find your nearest drive-in.

2. Support your local drive-in — buy tickets, buy concessions, bring your friends and family.

3. Follow Drive-Ins Near Me on social — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube — for the latest event announcements and drive-in love.

4. Dream big — If you’ve ever thought “Man, it’d be awesome to run a drive-in,” this is your sign. Check out the ownership listings. Take a leap. Be the next Hollingshead.

Why It Matters

The drive-in is more than just a place to see a movie. It’s history. It’s community. It’s independence. It’s sitting under the stars with a speaker crackling or your radio dialed to a scratchy FM station.

It’s kids falling asleep in the backseat. It’s couples sneaking kisses. It’s people honking at the screen. It’s laughter, horror, popcorn, and summer air.

Let’s not lose that.

Support your local drive-in. Visit DriveInsNearMe.com. And if the dream’s been sitting in the back of your head — maybe it’s time to bring it into focus, like a projector warming up against the twilight.

Thanks for reading, and please SUBSCRIBE to my weekly NEWSLETTER!

Join me on Patreon as a paid subscriber to help keep this thing going.

Thanks again!