Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Wadsworth Blue-Sky Drive In Movies


      Today I wish my blog had millions of readers. Because today that kind of reach could make a real difference. Our local drive in movie theater, the Blue-Sky Drive In, could be going away. So many drive in movie theaters have already gone away. They are already nearly extinct.

   The Blue-Sky Drive In was built in 1947. Today you can load up your car with people and get into the theater to watch two movies for a total of $18. All seven of us can see two first run movies (and a lot of weeks they show three movies) for a total of $18. At any other theater around you can see fourteen movies for $10.00 per ticket, so $140. Plus you get to sit in your own comfy car with no distractions except the ones you bring with you. At least you can tell your own people to hush if they get rowdy.

     Here's the rub: The movie industry is going digital. Simply put, that means no more movies on film. It also means new projectors, which cost $80, 000. Considering the price we paid to get in was a mere $10 until just a couple of years ago, I think this theater has been operating more as a labor of love than a bid to get rich. It has worked. We love it.

     There's a way we can help save our Blue-Sky Drive In.  Honda is giving away the new projectors to five Drive-Ins. All they have to do to win is get the most votes. All we have to do is:
  •  go to Project Drive-In every day and click the "vote" button. 
  • And text Vote53 to 444999 once per day.
     Share this. On twitter, on facebook, on Pinterest, via email. Ask every teenager you know to text every day. Please and thank you.

     Remember the playground at the front of the drive-in movies? Where you played with kids you didn't know and made friends in ten seconds? I want my someday grandchildren to be able to do that, too.

14 comments:

  1. Where I grew up, there were (are still) 3 drive ins. Now, in Jersey, there is ONE drive in in the state... and it is (fortunately) close to me. It's not the nicest, but it is so much fun. Love this, and I hope it gets saved!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've never been to a drive-in, can you believe it? There's one on Cape Cod and when I go next week, I plan to leave the kids with their grandparents and sneak out alone. It will be delicious. And then I'll come back here and tell you, "You were right!!!"

    ReplyDelete
  3. Having grown up in probably the same area code, I remember all the old drive-ins. Tne Gala, Montrose, Blue Sky, Ascot, and East in Tallmadge. Ironically, where the East used to set on Darrow Rd, our Ryan development butts up against where the parking lot ended.

    Lots of good times there.

    ReplyDelete
  4. We still have a drive in and they did the upgrade to digital a few years ago. I think it was $20 for 4 of us to see 2 movies. This year was the first time they didnt allow you to buy a food pass for $5 to bring in coolers of food!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh no! I wish I read this a month ago, I hope it all worked out! Thanks for visiting my blog, I always make it a point to return the favor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have a few days left because they opened up a giveaway for four more - but only until the 19th.

      Delete
  6. Congratulations! You are the winner of http://momwithadot.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-math-giveaway.html - My very first giveaway!! The gift card has been emailed to you, please let me know once you receive it. Congrats once again and thank you for participating :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just found it - thank you! I had totally overlooked it.


      That will be fun!

      Delete
  7. Sad to hear when iconic places like this fade away. I hope it can be saved -- somehow, some way.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey there! Just wanted to say thanks for the follow on bloglovin'! I'm happy to be following you back :o) Hope you're having a great Tuesday!

    croppedstories@gmail.com
    http://www.croppedstories.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. it makes me so sad that they are closing them down. I think I heard our's is getting shut down also :(. I hope your's gets saved.

    ReplyDelete
  10. oh no!! i love drive in theaters... there arent really many around my area any more. but i remember going when i was a kid and its the best. i'll try my best to help save them too! thanks for letting us know!

    xoxo Sarah (xlicious girl)
    Japanese Gyaru Makeup Blog
    Enter My $75 Halloween Costume Giveaway (Ends 10/10, worldwide ok)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I wish they could be saved! Once one goes out, it never comes back. I think they could raise their prices enough to pay for new equipment. People who appreciate drive-ins wouldn't mind.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I grew up go to drive-in movies. Such great memories. What a shame and I hope that it managed to make it. Our local one, the only one in the area didn't. How sad that future generations won't know the joy.

    ReplyDelete