A Blast from the Past
September 20, 2020
Taking us back to the past, drive-in movie theaters have become a new trend in replacement of large, indoor movie theaters during the Covid-19 pandemic. Across the nation, these theaters have gained a lot of popularity and many new ones have begun to launch. In Winston-Salem, two brand new drive-in theaters opened.
The Drive and the Marketplace Cinema Drive-In movie theaters appeared a couple months into the nationwide quarantine to offer entertainment in a safe and easy way. While the Marketplace Cinemas was already a movie theater, they decided to take their business outdoors to be able to continue the movie showings while abiding by health laws. The Marketplace Cinema drive in is located on Peters Creek Parkway and includes one large screen with concessions and restrooms available.
Unlike the Marketplace Cinemas drive-in, The Drive is a new business that opened up mid-summer on the Winston-Salem fairgrounds. A group from High Point called Focus Event Group partnered with Winston-Salem to take advantage of the inactive fairgrounds and create a fun and safe way for families and friends to still enjoy movies together. The Drive has two showings at a time on two separate screens with concessions and restrooms available.
The popularity of drive-in theaters before COVID-19 had greatly decreased since generations before. Many had closed and some on the verge of closing because of advanced indoor theaters with comfortable reclining movie seats. However, with the inability of movie theaters to reopen throughout this year, drive-ins have regained their popularity and become a trend for teenagers and families.
“I actually prefer drive in movies now because sitting in your car with friends and blankets is way more fun than a movie theater and it’s way cheaper than an actual movie,” Reynolds junior Leah Stitzel said.
While the indoor theaters provide a sense of comfort and advanced technology, drive-in theaters present a completely different experience. Participants receive a parking space upon entry and listen to a radio station to hear the noise of the movie. Friends and family can come together and bring blankets and food to watch the film while the stars shine in the sky above.
It is a great idea that this generation of kids are able to experience something that their parents had done years before them when they were their age. In the present, life may become too online oriented and virtual interactions may be the only communication people experience on a day to day basis. Being able to safely go out with friends and family and enjoy a great form of entertainment face to face is a nice change to the usual online schedule.
“I hope that the drive-in will stay open even after the theaters reopen because it was a great experience and I feel like it would definitely be a popular activity all year round,” Reynolds sophomore Lucy Neelon said.
While the future of drive-in movies and movie theaters is unknown, it is clear that the newer generation of people still enjoy the simple moments of life that older generations know very well.