Drive-In Movies Still Alive and Well in Connecticut

Growing up in the 50s and 60s, going to catch a movie at the Drive-In served a two fold purpose depending how old you were. Do you remember?

When I was a cute cuddly kid, my parents would have us put on our jammies and take my two brothers and I to the drive-ins. I remember being jammed into the back seat and seeing Ben-Hur and Sleeping Beauty. Good times! My next experience at the drive-in was in the late 60s when my girlfriend, Sharon, and I would go see movies like, ahhhh... I really don't recall the movies, but I do remember how fogged up the windows used to get.

We used to have 40 Drive-ins in Connecticut back in the 60s, but 95% of those have dried up, which leaves us with three left. They are:

1. Southington Drive-In - Located at 935 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike (Rt 322), the Southington Drive In is putting the finishing touches on its 2016 run of movies. The season kicks off on June 4 and continues through September 3. Originally opened in 1954, it survived until 2002, when it went dark. Southington Park & Rec eventually resurrected the drive-in due to intense vocal support from the community.

2. Mansfield Drive-In - Located at 228 Stafford Road in Tolland County, the Mansfield Drive-in boasts three screens and is up and running for the season. On Sundays from 8 AM to 3 PM, they play host to one of the largest flea markets in the state.

3. Pleasant Valley Drive-In -Located on River Road in Litchfield County, the Pleasant Valley Drive-in has begun their 2016 season.

Coming soon, drive-in theaters still up and going strong in the Hudson Valley!

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