The Return of the Drive In!
This is exciting news. The Ceres Drive In will be reopening later this month! In this day, the drive in has emerged as the safe way to do things and now, you can experience a real full sized screen, concessions, digital sound and a real drive-in experience. How cool is this? Here’s what’s happening.
Ceres Drive-In opened as a single screen drive-in in 1947 just a few years after World War Two and at the birth of America’s love affair for all things Automotive. Eventually becoming a twin screen drive-in with a capacity for 350 cars. In 2009 it was announced that the drive-in would close and on June 21st 2010 a fire destroyed the snack bar and projection building making it unlikely to ever open again. Screen one is no longer standing but screen two(100 feet wide by 40 feet tall) is and has been refurbished and the drive-in experience has had a resurgence in recent months. We met with event designer Mark Stotzer who is bringing this unique American experience back to the Modesto area, back to the home of American Graffiti. They plan on showing timeless classics to blockbusters with a schedule that will keep you coming back again and again. So make plans for that hot date or family night out. Rates will be per car and the concessions will be affordable and special box and outdoor seating area will be available. The price of admission will be $30 per car.
It is now ok to put chairs next to your car as long as you stay there and facial covering protocol will be required. You will be able to walk to the concessions and the renovated restrooms as you enjoy the movie.
We will keep you posted but plans are for them to be open at the end of September and to show movies year-round.
The Ceres Drive-In is located at 1651 E Whitmore Ave. Ceres, CA. right off of Highway 99.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/reopen-the-ceres-drive-in
www.ceresdrivein.com<www.ceresdrivein.com> www.facebook.com/driveinceres<www.facebook.com/driveinceres>
By Middagh Goodwin and Chris Murphy
Photos by MJ Mangano
