15
GRADUATIONS
Cameron
Curtindale, left,
at a ceremony
with Weston-
McEwen
High School
classmates at
the M-F Drive-In
Theater in
northern OregonCONCERTS
The Hounds
Drive-In in Kings
Mountain, N.C.,
has hosted
more than
18 concerts,
and included
bands and DJssocial- distancing protocols. “To be out amongst friends in
a safe manner and to be able to experience the same show
with them totally brings the community together.”
In Kings Mountain, N.C., the Hounds Drive-In has also
thrived in its newfound role as a concert venue, especially
because artists pay up front to use the space. “They set up
everything, we get our money, we get to keep all the conces-
sions,” owner Preston Brown says. “I love it.”
His financial success has enabled him to turn his drive-in
into a sort of commons. The Hounds has hosted dance recitals
and pet organizations; it’s welcomed more than a dozen grad-
uating high school classes free of charge. Students received
their diplomas on the big screen as their families watched
from their cars. According to Scott Neisler, the mayor of
Kings Mountain, the Hounds’ active presence has resulted in
a local economic boost. He also staged the city’s Fourth of July
fireworks show there, in order to celebrate the holiday safely.but a storybook ending for drive-ins might prove elu-
sive. Their new, outsize role in public life has not always en-
sured their financial health. The Bengies Drive-In Theatre, in
Middle River, Md., has opened every day of some weeks, with
concerts, church services and more. But the theater is operat-
ing at less than half capacity to promote social distancing, and
has taken on a much bigger staff to control safety and crowd-
ing. “The public thinks we’re a cash cow,” says Bengies owner
D. Edward Vogel. “But it’s been very hard on us.”
Pop-up theaters emerging since the start of the pandemic,
says Vogel, are “breaking my heart.” He is particularly worried
about the 160 temporary drive-ins arriving in Walmart parking
lots—featuring films chosen by Tribeca Enterprises—in August.
These spaces could further squeeze the independent operators.(A representative for Walmart did not
respond to a request for comment.)
At the 66 Drive-In in Missouri, Mc-
Donald doubts he can make it to the fall,
because of decreased capacity, a blank
movie slate and people bringing their
own food instead of buying from the
concession stand. His financial plight
is worrisome to David Fowler, pastor of
the First United Methodist Church of
Carthage, Mo., who has been holding
services from the snack-bar roof every
Sunday, to growing crowds. His congre-
gation appreciates seeing fellow wor-
shippers in person, as opposed to sitting
at home alone. “It’s a bit of Americana
I’d hate to see lost,” says Fowler.
In face of such hardships, drive-ins
fight on for survival. In Buda, Texas,
Doc’s Drive-In has housed graduations,
soccer watch parties and two weddings,
including the Leavertons’. In April,
45 cars rolled up on each side of a dirt-
road aisle. The couple, who paid $4,
to book Doc’s, swapped heels for boots
and stood on a rickety stage, swatting
away june bugs as an officiant married
them from 6 ft. away. “It turned out the
wedding we had was way, way better
than anything we could have dreamed
of,” Lindsey says. After the ceremony,
GRADUATION: GREG LEHMAN—WALLA WALLA UNION-BULLETIN/AP; CONCERT: KEY VISION PHOTOGRAPHY Airplane! played on the big screen. □