The sun is setting over the horizon — turning the evening sky all different shades of pinks and oranges. It’s a beautiful sight, but the night has only just begun. For as the sun goes down, the movie lights fire up, preparing for the upcoming movie.
I had never been to a drive-in theater before moving to Newton. I had seen them in movies. I still sing the song “Sandy” from the musical “Grease” in my head every time I think of heading the short trip down the road to the Valle Drive-In. (“Stranded at the drive-in...” see now I’m singing it as I write this column.)
The drive-in movie theater has been around since around 1933 when the first “Park-In Theater” opened at Crescent Boulevard in Camden, N.J. The format really became popular in the 1950s and 60s and soon became an icon of American culture. More than 5,000 theaters were open across the nation, making for a typical weekend destination for most families, friends and especially young couples.
The trends began to change in the 1970s. Because of higher costs and technological advances, attendance began to drop and drive-ins almost died out in the 1980s. They found their niche again in the 1990s, preserving this piece of American history for new generations to enjoy. There are fewer than 500 drive-ins up and running today, making the Valle Drive-in a treasure in our own backyard.
I came to Newton in October of 2014, and in the whirlwind of moving and starting a new job, I wasn’t able to get out to the drive-in before it closed for the season. I made a promise to myself to do just that when it reopened in the spring. I did just that, seeing the new “Avengers” movie the next May.
I have returned to the Valle several times since then. It makes an excellent family night out, a place to hang out with friends or a great date night.
There was something so nostalgic about spending an evening outside with people you like to be around, having supper picnic-style by the car while waiting for dusk to arrive. I brought my softball glove and played catch, got an intense card game of war started around the cooler and enjoyed the retro tunes that brought the whole experience together.
The concession stand has a great variety, making it easy to enjoy a late night pizza and fresh-popped popcorn during the show. The hot cocoa and cappuccino on a chilly evening is perfect when getting ready for the second film or to simply enjoy during the first.
On the occasion when my parents joined me for an evening at the drive-in, Dad told me about seeing “Dr. No” at the Marshalltown drive-in when he was a boy. It was the movie that started a lifelong love of the James Bond movies.
I honestly had no idea there was a drive-in theater in Marshalltown. It was gone well before I was around, and I hadn’t heard Dad mention it prior to that day.
Mom talked about going to the Grinnell drive-in, she could remember one particular outing with her youngest sister Brenda, but she wasn’t sure what movie they saw. I never would have thought to ask if it hadn’t been for the staple in the Newton community.
I love movies and seeing them in this format is an amazing experience. There are still several weekends left before the drive-in has to close for the winter. Go out and take in this gem in our own backyard.
Contact Pam Rodgers at
prodgers@newtondailynews.com