Corporate Sponsors Bring New Opportunities as Drive-In Ready for New Season

For three years now, the Southington Drive-In has helped bring thousands together at the southern end of Recreation Park for movies, family fun and entertainment.

With the Southington Drive-In – the only community-owned venue of its kind in the nation – now ranked in among the state’s best attractions by Connecticut Magazine and a factor in earning Southington the rank of third-best Connecticut town in Hartford Magazine, don’t expect anything less as the Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike location prepared to kick-off its 4th season on Saturday night.

The season will kick-off two weeks early this year with a showing of “Jaws” on June 8. With a new corporate sponsor, additional non-profits, a beach weekend and much more, drive-in committee member Dawn Miceli said the town is hoping for the best season yet.

“The biggest change this year is having a new corporate sponsor that will allow us to do a number of different things,” Miceli said.

“One example is our double feature weekend. That weekend, the first 100 kids through the gates each night will receive a beach ball. We will also have have beach volleyball, kiddie pools, bonfire for s’mores and more that evening.”

For a complete schedule of shows, click the link provided.

Richard Chevrolet of Cheshire, which provided sponsorship for the season, will also hold special giveaways throughout the season and will bring different cars to each event as a sort of “touch-a-car” for families, company officials said.

In addition, committee member Michael Riccio said last month that the drive-in is bringing back favorites including themed-weekends and the October “Halloween Festival.”

On Aug. 3, Miceli said the Junior Women’s Club will host a special “Princess Night” as well, with a showing of the princess bride and various princess-related activities.

The drive-in has come a long way since being closed in 2002 and later purchased by the town of Southington in 2004. In 2010 it finally reopened after a group of local residents formed the drive-in committee, according to the website, and has been a central Connecticut destination ever since.

“It really is remarkable how far we’ve come and how this has become a true community resource,” Miceli said.” Not only has the drive-in sustained itself, it has grown and has done so while not being reliant on anyone.”

For more on the drive in, visit the Southington Drive-In website or visit the Southington Drive-In Facebook page.

Editor’s Note: If there is inclement weather for Saturday showings, a rain date is set for Sundays. Updates will be available on Facebook in the event of inclement weather.

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