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Community Corner

Second Season at Southington Drive-In Just Around the Corner

With a full schedule of movies, the Southington Drive-In is set for a second season of fun.

The Southington Drive-in will soon begin its second season next month, and organizers say many improvements and additions will ensure an even more successful season this year.

A local volunteer group called the Southington Drive-In Committee worked to reopen the theater on Meriden -Waterbury Road last year after being closed since 2002. It originally opened in 1954, but closed a decade ago.

After the town purchased and renovated the site, it reopened last year and sach Saturday night saw mostly sold-out shows drawing around 300 cars each weekend.

Organizer Michael Riccio sad this year's experience will be enhanced by features like a finished pavilion and indoor restrooms, a grass lot, a return of the theater's original ticket booths and a new area designed just for walk-in viewers.

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"Last year we had to turn away so many cars, so we thought this year even if the lot is full, people will still be able to park there cars and sit on the grass and listen with speakers in a designated spot," Riccio said. "We're just telling people bring your chairs, just in case."

Another improvement this year is the showing of more recently-released movies like Toy Story 3, possible after choosing a new movie distributor. All movies presented will again be rated G-PG 13 to ensure a family friendly atmosphere.

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Movies such as The Goonies, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Finding Nemo are set to show this summer, with the opening film, Back to the Future 2, opening the season by popular demand. Committee member Dawn Miceli said Facebook fans of the drive-in made requests for this year's movie selection, with Back to the Future II taking the top spot.

"It's great because we were able to choose the movies this year based on what the people wanted," Miceli. "Last year one of our most packed nights was with Back to the Future, so it works out that the sequel will be the first show."

The complete list should soon be posted on the web site: www.southingtondrivein.com.

Shows will be played every Saturday June 18 through August 27 except the last weekend in July, when the Italian Festival takes place. A 50's weekend will also take place, showing American Graffiti and Grease, with an area to be designated for antique cars.

Food vendors serving snacks, ice cream and popcorn will again be available this summer.

The cost is $10 per carload, and $12 for out-of-town visitors.

Civic organizations and nonprofit groups each sponsor each of the eleven movies, staffing each event with their own volunteers and splitting the proceeds with the drive-in organization and the movie distributors.

"The biggest reward for me many of us is we were were able to work with these civic groups and have them benefit from the nostalgic experience of going to the drive-in," Miceli said. "What's great is that all of the non-profits and civic organizations are from Southington and all the money benefits people from Southington."

Organizer Michael Faslo said it's been fun working on the project and seeing community members enjoy the experience with their families. He spoke with many families from across the state visiting the theater last summer who said they were happy to find one of the few outdoor theaters left in the area.

"To make this happen and see so many kids experience something their parents once did, and even us adults to experience a part of our childhood again, has been very rewarding," Fasulo said.

The summer movie schedule will be as follows:

June 18: Back to the Future II
June 25: Karate Kid
July 2: Close Encounters
July 9: City Slickers
July 16: Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang
July 22: American Graffiti
July 23: Grease
August 6: Ghostbusters
August 13: Finding Nemo
August 20: Field of Dreams
August 27: The Sandlot
September 3: Toy Story 3

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