Driving Force
As drive-in theaters fade away, owners fight to stay relevant to new audiences
STORY BY Carson Gerber
Barb Biehl was about 6 years old the first time she saw a movie at the 13-24 Drive-In theater in the 1960s.
She remembers wrapping up in blankets and resting on pillows beneath the stars with her parents as the 35-millimeter film projector shined upon the massive screen. Today, Biehl is 70 years old and still watching movies at the drive-in just outside her hometown of Wabash, Indiana.
On a recent August night underneath a glowing full moon, Biehl and five of her grandchildren rested in blankets in the back of their minivan or played games as they prepared to watch“ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’ s Stone.” Nearby, kids tossed footballs while young couples relaxed in lawn chairs for a date night.
“ It’ s so fun and very nostalgic,” Biehl said as she waited in line at the concession stand with her 12-year-old grandson, Lucas.“ They love doing this, the same
10 Community Life