BY CARLA SLAVEY

Drive-In movie theaters have seen a lot of changes over the years – the look of the cars that roll through their gates , the switch to digital projectors , and the changing landscape for the business itself – almost literally , since skyrocketing land prices make it difficult to justify owning a large , flat area of prime property just to be used for a weekend hangout spot .

But while some may see a Drive-In as a part of a by-gone era , there are a few holdouts still on the map .

Take 27 Twin Drive-In , for example .

Started by Brenda and the late Harry Roaden in 1967 , 27 Twin Drive-In will be celebrating its 55th year of showing movies , serving

popcorn and entertaining families , according to Scott Roaden , advertising director and son of Brenda and Harry .

Brenda is now the sole owner of the Drive-In , while Scott ' s brother , Dwayne , serves as manager .

The drive-in can serve around 450 vehicles , and it shows a different doublefeature on each of its two screens – hence the " twin " in 27 Twin Drive-In ' s name .

Scott Roaden said that when the Drive-In began , it had only one screen . The second was added around 1978-1979 , prompting the addition of the word " Twin " to its name .

During the pandemic , when other entertainment venues had to shut down due to social distancing , the Drive-In was the perfect

place to go . Folks not only get to stretch out in their own vehicles , they stayed safely distanced from everyone else .

" We became kind of the goto entertainment venue when sitting close to someone became an uncomfortable situation ," Roaden said .

So what keeps people coming back ? Roaden said it ' s mainly due to the Drive-In being a consistent experience .

" It costs a lot to be entertained , and you don ' t want to take a chance on something that might not be as consistent ," he said .

Plus , the Drive-In may not cost as much as other forms of entertainment .

Roaden said ticket prices are $ 8 for anyone 12 years old and older , $ 3 for kids aged 5 to 11 , and free for everyone 4 years old or younger .

The cost , along with the

family atmosphere , make it a great place to bring your young family .

And , you can ' t discount the feel-good nostalgia factor as well , he said .

" I think that people are looking for a similar good time , a nostalgic experience that ties them to their childhood experiences and lets them share those types of experiences with the next generation ," he said . " We have young families that come and get the kids out , we have date nights and first dates routinely . People are proposing to their girlfriends or boyfriends , and people are coming back saying ' I proposed to my wife 35 years ago right here .'

" Then we have the grandparents that are bringing the grandkids – or the grandkids are bringing