The Wave of the Future Drive-In Theaters: A Great Entertainment Option for Families of Multiples By Jack Ruggiero, Triplet Dad Originally printed in August 2003 At a recent North Shore Dads Night Out, the topic of movies and kids came up. Some of the stories were stories of success, and some of absolute horror. And then, I thought back to my childhood days and my own experiences at the movies… The open-air theater, also known as the drive-ins. It seems right that I should have a healthy appreciation for drive- ins since my parents met each other at the long-gone Suffolk Downs Drive-In in East Boston in the late 50s. My father worked in the concession stand and my mother worked in the ticket office as a ticket girl. Later, as I was growing up, my father's part-time job was as a manager at the concession stand at the Revere Drive-In Theater until that closed. My brothers, our friends and I went to the show with my father almost every night so my mother always had her nights free. My father would park the car right outside the concession stand so that he could keep an eye on us. I remember watching Star Wars every night for two months straight one summer when it first came out. When I was 14, I got a job working in the concession stands on weekends, and doing odds and ends during the week. We all took it hard when the Revere Drive-In closed. All the employees got together and buried a time capsule in the ground before the Showcase Cinema was built (My contribution was an audio cassette of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," in case you were wondering) and my father even scavenged wood from the old screen and built a picnic table we still use today. As I got older, got my license and a car, I would go to the Route 114 Drive-In in Middleton and the Edgemere Drive-In in Shrewsbury for many years. Can you believe I even went to a drive-in on my honeymoon? Unfortunately, most of the drive-ins did not survive the 1980s, but there are still great ones around to visit… You just have to look for them. Two of my favorites are: Mendon Twin Drive-In, Mendon 45 Milford Street (Route 16) (less than 5 min. from Southwick's Zoo and nearest drive-in to Boston metro area (40 miles)) 508-473-4958, www.mendondrivein.com Rustic Tri-View Drive-In, North Smithfield, RI Route 146, Eddie Dowling Highway (midway between Providence & Woonsocket) 401-769-7601 Drive-ins are making a comeback, or so I'd like to think. They sell out every weekend. For families of triplets and quads, this popularity is a very good thing – maybe more will reopen. The cost of a visit to the local movie theater is reason enough to try this "indoor theater" alternative, usually around $15 per carload. The drive-ins of today now play first run movies, usually the same week they are released. You listen to the movies by tuning in any radio to a particular "station" – they tell you which one corresponds with which screen at the entrance. Most drive-ins now have more than one movie screen so you have available a variety of movies to watch. If you sit yourself the right way, you could even watch more than one screen at a time. They still show two movies per screen, starting at dusk. Get there early, especially if you have a van or SUV as they only dedicate so many rear parking spots to these oversized vehicles. Usually, the first movie is a family- friendly one (sometimes both are), and with a little luck, the kiddies will be asleep in time for the parents to watch the second. Kids movies are always a big draw, so that's another reason to get there early. Some drive-ins have playgrounds, but it doesn't seem to matter much whether they do or not. Every time we go, kids and parents are having a blast walking around, eating, playing catch and throwing Frisbees before their movies start. Some drive-ins, like Mendon, will even let you bring your well-behaved dog on a leash. Since the babies were born last September, we haven't been to the drive-ins, but before, we always liked to make a big party out of going every summer. We'd throw lawn chairs and blankets in the back of our Explorer, and an old sleeper-sofa mattress into the back of my brother's pick-up. My wife would pack a cooler of soda, beer, chips, candy, sandwiches, etc., (NO BBQs/grills – they're not that cool yet) that we, along with my brother and his kids, would really enjoy. The kids, done playing and now in their pajamas, all sat on the mattress in the truck bed (parked backwards, facing the screen) and would usually be asleep before the first movie was even halfway through. We all really enjoyed those times together and can't wait to return and bring my own kids soon. The drive-ins usually spray for mosquitoes, but I still recommend either bringing or buying your own repellent coil from the concession stand. And while we're back on the topic of concession stands, the drive-in food of today is great. They still have all the usual hamburgers and hotdogs, soda and popcorn, but they also have things like tacos, taco salads, burritos, jalapeno poppers, watermelon, ice cream sundaes (real ones, not Hoodsies), lime rickys, root beer floats, and clam fritters. At Mendon, the most expensive thing on the menu is a chicken basket for $4.95, but mostly everything is in the $2-3 range. Lastly, if you should experience any type of car trouble, expect the staff to offer helpful assistance in getting you back on the road. The Explorer wouldn't start once a few years ago and they were fast and friendly, and quickly gave our battery a jump. As a father of triplets, I see the appeal of drive-ins with new eyes. It's cheap. It's fun. You don't need a sitter. Kids can get out of their seats. Kids can make noise (before the movie starts, anyway). You can afford to bring your kids' friends. You can kick back and enjoy a beer. Who cares if someone drops the popcorn? Drive-ins are the wave of my future! Take your family to enjoy the drive-in experience soon! And, if you see a guy with his wife and three happy kids in the back of a pick-up truck, stop and say hi. Leicester Drive-In, Leicester 1675 Main Street (W. Main) 508-892-4400 Tri-Town Drive-In, Lunenberg 3 Youngs Road, off West Main Street 978-345-5062 Northfield Drive-In Theatre, Northfield At MA/NH border on Route 63 (Hinsdale Road) 603-239-4054 Wellfleet Drive-In, South Wellfleet 51 Route 6 (at Eastham town line) 508-349-7176 Weirs Drive-In, Laconia, NH Route 3 at Weirs Beach 603-366-4723 Milford Twin Drive-In, Milford, NH Off Route 101-A West (on Elm Street) 603-673-4090 Meadows Drive-In Theatre, Woodsville, NH South Court Street - Route 135 (aka: River Road), 35 miles north of Hanover 603-747-2608 For more information on these and other drive-in theaters all over the U.S., check out www.driveinmovie.com