Robert Nunez is bringing a drive-in theater back to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, at least for one day.

He’s joining the pop-up drive-in phenomenon, as innovative entrepreneurs across the country create fresh entertainment options in the pandemic. This one involves massive screens in unusual places: fairgrounds, Walmart parking lots, and for Nunez’s venture, the grounds of the Lebanon Valley Expo Center.

Nunez, a local businessman, drives by what was an institution in Lebanon for decades: the Key Drive-In. Born in the 1950s during the rise of outdoor theaters, it closed in the mid-’90s as many others did.

“I was always wondering why did it disappear,” Nunez said, and he started to consider bringing one back. “A buddy of mine said he knew someone who rents out the projectors and the screens.”

And that’s how a drive-in will pop up at Lebanon’s expo center on Friday, Sept. 4, showing “Jurassic Park,” complete with dressed-up characters from the movie and a Jeep that was in the film.

More PA pop-ups

Mark Manuel couldn’t imagine a world in which “Ghostbusters,” a movie made in 1984, would be among the top summer films for 2020. 

He’s the CEO of Kilburn Live, a Los Angeles-based company that produces live events all over the country. Live events don’t fit in the pandemic world, so his company partnered with locations across the country to erect pop-up drive-ins. 

One of them opened at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, in Montgomery County, a couple of weeks ago. “Ghostbusters,” “Gremlins” and the “Harry Potter” films are on the itinerary. 

“It’s very Americana. It has a lot of nostalgic feel to it,” Manuel said. He grew up with drive-in theaters, but his 9- and 12-year-olds didn’t. They’re seeing firsthand the fun of outdoor cinema while their parents are reliving their childhood.

More than half of consumers are finding comfort during the pandemic in familiar, nostalgic content, like old music and TV shows, according to Nielsen Music’s research team. So, old movies are on the menu at most of these theaters.

Mid-Town Cinema is showing “ET: The Extra-Terrestrial” later this month at its big outdoor Carpool Cinema, erected at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. 

Across the country, Manuel’s company has opened a dozen outdoor venues with another eight planned by the end of this month. At its Dallas pop-up, Kilburn Live has added a live comedian to the evening’s entertainment, and a magic show is in the works, too. Those will be replicated in all of its venues. 

Food is important, too. Lebanon’s pop-up is planning food vendors, but Nunez has to work with state regulations for safety considerations. Manuel faces the same restrictions, all different depending on the state, but he’s working with local food vendors to feed the carloads of families. His company created a Cinema Pop-Ups app that links to the local food vendor for ordering.

Non-movie entertainment

Garth Brooks had a one-night-only taped concert showing at drive-ins across the country earlier this summer, and more country music stars jumped in after him, filling a piece of the summer concert gap left by the pandemic.

Further taped concerts for drive-ins only haven’t been announced yet.

Coming this fall to Pittsburgh is the Parking Lot Social – a drive-up festival experience with karaoke, bingo, movies and more. Dates are Sept. 2-6. 

A playhouse in Des Moines is doing drive-in live theater, and another is doing a stand-up comedy series that can be watched from a parking lot.

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Where are traditional drive-ins?

Among those pop-up theaters, Pennsylvania still has a long list of tradtional drive-ins. Here are some of them: 

Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre, Orefield (near Allentown): Oldest drive-in operating in the United States, since 1934. 

Sky-Vu Drive-In Theatre, Lykens (in Dauphin County): Built in 1948 and open Friday and Saturday nights (open Sundays on holiday weekends only). Concession stand.

Midway Drive-In Theatre, Mifflintown (in Juniata County): Concession stand and pet friendly.

Cumberland Drive-In Theatre, Newville (in Cumberland County): Opened in 1952. This drive-in takes reservations, with a snack bar and playground.

Point Drive In, Northumberland (in Northumberland County): Concession stand and season passes available.

Becky’s Drive-In, Walnutport (in Northampton County): Previously Route 45 Drive-In, named for its road address and now another route number, opened in 1946. Concession stand, and like most of the drive-ins, has occasional entertainment as well.

The Bar Ann Drive-In, Portage; the Silver Drive-In, Johnstown; and the Hi-Way Drive-In, Carrolltown: These are all in the Johnstown area, all with concession stands.

Haar’s Drive-In Theatre, Dillsburg (near York): Concession stand, occasional Throwback Thursdays with music and movie events, and an auction house on the property as well. 

Sunset Drive In Movie Theater, Waterford (near Erie): Showing movies Friday through Sunday with a flea market on Sundays. Concessions. 

Dependable Drive-in, Moon Township (near Pittsburgh): Built in 1950, it has expanded over the years to four screens. Concession stand.

Evergreen Drive-in Theatre, Mount Pleasant: A three-screen drive-in. Pet friendly. Concession stand and a snack shack. 

Kane Family Drive-in Theatre, Kane (in McKean County): Friday through Sunday and occasionally shows movies in the dead of winter. Concession stand.

Garden Drive In, Hunlock Creek (in Luzerne County): Weekend shows on two screens, concessions and a flea market.

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