 |
| Leif
Zurmuhlen |
It’s
summertime, and with that comes barbeques, mini-golf, camping,
fishing, outdoor concerts at SPAC and yes, for many, drive-in
movies.
And although many people attend the drive-in maybe once or
twice each summer, it is clear that there is a big difference
between the once-a-year people, like myself, and those who
consider this summertime event a weekend tradition. If you
are like me, you may feel like a drive-in movie amateur compared
to the drive-in connoisseurs.
From
the moment that you pull into the lot, you can tell who means
business. One way to separate the men from the boys is by
the size of the speaker that can be seen either stacked in
the back of one’s pickup truck or hanging out of the trunk.
The more experienced the moviegoer, the bigger the speaker.
As for me, my car radio is broken, and I am left wrestling
with the portable speaker that either doesn’t work or won’t
clip onto my car window. Once I do get the speaker adjusted
just so, the dilemma begins: It is either too hot to stay
in the car with the windows closed, which is what is required
for the speaker to stay on the window, or there are too many
mosquitoes getting in with the windows down.
Which brings us to the next clear difference between the regulars
and errr . . . the people like me. Not only do the regulars
have sleeping bags, coolers, lawn chairs and snacks galore,
but they’ve also remembered to bring citronella candles and
bug spray. While I am hot and scratchy (stuck in my car because
I forgot to bring a chair, or even a blanket), batting away
the bugs, the regulars are calm and comfy and bug-free
Once the feature is about to start, those in the know start
honking their horns. I am not sure if this is to warn those
in the restroom that they are about to miss the beginning
of the movie or if it is just a tradition, but without fail,
everyone joins in. Once the honking stops, the movie starts.
This is when I try to hone in on those with the experience
and expertise. I may not get their beach chairs, but I can
reap the benefits of their citronella and Bose speakers.
And while the picture, the sound, and even the seating, is
not always the greatest, seeing a movie outdoors, under the
stars does hold a certain charm you just can’t get anywhere
else (let’s face it, it’s not all about the visual and sound
quality at the drive-in). Just make sure to douse yourself
in deet.
—Nancy
Guerin
|
Columns
& Opinions
