SOUTHINGTON–Fuel up your cars and buy some popcorn!
The Southington Drive-In is getting ready to open for its sixth season.
The community owned, volunteer operated venue is one of just three left in the state, and the entrance is located at 995 Meriden-Waterbury Tpk. in Southington. But besides seeing a fun film, heading to Southington helps out the local community.
Over the first five seasons proceeds from ticket sales have helped raise more than $72,000 for local non-profit civic groups and organizations. Because the theater is owned by the city, the money all stays local.
The Southington Drive-In first opened in 1955, but it then closed in 2002. In 2004 residents voted to buy the property it was on and expand the neighboring Recreation Park, and the town reopened the theater in 2010.
Southington residents pay $10 per car, while non-residents pay $15. However, each night there is a neighbor–a nearby town’s residents can come to the theater and pay the Southington fee.
Walk-ins pay $2 per person, but the theater advises you to bring chairs and blankets to sit on.
There are food vendors on site if you don’t have time to pick up some snacks beforehand.
If you’re in your car, tune your radio to 89.9 FM. The gate opens at 6 p.m., and the movies start shortly after sunset. If you get to the theater after the gates close, or if the lot is full, you can park at Recreation Park off of South End Road.
Here’s the full schedule of movies:
Saturday June 6: Frozen (neighbor: Bristol)
Saturday June 13: Jaws — Connecticut Open House Day, free popcorn per car (neighbor: New Britain)
Saturday June 20: Despicable Me (neighbor: Cheshire)
Saturday June 27: Hook (neighbor: Meriden)
Saturday July 4: The Sandlot (neighbor: Wolcott)
Saturday July 11: Swiss Family Robinson (neighbor: Waterbury)
Saturday July 18: How to Train Your Dragon (neighbor: Cromwell)
Saturday July 25: Madagascar (neighbor: Wallingford)
Saturday August 1: Elf (neighbor: Plainville)
Saturday August 8: James and the Giant Peach (neighbor: Newington)
Saturday August 15: The Waterboy (neighbor: Farmington)
Saturday August 22: The Incredibles (neighbor: North Haven)
Saturday August 29: Fidning Nemo (neighbor: Middletown)
Saturday September 5: Cinderella (2015) (neighbor: Berlin)
For more information you can visit the theater’s website.
