LEHIGHTON, Pa. — From the crackle of popcorn to the winding of 35-millimeter film, it was opening night at The Mahoning Drive-In Theater for the 75th year in a row.
“This is a celebration tonight guys, you’re here for the fun, you’re here for the magic, and we’re gonna give it to you,” said theater owner Virgil Cardamone in a radio broadcast as fans arrived Friday evening.
Cardamone says opening night comes a little late this year after the drive-in’s former owner Jeff Mattox passed away unexpectedly.
“We had people reach out to us from all over the world, theater owners industry leaders, studio heads, and it was this mantra of holding on to a piece of the past that is worth holding on to,” said Cardamone.
As the last fully operating 35-millimeter drive-in movie theater in the country, Cardamone says he and his staff knew they had to keep the theater going.
Not just for their man behind the curtain but for the fans who keep coming back.
“It feels like you know because we are honoring him tonight it’s even more special than every other year’s opening night,” said Larissa Bilynskyj.
Since 2017, she and Brian Mecca have made the trip from Philadelphia to the outdoor venue not just for the love of film, but for the people they now see as family.
“We’ve just seen it grow and grow in popularity and more and more people show their passion for film here,” said Bilynskyj.
“I just love being here I love the atmosphere here it’s just a place where everybody can be themselves and have a good time,” said Mecca.
From "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" to "Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory," the drive-in looks keep the nostalgia of cinema alive for another 75 years.