America's Lost Pastime

When I was still a reporter I wrote a feature story on the lost American pastime, the drive-ins. As I look back, I think it was perhaps one of the most fun stories I've written. Something about the drive-ins has always seemed to me a symbol of a time past where families could get together for simple fun at a low cost. You can go in your pajamas, see two movies, and eat some of the greasiest food on Earth, and all at a reasonable price. There used to be thousands of these things all over the world, today less than 500 exist, only 4 in Massachusetts.

On a recent weekend night I dragged Chris to his first drive-in theater, and one of the only remaining in New England. They are a dying industry, left in the dust by DVD and On Demand.
We visit the Northfield Drive-in, right over the border in Winchester, NH. It was small, but incredibly intimate and well-kept. We saw a double-feature of "Iron Man" and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

It was a warm summer night, and brought memories of my childhood of sitting in the back of a car covered in DEET and watching Dancing Hot Dogs. My family loved the drive-in and still do.
Here is a little peak at the Northfield Drive-In experience .

If you are reading this, support the drive-ins. Bring your family, sneak in a bottle of wine, go with your friends. This is a dying culture that should be preserved.



Above: What an action-filled double feature. Both movies were much better than the reviews. Critics expect too much from films like this
Above: Northfield was in great shape compared to most of the suffering drive-ins.
Above: It was a packed house that night.
Above: This is where the action happens.
Above: "Go Indy, Go!"



Above: And now for your viewing pleasure, one of the many wonderful intermission commercials often still played at the drive-ins.