Cherity (our Super Mom), learned about the PAC Picture Show on Facebook and reserved us a spot – at Newport’s pop up drive-in theater. We were fortunate to attend the opening night with a presentation of the iconic Raiders of the Lost Ark. Three months of little activity outside of the house: something to get excited about! Big shout out to the PAC, OCCA and the person whose brain ignited this retro cool concept. Overall, we had a super fun night!
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The Newport Performing Arts Center has set up an easy to navigate website that will walk you through the process of getting your reservation. Due to the popularity – I would recommend that you make a reservation. I have retraced the process on the PAC website, and it seems as little tricky (for me anyway) to make the reservation: note that you need to click on the picture of the movie you want watch to navigate to the reservation page with “vehicle type”. (http://www.pacpictureshow.com/june-20-vehicle-type)
Both of our family vehicles fit the “SUV” category. As a result, our reservation placed us in the back row. Makes sense because larger vehicles will block smaller vehicles. While the PAC parking lot does have a slight incline and the movie screen is mounted about as high on the Performing Art Center as possible – the screen is not large like a commercial drive in theater. This video should illustrate.
My vision is not the best and I am currently wearing an older glasses prescription. I found myself straining to see the finer details on the screen. If you are like me, I might recommend reserving your evening in the “sedan” category. Closer proximity will provide a more cinematic experience. Justin Gleeson, the PAC’s lead technician has really nailed the audio. Sound was full spectrum and dynamic.
Not surprisingly, we are seeing a drive-in revival of sorts during this time. Google it and you will see what I mean. For example, “For Drive-In Theaters, an Unexpected Revival A retro tradition get a (temporary) boost from social-distancing edicts.” According to the article “Every state has a drive-in movie theater except Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana and North Dakota.” Apparently, there are about 305 left in the United States.
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Last year while heading to Portland, we passed The Vintages Trailer Resort and then Newburg’s 99-W Drive-In. At the time, we thought it might be cool to stay a weekend at The Vintages and catch a drive-in movie at the 99. This drive-in was a new concept for Reed and we were looking forward to introducing him to the experience. According to Wiki “The drive-in’s peak popularity came in the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly in rural areas, with over 4,000 drive-ins spread across the United States in 1958.”
I hope more families in our community get the opportunity to enjoy our “parking lot theater”. The audio quality was excellent. We brought our popcorn and treats: bringing your own food is a big savings from a traditional theater experience. Occasionally, the window fogged up. And, it was a little late for our team. If we had toothpicks, I might have used them to prop my eye lids open! What a great time, though. Sharing the experience, socially distanced, next to the ocean, under the stars.
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Please consider making a financial contribution, if possible. Your donation in any amount supports the OCCA and helps us to fulfill our mission of celebrating, promoting, and developing community arts. Donate $15 or more and receive a reserved parking space as a ‘thank you’ for supporting the arts on the Oregon Coast!