The Drive-in boom here in the Nutmeg State
peaked a decade later than in most of America's
Drive-in states .. by the mid 1960's there were still
more than 40 outdoor cinemas in Connecticut. On the
other hand, since the heyday of Connecticut's Drive-ins,
this state has suffered one of the highest attrition rates
for any of the Drive-in states: a full 95% of its Drive-ins
have gone dark, or have been demolished. But, as onetime
Connecticut resident and showman, P.T. Barnum, was fond
of saying- The Show must go on! And it does, at the two
remaining Drive-ins, which we can support and cherish.
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- Mansfield Center (Tolland County) Connecticut
Mansfield Drive-in: 860-423-4441
located on Stafford Road @ Routes 31/32
The largest of Connecticut's remaining Drive-ins has three
screens and a capacity for parking nearly a thousand cars
(the original screen is the largest of the three: 110' wide).
The Mansfield is lit-up with double features on each screen;
also making a point of showing classic intermission trailers
and devoting at least 1 of their screens to family films only.
Their season runs April thru October; weekends only during
spring and fall; and they're lit-up seven nites peak season
(note that pets are not permitted on the Drive-in premises).
Admission: $6.50 adults; $3 children 3-12; under 3 yrs free;
and on Wednesday nites (during peak season): $12/carload.
The Mansfield is also hosting one of Connecticut's largest
Flea Markets every Sunday (April thru November) 8am-3pm,
during which time their snack bar serves breakfast & lunch.
- Newington (Hartford County) Connecticut
Hartford Drive-in Theatre:
GONE
formerly operating at 2322 Berlin Turnpike
- Pleasant Valley (Litchfield County) Connecticut
Pleasant Valley Drive-in: 860-379-6102
located on County Route 181, off State Rte. 44
OldTimers will remember this cute little Dr'in tucked
away in western CT, as: The Rogers Corners Drive-in.
The smallest of Connecticut's remaining Drive-ins, it
is very pleasantly rural, with a grassy field framed-in
by a stand of tall pines, and which accomodates up to
250 cars in an old fashioned setting; which preserves
the presence of the Past, allowing a glimpse and a fair
sense of the once-common rural American Drive-in. Aside
from necessary nods to and accommodations for modern
audiences {or less-inclined to appreciate the quaintness
or the nostalgic value of retro classic Drive-in audio}, this is
a gem of Drive-in experience. Movie audio is now provided
with a localized radio broadcast (530 AM) for its solo screen
lit with a double feature four nites a week (Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun),
April - September. Admission: $6 per person for ages 12&up;
$2 for children of ages 6-11; kids aged 5&under admitted free.
- Southington (Hartford County) Connecticut
Southington Twin Drive-in:
DARK
located on Meriden - Waterbury Rd (Rte.322);
2 miles east of Exit 28 off the Interstate: I-84,
(¼mi east of Hartford/NewHaven County line).
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If you are aware of any Drive-ins
that we seem to have missed, or
would like to contribute any
information to our efforts,
please use this envelope
to send a letter to us.
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