- Fitchburg (Worcester County) Massachusetts
see: Lunenburg, Masschusetts
Photo: William Watson
- Gardner (Worcester County) Massachusetts
Mohawk Drive-in: GONE
located on Route 2A (Airport Road)
The Mohawk was a solo-screen Drive-in that opened back in 1950
and had accommodated approximately 500 cars, and which was
open seasonally, April - September, usually screening double
features each nite, with occasional triples; and which in its
later years charged admission by the carload ($12 per car).
The property has been sold and developed with new housing.
Photo: William Watson
- Leicester (Worcester County) Massachusetts
Leicester Drive-in: 508-892-4400
located at 1675 Main Street (W.Main)
The Leicester is a two screen Drive-in open seasonally, with
double features on each of their screens for up to 500 cars.
Admission to either screen (and 2 films) is $15 per carload.
- Lunenburg (Worcester County) Massachusetts
Tri-Town Drive-in: 978-345-5062
located at 3 Youngs Road, off West Main Street
The Tri-Town is a large single-screen Drive-in for 800 cars,
screening double features and occasional triple features; open
seasonally, April thru September; charges by the carload ($13).
Photo: David Gage
- Mendon (Worcester County) Massachusetts
Mendon Twin Drive-in: 508-473-4958 SnackBar: 473-5840
located at 45 Milford Street (Route 16); * The Mendon is
the nearest Drive-in to the Boston metro area (40 miles).
The Mendon opened in 1954 with a single screen during the boom years
for American Drive-ins, and was one of 58 outdoor cinemas operating in
the state of Massachusetts at that point in time. Thirty-three years later,
the Mendon was acquired by new owners who - in a few words or less -
have polished this jewel of a Drive-in to the extent that it is one of those
things better seen than described, and serves the cause of all remaining
Drive-ins by being one of the best examples of enshrining these cultural
and nostalgic icons as an overall entertainment experience, which will
undoubtedly attract new devotees; in other words: it is preservation as
a self-fulfilled prophecy. The Mendon added a second screen was in 1998,
and has parking for up to 800 cars. We won't spoil the fun by listing all the
clever nostalgic flourishes that have been added to the concession area;
like we said: it's so much better seen than described. The menu is also
colorfully eclectic, going far beyond the usual snackbar fare, and includes
a popular selection of Mexican specialties (the snackbar itself has become
a destination among the locals). The Mendon is open seasonally, April thru
September; wknds only until mid-May; 7 nites during peak season. Audio
for movie soundtracks is provided by AM & FM-Stereo vicinity broadcast.
Admission to the Mendon Drive-in Theatre is charged by the carload ($15).
Photo: William Watson
- Northfield (Franklin County) Massachusetts
Northfield Drive-in theatre: 603-239-4054
at MA/NH border on Route 63 (Hinsdale Road)
This is one of two Drive-ins that we index under more than
1 state, being right on the line between Massachusetts and
New Hampshire (although it is technically and mostly within
the state of New Hampshire). The Northfield made a cameo
appearance as a wartime period location in the motion pic-
The Cider House Rules, although, in actuality, this Drive-in
opened 4 years after WW-II had ended (2002 is Northfield's
53rd consecutive season). They screen double features,
and still have traditional speakers in addition to AM/FM
vicinity radio broadcasting for the movie soundtrack.
Admission: $7 for adults; $3.50 children under 12
Photo: William Watson
- Shrewsbury (Worcester County) Massachusetts
Edgemere Drive-in:
REOPENING SUMMER 2002!
located on Route 20 -- off of Route 9 --
(east from Worcester, or west coming from Boston)
With regret, we announced that what had once been the home
of the biggest Drive-in screen in the state of Massachusetts -
120' wide (damaged in a 1988 storm, and replaced with an 80'),
was just a bulldozer away from being a 153,000 sq.ft distribution
center for Home Depot. The Drive-in, which opened in 1955, had
been open seasonally every year, through September 2001, with
a capacity for up to 1,000 cars on the spacious 36-acre property.
 Subsequent to 11th-Hour developments .. (very fortuitously,
the Town ultimately rejected Home Depot's affections for the site),
it now appears that reports of the Drive-in's demise were premature,
and in fact, preparations are underway to re-light the screen at this
venerable picture show sometime late in June of Season 2002.
- South Wellfleet (Barnstable County) Massachusetts
Wellfleet Drive-in: 508-349-7176
located at 51 Route 6 (at Eastham town line)
The very last Drive-in on Cape Cod is something of a shrine,
preserving a little bit of everything that those old enough
to remember do remember about the classic Drive-ins ..
likewise, it's a great venue for initiating anyone that
hasn't ever experienced a great American Drive-in.
The massive 100-foot wide screen at the Wellfleet is
one of the largest in New England and has remained
lit since the late 50's heyday of American Drive-ins ..
for 44 consecutive seasons. There is still a playground
and early 60's vintage 18-hole miniature golf on premise,
plus traditional Drive-in speakers for each and every one
of the 700 cars that can park here. The movie soundtrack is
also provided on FM (89.3) vicinity broadcast if you want to
get back to the Future. The Wellfleet is open seasonally, from
mid-May to mid-October; wknds only early & late in the season;
open seven nites from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There's a full
sit-down restaurant in addition to the traditional snackbar, for
those arriving early. Admission: $6.50 adults; $4 for ages 4-11.
- Sutton (Worcester County) Massachusetts
Sutton Drive-in Theatre:
DARK
located at 110 Worcester-Providence Tnpk (Rte.146)
*
originally built in 1947, and it's still pretty much intact ..
question is: will it be the next Drive-in to be revived,
or the state of Massachusetts' next WALMART ?
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