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.
THIS SYMBOL INDICATES THAT YOU CAN
CLICK FOR THE CURRENT MOVIE SCHEDULE.
- Mansfield Center (Tolland County) Connecticut
Mansfield Drive-in: 860-423-4441
located on Stafford Road @ Junction of 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 & fall. All 3 screens are lit seven nites in peak season.
Admission: $9.00 adults; $5 for children 4-11; free under 3
(note that pets are not permitted on the Drive-in premises).
Wednesday nite is carload nite (during peak season): $18/car.
The Mansfield is also the home of one of Connecticut's largest
Flea Markets; Saturday & Sunday (April-November) 8am-3pm;
during which time their snack bar serves breakfast & lunch.
- 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. This is a gem of
a Drive-in experience, which preserves the presence of
the Past, allowing still a glimpse of the once-common rural
small-town American Drive-in. Movie audio is now provided
with a localized radio broadcast (87.9 FM) for its solo screen,
lit with a double-feature on weekends in spring & fall, and then
four nites a week (Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun) during peak season. Open:
April — October. Admission: $8 per person for ages 12 and up;
$5 for children of ages 6-12; kids aged 5&under admitted free.
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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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