This could be the final year for movies on the big screen at Jericho Drive-in if a new fundraising campaign is unsuccessful.
Last summer, Jericho Drive-in owners Mike and Lisa Chenette lost their bid to win a new digital projection machine through a competition sponsored by Honda Motor Company. Drive-ins and independent movie theaters are being forced to upgrade to digital projection machines as the movie industry phases out the use of 35mm film.
“The drive-in should be open in a few weeks,” said Lisa Chenette. “We did find out we will be able to get prints for this one final year.”
The Chenettes are now starting a fundraising campaign on their own. They now have one year to raise the funds for a new digital projector or face closure next year. Depending on the equipment needed, the projectors can cost between $70,000 and $100,000.
“The day we open our doors, we plan on doing some type of fundraising every day we’re open,” said Lisa Chenette. The couple is hoping customers will be willing to donate some extra funds when they pay for admission or at the snack booth. They also plan on holding special movie screenings where the money will go directly toward the purchase of the projector.
Mike Chenette said they hope to start a social media campaign and will also be seeking ideas or donations through the drive-in’s mailing list.
“The drive-ins are a part of America. I would hate to see go away,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and I’d like to see Jericho drive-in be here forever.”
The drive-in has been a Glenmont institution since it first opened in 1957. In 1995, it was purchased by Mike Chenette, who had saved up for years in order to own his own business.
The couple added the ice cream stand in 2007 and the next year purchased a brand new 40-by-90-foot screen. They are still in the process of paying back both investments.
Lisa Chenette said that although she has been told the drive-in will still be able to get movies on film this year, she is already see the effects of the switch. Typically drive-ins show two movies at each showing, which is the main allure for families on a budget looking for summer fun with their children.
Each night one movie is usually a new release, with the other being a bit older. Since it is getting harder to find movies on film, theaters who haven’t made the switch are holding on to their reels longer, meaning it is getting harder for the Chenettes to find those older movies for the second show.
“We’ve always been a double feature drive-in. We always have two shows, even though you’re really only paying for the one,” said Lisa Chenette. “I hope to continue that all year and hope we don’t have to go down to one show, but we’ll see what happens.”
The Chenettes said they were glad for the community’s support in the last competition, but were disappointed they didn’t win.
“The drive-ins we were up against had 15,000 ‘likes’ on their Facebook page,” said Lisa Chenette. I thought we’re doing great with 3,000 ‘likes,’ but they were from towns and places where that’s the only thing people can do on the weekends.”
This is the 20 year anniversary of the Chenette’s ownership of the drive-in. The couple said they hope it is also not their last.
Anyone with fundraising ideas, or who would like to donate, can do so through the drive-in website at www.jerichodrive-in.com.