Project Drive-In Launches

SACO - In less than 3 months, the majority of American drive-in theaters will face closure with the film industries switch from film to digital technologies. Through a national contest by Honda, one Maine drive-in is trying to hold on.

Honda just announced a national contest where drive-in theaters from across the country will compete for 5 digital projectors. These digital projectors, that are estimated around $80,000, will save these businesses from going under.

The Saco Drive-In is the only Maine theater competing in the contest that enables anybody to vote once per day for the next month through September.

"A vote for the Saco Drive-In is as American as apple pie," says owner Ry Russell who hopes to use social media to mobilize support. "We have one of the largest followings on Facebook for drive-ins in the country."

Honda came out and filmed part of an informational commercial at the Saco Drive-In over the summer with interviews from Russell, Saco Rep. Justin Chenette, and Camille Smalley of the Saco Museum.

"All we need is a click of a mouse from each and every one of you to save an important piece of our area's economic engine and cultural heritage," says Saco Rep. Justin Chenette.

People can visit thesacodrivein.com/projectdrivein to cast their vote and learn more about the project.

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History of the Saco Drive-In:

A Saco, Maine attraction since 1939, the Saco Drive-In (originally the Motor-In Theatre) celebrates its 74th season this year. Since its inception, the Saco Drive-In has been a local, family owned business, originally operated by Italian immigrant Eugene V. Boragine. In 1909, Boragine immigrated to the United States via Ellis Island, and followed his American Dream from New York to Saco and started Maine’s first open air theatre on the “Avenue of America” known as Route 1. America’s second oldest still-operational drive-in entertains sold out crowds of film fans from May through October, a vote for the Saco Drive-In is as American as apple pie! 

Click FMI on how to vote and to watch commercial