Drive-in revived for Heritage Days

McCOOK, Neb. -- Drive-In movies are returning to McCook during Heritage Days.

Thanks to a widespread community effort, led by Gavin Harsh, the special showing is planned Saturday night, Sept. 26, at a new location. The movies will be beamed on to a huge, 800-square foot screen which will be placed on the east end of the paved parking lots in front of the former Alco store and the Victory Christian Academy buildings.

The parking lots, which are now the property of American Agriculture Laboratory and Cornerstone Fellowship, are located between West Fifth and West Seventh streets across the street north of Hillcrest Nursing Home.

"The lots are ideal as a showing area because they are sloped and paved," Harsh said. "We are grateful to Kevin and Christine Grooms, the owners of American Ag Lab, and the Cornerstone Fellowship for allowing us to use the parking lots for the movies."

There will be two different movies shown during the drive-in event. The first, "Big Hero 6," will begin at 8 p.m. The super-hero comedy film, released in 2014, has been hugely popular with younger viewers and families.

The second showing of the night, beginning at 10:15 p.m., will be "The Blind Side." The popular movie, starring Sandra Bullock, tells the story of a caring family who helped a traumatized boy become an All-American football player.

Those attending the drive-in movies are asked to enter on the West Seventh Street side and exit to the south on C Street. Free will donations will be accepted as the cost of admission, with contributions of $10 or more suggested to help cover the cost of bringing the screen and the shows to McCook. Space for seating will be made available up front for families who bring chairs and blankets.

Harsh is also encouraging classic car enthusiasts to bring their cars to the drive-in event, saying the eventual aim is to combine the drive-in showings with a cruise night.

Harsh, a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said he had lots of help bringing the drive-in movies to town for the third straight year. "The McCook Optimists have stepped up once again to provide volunteers and sponsorship support."

He also expressed appreciation to the event's six corporate sponsors: Community Hospital, Crop Production Services, Great Plains Communication, McCook National Bank, U-Save Pharmacy & Medical Supply and Walmart. Also lending support were members of the Youth Change Reaction, who helped with the arrangements.