Drive in movies are something that many people in our modern times have never had the pleasure of experiencing. The Pop Up : Drive In : Stay Safe in Astoria, Oregon is aiming to change that, all from the safety and comfort of your own vehicle.
Due to current social and physical distancing mandates, movie theaters across the country are shuttered, but the American Legion/Old Safeway Parking Lot has been spruced up and the City of Astoria has also generously allowed electric hookup for the pop-up event to create a drive in experience. With the help of local venues and a mobile projector on The Joy Train, a recognized and adored Astoria icon, they will be rotating showings beginning at the American Legion/Old Safeway Parking Lot on Thursday and Friday nights.
TICKETS ARE FREE FOR ALL, and donations are gladly accepted, 100% of which will go to the UNITED WAY COVID emergency community fund.
As long as the weather is decent, the movies are expected to start May 7, 8, and 9 with screenings at 8:40 p.m.
Kicking off the Pop Up : Drive In : Stay Safe events in Astoria, Oregon is a new 30 minute documentary, Helmet John : Astoria is Home, the latest project by Emmy award-winning cameraman Jeff Daly. This docu-film takes a deeper look at a familiar Astoria citizen that many pass by without a second glance. Building upon his life experiences and advocacy for the indigent and mentally ill, Daly’s latest project highlights Helmet John, one of Astoria’s most beloved and well-known ambassadors. John is also the city's most recognizable homeless figure, and this film tells the story of heartbreak and mystery -- the kind of mystery that creates urban legends.
Join the Astoria community for this film, explore what it means to be homeless, and hear John’s views during the COVID-19 crisis as we ponder our relationships, responses and obligations to humanity.
Though the traditional snack shack of yesteryear isn’t available, Pop Up : Drive In : Stay Safe DOES have the next best thing. Food trucks and local restaurateurs coordinating snacks and meals to order ahead of time, starting with Coffee OR Waffle. Bridge & Tunnel Bottle Shop will be offering a mystery drive in special. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own snacks and beverages with them.
Upon confirmation of each venue, there will be a limited amount of ticket reservations released for each evening and venue. Sign up for more information and to receive updates on the Pop Up : Drive In : Stay SafeFacebook page.
Information and Tickets:
Please park by 8:30pm. Screenings begin at 8:40pm (time will adjust with season, and due to weather)
Danielle Denham is an award-winning and published photographer who loves her home state of Oregon. Recently she was featured on a regional-Emmy-winning episode of Oregon Field Guide, and is currently writing a book on Abandoned Oregon. When she isn't out and about exploring for derelict places to photograph, you may find her hanging around in Eugene Oregon with Tyler Willford and his two awesome kiddos.
For years, Oregon burger lovers have watched the state's In-N-Out expansion with excitement, and now another highly anticipated location is ready to welcome its first customers. The California-based burger chain has officially announced that its new Hillsboro...
SALEM, Ore. — Oregon officials gathered at the State Capitol Monday for the unveiling of former Governor Kate Brown's official portrait, revealing what many historians now consider the most recognizable symbol of Oregon's COVID era: the legendary Christmas snow globe...
PORTLAND, Ore. — In what officials are calling a major step forward for aquatic inclusivity, Oregon announced this week that all public swimming pools will be required to employ at least one certified drag queen lifeguard during Pride Month. The new program,...
PORTLAND, Ore. — Standing alongside state and federal law enforcement partners at a packed press conference Tuesday morning, Multnomah County officials proudly announced the successful completion of Portland's ten-year strategy for addressing mental illness by doing...
Oregon's absolutely insane and controversial Initiative Petition 28 has sparked fierce debate across the state, but now the conversation is reaching far beyond Oregon's borders. This week, rock musician, longtime hunting advocate, and outdoors television personality...
One of the most frequently used roadside stopping points along Oregon's southern coast is about to undergo a significant change. Beginning June 22, visitors heading to Secret Beach and portions of the Oregon Coast Trail will no longer be able to park at a well-known...
Six years ago this month, Fauna Frey left her home in Dexter and headed toward Southern Oregon. She never came back. What began as a trip to visit friends and honor the memory of her recently deceased brother has become one of Oregon's most haunting unsolved missing...
Hundreds of Oregonians hit the Clackamas River this weekend for a "Float for Freedom" event aimed at pushing back against what many (including ourselves) see as yet another unnecessary fee imposed by Salem politicians. Armed with kayaks, paddle boards, rafts, and...
There are certain places in Oregon that feel almost like a rite of passage. Crater Lake. Multnomah Falls. The Oregon Coast. And then there are the wonderfully weird places that generations of Oregonians remember from childhood. For many of us, the Oregon Vortex falls...
A months-long investigation into alleged online contact with a teenager has resulted in the arrest of a Wilsonville man, and investigators believe there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. The Linn County Sheriff's Office announced that 34-year-old...
A recent black bear sighting near Spencer Butte has wildlife officials encouraging Lane County residents to take a few simple steps that can help prevent future conflicts between people and bears. For many Oregonians, seeing a black bear is a reminder of what makes...
PORTLAND, Ore. — Wildlife officials say they've confirmed the first documented sighting of an Extremely Rare Portland Seagull, a subspecies long believed to exist only in stories told by brewery owners, baristas, and people who somehow manage to turn every...