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.
There are certain allegations that should stop every Oregonian in their tracks. This is one of them. A Lane County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested following an investigation into an alleged inappropriate online relationship with a minor living outside the United...
As firefighters continue working long shifts across a smoke-covered Oregon, the federal government has agreed to help cover the cost of battling three major wildfires. Two other requests, including one tied to a fire complex that grew to nearly 300,000 acres, were...
Across Oregon, wildfires are often described through numbers. Acres burned. Containment percentages. Evacuation zones. Engines, crews and aircraft assigned to the flames. But on the Warm Springs Reservation, the Bench Fire is being measured in family homes, treasured...
For thousands of people traveling through eastern Oregon, one of the state’s most important highways became eerily quiet overnight. A roughly 70-mile section of Interstate 84 between Baker City and Ontario was closed in both directions for about five hours as the...
I’ll be honest, this is making my stomach turn. I can’t fully express the anger and sadness I feel watching a defenseless dog apparently being punched by someone who should have been protecting it. Salem police are now trying to identify the man seen in the video,...
Central Oregon entered the final weekend of July under a sky filled with smoke, flashing emergency alerts and the unsettling knowledge that several dangerous wildfires were growing at the same time. This article is based on reporting from OPB journalists Joni Auden...
There’s something magical about spending a summer day on the Oregon Coast with your feet in the sand, the sound of waves rolling in, and a little friendly competition. If you're looking for a fun family outing this August, one of Lincoln City’s most cherished...
A sweeping Oregon initiative that could have upended hunting, fishing, farming, ranching, and animal agriculture across the state has officially failed to qualify for the November 2026 ballot. The Oregon Secretary of State’s Elections Division completed its signature...
A heartwarming story shared by Caught The Fire Bug is shining a well-deserved spotlight on a Prineville restaurant that went above and beyond for firefighters working across Central Oregon. Caught The Fire Bug, a wildfire news platform created by a former wildland...
The Akawa Butte Fire continues to test the strength of the Sisters community as firefighters work tirelessly to keep one of Oregon's most dangerous wildfires from reaching homes and businesses. The lightning-caused fire, which started on July 16, has now burned more...
Oregon’s wildfire season has taken a sudden and dangerous turn. After a relatively mild beginning to summer, a punishing combination of dry vegetation, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds has ignited or rapidly expanded fires across several regions of the...
Twice each year, Oregonians take part in a familiar ritual. Phones and computers usually handle the change quietly, while oven clocks, dashboards and bedside alarms remain an hour off until someone finally gets around to fixing them. Congress has once again moved...
